TfGM warns of Easter disruption as £150 million programme of improvements to tram network begins

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is urging passengers to plan ahead for their journeys over the Easter weekend as major parts of a £150 million investment into the tram network get underway, with further work planned for later in April.

During the long weekend from Friday 3rd to Monday 6th April, more than 1km of track will be replaced on the Altrincham line. Work will also take place between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, to prepare for full track replacement later in the year.

As a result, there will be no trams on the Altrincham, Eccles and Trafford Park lines all day from Friday 3 to Monday 6 April. The East Didsbury and Airport lines will run to Firswood only. Services on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square. Other tram service changes include Bury – Ashton-under-Lyne and Bury/Victoria – Etihad Campus.

To keep people moving, replacement buses will run between all the affected stops. Anyone using a replacement bus will need a valid Metrolink ticket.

Anyone with a one day Bee bus ticket will also be able to travel on a replacement bus, but passengers will not be able to buy a ticket or pay for the fare on the replacement buses. Frequent Bee Network bus services will also call at bus stops near each tram stop.

Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said:

“The first main upgrades of the year get under way over the Easter weekend, as our £150 million programme to improve our network continues.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to minimise disruption to passengers while we carry out this essential work to ensure our tram network remains reliable, resilient and safe for years to come.

“Staff will be out across the network and replacement buses will call at all affected stops, and I would encourage our passengers to plan ahead using the Bee Network app and website. Our social media channels are also a great way of keeping up to date with all the latest travel information.”

Later in April, on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12, no trams will run between Piccadilly Gardens and Ashton-under-Lyne while the track is repaired.

A further weekend closure on the Ashton line, also for track repairs will take place on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday April 26. On these dates no trams will run between Etihad Campus and Ashton-under-Lyne. Tram services from Eccles (via MediaCityUK) will go as far as Etihad Campus.

Repairs will continue until the autumn at various locations, including Monsall, Newton Heath & Moston, Eccles, Derker and Piccadilly Gardens. Trams will not be able to run on some lines while the work is done.

While the improvements are delivered throughout summer 2026, a temporary timetable is in place, with trams running every 15 minutes all day, with peak services running every 7 minutes at the busiest times on most lines.

Changes will allow the operator to undertake one of the biggest recruitment drives in recent times. Taking on and training up dozens of new drivers will add resilience to the workforce which is key to ensuring trams continue to run on time across the network.