Your boots are made for walking this autumn

Greater Manchester’s first ever autumn Walking Week runs from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 29 October, offering more than 100 free guided walks to choose from across the region.

Coordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), with support from many local walking groups and charities, Greater Manchester Walking Week aims to showcase all that the region has to offer on foot.

The event’s calendar features many expert-led walks, catering to a variety of interests and themes for all ages and abilities.

For adults looking for a challenge, there are lots of trails to pique their interest, be it getting out and about with Mountain Rescue teams, giving Nordic walking a go or getting up into the hills for spectacular views.

There’s also a selection of guided walks designed to entertain the family. From trick or treat treks to welly walks, there’s plenty to keep little ones occupied during the half-term break.

The full list of walks can be found at the Greater Manchester Walking Week webpage.

Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, said: “The Mayor’s aim is to make Greater Manchester the best place to live and we can do this by enabling people to walk more short journeys.

“Walking briskly for 20 minutes a day can add up to seven years to your life and if we start to switch short car journeys for walking we can help to cut congestion and improve the air we breathe.

“I hope that by encouraging people to get involved in TfGM’s Greater Manchester Walking Week, they will be inspired to continue walking regularly after the event has ended.”

TfGM’s Interim Head of Active Travel, Sam Coppin, added: “I’m delighted that we’re launching the first Greater Manchester autumn Walking Week this month. The event aims to get as many people as possible across the region to find out how easy – and enjoyable – walking can be. No special equipment is required when it comes to walking, you can even pop out on your lunch break and get active.

“Autumn is heralded for its beauty as the landscape changes colour, so this is the perfect time for people to explore and experience everything Greater Manchester has to offer. The walks, which cater for a variety of abilities and ages, also provide the chance to meet new people.

“I’d like to thank all our walking partners and walk leaders, many of whom are voluntary, who run all the walks and make this event possible.”

Funded by the Department of Transport, the Greater Manchester Walking Week and annual Walking Festival is part of TfGM’s Active Travel programme, encouraging people to walk more as part of their daily routine.

Printed brochures will be available from a wide range of places, including TfGM travel shops, leisure centres and libraries, in the next few weeks.

Visit www.tfgm.com/walking for more details and keep up to date via the TfGM Walking Facebook page, or search for the #GMWalking hashtag on Twitter.

Customers advised of public transport changes this weekend

Transport bosses are asking people to plan their travel in advance this weekend as scheduled improvement works result in changes to bus and tram services.

On Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October, the full length of the Leigh to Ellenbrook guided busway will be closed to enable improvement work to take place safely and efficiently.

This means that they’ll be no Vantage services operating on the busway between East Bond Street in Leigh and Newearth Road in Salford and Vantage V1 and V2 services will operate via local road diversion routes.

Alternative bus stops will be in use and their locations will be signed, however, the interchange on Astley Street in Tyldesley will remain open. Works will be complete to allow services to operate as usual in time for the first bus on the morning of Monday 23 October.

Also this weekend, Network Rail and Metrolink improvement works mean there will be changes affecting services on the Bury, Rochdale, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines as well as some city centre services. Bus replacement services will run during these times. For more information, click here.

TfGM’s Transport and Event Planning Lead, John Fryer, said: “Essential improvement work on the guided busway and Mosley Street tram track, together with Network Rail’s works, will mean significant changes to Vantage and some Metrolink services this weekend.

“To help minimise disruption and ensure a smoother journey our advice is to plan ahead, be prepared, and think about all your travel choices. Customers should allow extra time to complete their journey.

“We strongly advise that people check the TfGM and Metrolink websites for regular service updates and information, or follow @OfficialTfGM, @FirstManchester and @MCRMetrolink on Twitter.”

Greater Manchester is also expected to be very busy on the following weekend (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October) with major sporting events, large participation runs, exhibitions and concerts scheduled to take place across a number of venues.

Cutting the commuting cost for Greater Manchester's apprentices

Greater Manchester’s apprentices can enjoy a cheaper commute, thanks to an offer from the region’s transport and political leaders.

The scheme, run by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), means apprentices based in the region can now receive a free bike or 28-day travel pass to help them on their trip to and from work.

Eligible apprentices, who can struggle with transport costs as they are not entitled to discounted travel, can apply for the free 28-day travel pass – valid on all Metrolink trams and most bus services within Greater Manchester.

For those who prefer their commute on two wheels, the Apprentice Bike to Work scheme provides a free refurbished bike, cycle training and bike maintenance courses from TfGM. The bikes also come with cycling accessories and safety equipment such as lights and helmets.

They are also entitled to a Personalised Travel Plan (PTP) which, by answering a few simple questions, will give them advice on the best way to commute to their workplace.

