Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday services - changes to tram services

Poppy Tram

Metrolink will pause to remember all who made the ultimate sacrifice this Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

On Armistice Day, Friday 11 November, trams will stop shortly before 11.00am as the nation takes part in a two-minute silence.

On Remembrance Sunday, there will be a number of brief changes to tram services for the event at St Peter’s Square.

The Remembrance Day parade will begin on Peter Street and finish next to the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square, where there will be a two-minute silence at 11am, followed by a service and wreath laying.

Trams will stop running through St Peter’s Square at approximately 10.45am whilst the service takes place. It is expected that tram services will resume shortly after 11.30am.

During this time, tram services will run as follows:

• East Didsbury and Altrincham trams will terminate at Deansgate-Castlefield
• Eccles trams will terminate at either Cornbrook or Deansgate-Castlefield
• Ashton trams will terminate at Piccadilly
• Bury trams will terminate at Piccadilly and Rochdale/Oldham trams will terminate at Exchange Square as per normal Sunday services
• A shuttle bus will operate between Cornbrook and Piccadilly Station on Fairfield Street, calling at Deansgate-Castlefield and Piccadilly Gardens, during the changes. Metrolink staff will be at city centre stops to provide customer information

Shortly before 11am, trams will stop to observe the two-minute silence.

As part of Metrolink’s long and proud journey with the Lancashire Fusiliers, poppy wreaths have been placed in both cabs of tram 3020 – the Lancashire Fusilier tram.

The Lancashire Fusiliers were formed on 5 November 1688 and have been involved in the American War of Independence, the Napoleonic Wars and both World Wars.

They were originally called the 20th Foot and changed their name to the 20th Lancashire Fusiliers on 1 July 1881. They merged with three other regiments in 1968 to form the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Earlier this year Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) reinforced its support for the Armed Forces by signing a covenant that offers servicemen and women free travel on Metrolink all year round.

Localised road closures will be required for some of the remembrance events taking place around Greater Manchester and those wishing to attend should plan in advance and allow themselves extra time.

Stephen Rhodes, TfGM’s Customer Operations Director, said: “From the Lancashire Fusiliers tram to the Armed Forces covenant, we are a proud supporter of our servicemen and women.

“Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are extremely important dates in the calendar, as we pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Some of the parades and events taking place this weekend will require some changes to local roads and public transport services, so I’d encourage anyone wanting to take part to plan ahead and give themselves plenty of time to get there.”