Metroshuttle: free bus travel in the city and town centres

Manchester Metroshuttle, your free city centre bus service, is undergoing an exciting new upgrade!

Later running buses and a fresh new design will be among the changes when the service launches in October.

And don’t worry – it will still be free, frequent and connect you with all your favourite destinations.

Check back later for more details, including new route information and operating times.

Metroshuttles are free buses linking the main rail stations, car parks, shopping areas and businesses. Metroshuttle services operate in Manchester city centre (routes 1, 2 and 3), Bolton and Stockport.

Metroshuttle route 1

Piccadilly Station; Portland Street (Chinatown); Peter Street (Manchester Central); Deansgate (Spinningfields); Deansgate; Victoria Station; Northern Quarter; Piccadilly Station.

Metroshuttle route 1 live departure times

Metroshuttle 1 service is in operation:

• Monday to Friday: 7am to 7pm, every ten minutes.

• Saturday: 8.30am to 6.30pm, every ten minutes.

• Sunday and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day): 9.30am to 5.55pm, every twelve minutes.

Metroshuttle route 2

Piccadilly Station; Northern Quarter; Withy Grove (Printworks); Victoria Station; Deansgate; Deansgate Station; Oxford Road Station; Peter Street (Manchester Central); Deansgate; Victoria Station; Shudehill – Northern Quarter; Piccadilly Station.

Metroshuttle route 2 live departure times

Metroshuttle 2 service is in operation:

• Monday to Friday: 6.30am to 6.30pm, every ten minutes.

• Saturday: 8.30am to 6.30pm, every ten minutes.

• Sunday and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day): 9.35am to 6pm, every twelve minutes.

Metroshuttle route 3

Piccadilly Station; Portland Street; Charlotte Street (Chinatown); Cross Street; St Mary’s Gate; Deansgate; (Spinningfields, peak times only); Deansgate (John Rylands Library peak times only); John Dalton Street; Cross Street; King Street; New York Street (Chinatown); Chorlton Street (Central Coach Station); Piccadilly Station.

Metroshuttle route 3 live departure times

Metroshuttle 3 service is in operation:

• Monday to Friday: 7.25am to 7.20pm, every ten minutes.

• Saturday: 8.35am to 6.25pm, every ten minutes.

• Sunday and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day): 9.40am to 6.05pm, every twelve minutes.

These Metroshuttle services are funded by Manchester City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.

Manchester city centre Metroshuttle map

Bolton town centre

Bus station; Bolton Interchange; Crompton Place shopping centre; Market Place shopping centre; Topp Way car park.

Bolton Metroshuttle live departure times

Bolton town centre Metroshuttle service is in operation:

• Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm, every 15 minutes.

This Metroshuttle service is funded by Bolton Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.

Bolton Metroshuttle map

Stockport town centre

Rail station; Bus Station; Portwood; Knightsbridge; Bus Station.

Stockport Metroshuttle live departure times

Stockport town centre Metroshuttle service is in operation:

• Monday to Saturday: 8am to 6pm, every 15 minutes.

• Sunday: 10.30am to 5pm, every 15 minutes.

This Metroshuttle service is funded by Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.

Stockport Metroshuttle map

Free Wi-Fi on Manchester City Centre Metroshuttle

How do I connect?

Once you have boarded the Metroshuttle follow the instructions on your mobile device to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot. Please note that this process can differ depending upon the device manufacturer and operating system so please make sure you are familiar with how to do this before connecting.

Look for the hotspot called “MetroshuttleWiFi”. Complete the registration page, which only needs to be done on your first visit, and agree to the Terms and Conditions by ticking the box then click Connect, and that’s it!

How does Free Wi-Fi work?

A mobile data signal (4G/3G) is received by an onboard router. The router then broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal within the bus which passengers can connect to and access the internet. The service is provided free of charge to all Metroshuttle bus passengers in Manchester City Centre (Routes 1, 2 & 3).

Use of Metroshuttle free Wi-Fi is subject to Terms and Conditions.

What else should I be aware of?

The free Wi-Fi works much in the same way as a mobile phone and at times and in certain circumstances, can be subject to the same difficulties that a mobile phone may encounter. Variables such as tall buildings or structures, geographic features like hills or valleys, weather conditions, temperatures, electrical or radio interference and the number of mobile devices connected to a cell tower or the router itself can result in differing user experiences or levels of service.

Is there are a time limit for customers?

TfGM have decided that no time limits for customer usage will be imposed and we aim to offer a broadly consistent user experience no matter how many devices are connected to the free Wi-Fi. In order to do this we make sure every device will connect at up to the same maximum download and upload speeds, and are subject to a set data quota. Don’t worry though, if the data limit is reached you’ll still be able to use the free Wi-Fi, just not as fast as before.