Councillor Sean Anstee, GMCA’s Vice Chair and Lead Member for Skills, Employment and Apprenticeships, praised the initiative: “Cost has been identified as the biggest barrier to travel in Greater Manchester for young people.

“This is amplified for apprentices, the majority of whom don’t receive discounted tickets and have to spend a significant proportion of their apprenticeship wage each day in order to travel between home and their workplace.

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop skills, earn a wage and achieve a qualification while working, but for some the cost prohibits this opportunity.

“This offer is an important step to balance out those travel costs whilst encouraging sustainable travel through the use of public transport or cycling.

“Cycling, in particular, is a healthy, low-cost and practical way of getting to work and key to reducing congestion and carbon emissions in the region.

“It’s simple for apprentices to apply for, and they even get to keep the bike once their apprenticeship has finished.”

All applications should be made through apprenticeship providers who are registered with TfGM. For more information about the scheme, including provider registration, please visit www.tfgm.com/apprentices.

Runners and residents advised to plan their journeys ahead of Manchester Half Marathon

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https://beta.tfgm.com/travel-updates/manchester-half-marathon

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is advising runners and spectators of the Manchester Half Marathon to plan their journeys ahead of the race this Sunday (15 October).

Residents of Trafford, Stretford and Sale are also advised to plan their travel that day as roads will be closed to become part of the course.

Around 12,000 runners are estimated to be taking part in the event, which starts at 9am on Bridgewater Way in Stretford, and finishes at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Roads will be closed and reopened throughout the day to accommodate the event, with the earliest closures starting at 5am and the latest around 6pm. Bus services will also be affected as they are diverted around the closed roads.

Metrolink trams are not affected and will be running as usual, but are likely to be busier than normal as people attend the event or seek to avoid the road closures.

People driving to the race are encouraged to take advantage of Greater Manchester’s free park and ride facilities and complete their journey by public transport.

TfGM has prepared detailed travel advice, including maps and journey planning. https://beta.tfgm.com/travel-updates/manchester-half-marathon  

Metrolink event staff will also be on hand to help customers with their travel needs. TfGM, Metrolink and the event organisers will also be using their social media accounts on the day to update passengers on any issues affecting travel.

TfGM’s Events and Operational Coordination Manager, Ryan Carter, said: “The Manchester Half Marathon is a superb event which attracts thousands of people and we want to ensure everyone gets to the starting line on time.

“We have been working closely with the organisers to get effective transport plans in place and minimise any disruption.

“Our advice is for people to plan their journeys and allow yourself a little extra time to get to your destination. We will be monitoring the event on the day to ensure it all goes smoothly – and the best of luck to everyone taking part.”

Sarah Bennett, Manchester Half Marathon’s, Race Director said: “I’d like to thank TfGM for their help organising the transport for the Manchester Half Marathon. I’d encourage everyone to take their advice and plan their journey so they can get to the right place at the right time.

“The course follows the Altrincham line of the Metrolink, which gives spectators the chance to catch the race at different parts of the course, but please be aware that this may mean the line is busier than normal at those stops.”

For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter.

Monday 9 October: Industrial action affecting bus services

On Monday 9 October, First Manchester services will be affected by a one day strike by drivers from their Bolton and Rusholme depots. This will cause significant disruption, with services on the north side of the city region expected to be particularly affected. First have published a list of affected services.

2018 Metrolink fare changes agreed

A meeting of Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Friday 29 September agreed Metrolink fare changes from 1 January 2018.

16-18 year olds who hold a get me there card will have cheaper travel after council leaders agreed to cut the cost of an off-peak day or weekend Metrolink ticket in half.

From January Metrolink fares will rise on average by 5.93%, as part of a phased three year increase.

This includes an estimated rise of 4% (split into 1.33% per year) – plus the annual RPI+1% over the next three years.

Other changes agreed today include:

• Children aged 5-16 will now pay 50% of the adult fare across the board.
• Special event tickets – held at the same price since 2012 – will rise from £3 to £4.
• A new discounted special event ticket will be introduced for 5 to 18 year olds for £2, at half the adult price.

The decision to phase the fares increase was made after 78% of people who took part in an 8-week Metrolink fares survey opted to spread the increase over three years.

Metrolink receives no public subsidy, so any fares revenue from the increases pays for the rise in network operating costs.

The increase will also cover the costs of borrowing secured to pay for the recent major tram network expansion programme.

The overall percentage increase will vary between individual tickets. More information on fares will be available on www.tfgm.com later this year.

For more information on Metrolink services visit www.metrolink.co.uk, call Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000 or follow @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for live travel updates.