Manchester City Matchday Bus Network set to grow after proving a big hit with fans | OneFootball

The award-winning Matchday Bus Network is set to grow after proving a big hit with Manchester City supporters.

The network launched in February last year, initially providing supporters with direct travel to the Etihad from 60 places across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and the High Peak.  Such has been its popularity over the last 12 months, several routes on the network are now at capacity – with nearly 20 new stops also having been added to the network during that time.

To cater for the growing level of demand, five extra buses will be added to five of the busiest routes, while three more new stops will be added at the Trafford Centre, Horwich and Rochdale. This takes the total number of buses for weekend matchdays to 20 and the number of locations served to 82.   These changes have allowed the creation of five additional routes that will operate for weekend fixtures only (there is currently sufficient capacity for midweek games). The extended network will be in place for the Newcastle game on Saturday (15 February) and continue for all men’s weekend games this season.

Pete Bradshaw, the Club’s Director of Sustainability said: “We are delighted to be expanding our award-winning Matchday Bus Network to help even more fans travel to and from the Etihad Stadium.

"The latest additions, driven by substantial demand on certain routes, demonstrate that the service is working, and has created an enjoyable and efficient travel option for thousands of fans on a matchday.

“The benefit? Fewer cars on the road, with more fans opting for an increasingly sustainable mode of travel on a matchday.

“We continue to look at and invite new ideas for our practical options for active travel, ensuring that each journey to and from the Stadium is a positive part of the matchday experience.”

Regular feedback from fans has been used to shape the matchday network since its launch, demonstrating the responsiveness and accountability of services under a locally controlled network.

Steve Gilholme, Head of Service Delivery said: “The Manchester City Matchday Bus Network has proven a real hit with City fans and is a great example of what we’re trying to achieve with the Bee Network – demonstrating that if you provide people with reliable, affordable and safe public transport options they will use them.

“I am pleased we’re growing the weekend matchday network, with more buses on the busiest routes, new stops added by fans’ request at Rochdale, Horwich and the Trafford Centre.

“After deservedly picking up a gong at last year’s Modeshift Awards, the matchday network is on a winning streak and I am confident we will see it go from strength-to-strength, not just this season but also into the future.”

Patronage on the network – which won the Innovative Sustainable Travel Project category at the 2024 Modeshift Awards – has grown by more than 30% over the last year, with around 700 people travelling on the buses each matchday.

City supporters have made 22,000 journeys on matchday buses since the start of the initiative, with survey data showing a 2% shift from car to bus travel in comparison to last year.

The five new routes are as follows:

MC8X:  Macclesfield - Tytherington - Poynton - Bramhall - Etihad Stadium*

MC9X: Flixton – Urmston – Trafford Centre – Etihad Stadium

MC11X: Horwich – Tyldsley – Boothstown – Wardley (A580 PnR) – Etihad Stadium

MC13X: Shaw – Royton – Hollinwood – Etihad Stadium

MC15X: Rochdale – Castleton – Middleton – Etihad Stadium

*This is a duplicate of the MC8 service but will depart thirty minutes later

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