A huge new bus network initiative is set to be trialled over the coming weeks as Transport for Greater Manchester is hoping to help Man City fans get to the Etihad Stadium.
With the Etihad Campus located along the busy Ashton-Eccles Metrolink line, tram services to and from Man City’s home ground can get extremely busy and other forms of public transport in and out of the city are regularly populated by other everyday commuters and so on.
That being said, as part of Greater Manchester’s ever-expanding Bee Network, TfGM is now set to introduce as many as 17 new dedicated bus routes around the region from this month onwards, with bus services and park-and-ride facilities stretching across the boroughs and leading to the Etihad.
The newly proposed network covers 60 stops and will cover a combined total of more than 340 miles, with the first of the new bus services set to launch on Saturday, 17 February ahead of City‘s home match against Chelsea.
Credit: The Manc
As per a statement by TfGM, the new bus routes to the Etihad are said to have been carefully selected following a detailed analysis of fan data which identified areas with limited existing travel options, or those with a dense population of Season Ticket Members.
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Tickets in Zone 1 will be priced at £6 for a return and those in Zone 2 will cost £8. These zones have been decided in line with the existing Metrolink zoning system and must be purchased on the day when boarding the bus.
Not unlike existing coaches organised by football supporters groups around Greater Manchester and beyond, one bus will operate per route and there will be space for an average of 80 fans per bus, dishing out seats on a first-come-first-serve basis.
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The new additions are also not expected to disrupt existing routes. You can see more detailed information about the stops HERE but TfGM has also published a helpful map outlining the new network:
Stretching as far as Macclesfield, New Mills, Haughton Green, Radcliffe, Flixton, Hale and many towns across the 10 boroughs, the 17 new City buses should help countless more Blues make their way to the game without having to use their own cars, source parking or add to congestion on established routes.
By connecting fans across the region through a direct and reliable mode of travel, the newly proposed bus network will create a low-priced option for fans, making travelling to matches more efficient and increasingly sustainable.
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Commenting on the introduction of the bus network, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, Danny Wilson, said: “We want all our fans to have an amazing experience when they come to the Etihad Stadium, and we know that travelling to and from a match can play a key part in achieving this.
“The introduction of this trial follows a detailed analysis of fan travel arrangements which has helped us to identify areas with limited travel options, and develop a bespoke, large-scale operation tailored to our fans.” Fingers crossed the trial goes successfully and the scheme is fully greenlit.
Mayor Andy Burham added: “This is an exciting trial that will give Manchester City FC fans another option for getting to and from matches at the Etihad in an affordable, convenient, safe and sustainable way.
“This month we have already introduced a new six-minute Metrolink service between the city centre and Etihad Campus – and this new partnership between TfGM and Manchester City Football Club demonstrates a wider vision for helping people travel to one of the city’s most iconic sporting venues.”
Tommy Fury announces return to boxing after his ‘hardest battle’ yet
Danny Jones
Manc boxer Tommy Fury has announced his return to the ring later this year, although he’s still keeping tight-lipped about some of the finer detailsabout his next fight.
Tommy Fury has been stuck on the sidelines for the best part of the last two years following his last boxing match against influencer and musician KSI, having reluctantly stepped away from boxing through injury and well-publicised personal issues outside of the sport.
He ultimately pulled out of his intended comeback against Darren Till ahead of what looked to be an already fraught face-off, and his been quiet on the competitive front ever since – until now.
Revealing a scheduled date for the next fight, the 25-year-old took to social media to confirm that he will be back very soon but is withholding some of the particulars for now.
Writing in the caption, the younger Fury brother said: “Two years out. One surgery. The hardest battle I’ve faced has been the mental battle of being away from boxing. But I’m back stronger, sharper, and more HUNGARY than ever.”
However, the most notable omission is who he will actually be taking on, i.e. one of the main reasons fight fans would be interested in the first place.
Although many have been left frustrated by the infrequency of his fights due to multiple cancellations, it’s clearly a concerted effort to build anticipation ahead of the event.
Sharing the date for his Budapest bout – which is coming much sooner than many would have expected (Friday, 9 May) – he signed off by adding: “It’s showtime. Let’s go!”
Besides the social media post, the local fighter published a lengthy announcement video/teaser trailer on the official Tommy Fury YouTube channel on Monday night, in which he states, “the contract has literally just been signed as we speak”.
You can watch the feature in full down below:
In truth, the majority of the video is about brand deals, but it does show getting some training done.
Hyping up his undefeated record, with 10 wins to his name thus far in his still fairly fledgling boxing career, he goes on to say he is “over the moon” and ready to get back in business.
Only time will tell whether this fight will actually go ahead as his followers have gotten more than used to seeing his matches postponed or cancelled. First and foremost, who do you think his comeback opponent is gong to be?
His name has mostly been in the headlines due to his high-profile relationship with fellow famous face Molly Mae-Hague.
The couple, who first met on Love Island back in 2019, welcomed their first child, Bambi, back in January 2023 but went on to split up last August. A docuseries covering their struggles dropped at the start of this year.
Featured Images — Screenshot (via YouTube)/Ghazi Twaissi (via WikiCommons)/The Manc Group
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Belle Vue manager warns of former Aces ahead of Premiership clash
Danny Jones
Belle Vue Aces boss and Aussie speedway legend Mark Lemon has warned his side of Oxford Spires’ quality ahead of their face-off in the Premiership, especially as they prepare to come against some ex-ATPI employees.
With a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership round coming up on Monday night (14 April) and the Aces second in the table with five early points total on the board already, the CEO, Director and Team Manager isn’t underestimating the southern opponents.
Even though Oxford have had a tough start to the season, the Manchester racers can’t afford to be complacent, and Lemon has already identified some key threats on the track, including two former Aces.
It’ll be a thrilling night at the National Speedway Stadium (NSS), as always.
𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼…
♣️ ATPI Aces v Oxford Spires ⛪️ 🗓️ Monday, April 14, 7.30pm. 🏆 Premiership R1. 🏟️ National Speedway Stadium. 🎟️ Get ticket now: https://t.co/DREWNjxB09 🍴 Hospitality: https://t.co/RFS3gcPD99
Speaking on Sunday ahead of the races, the 52-year-old said: “I know it’s a cliche, but there really aren’t any easy meetings in the Premiership.
“We know what Oxford’s riders are capable of; Rohan [Tungate] and Charles [Wright] can be very good at the National Speedway Stadium, and that makes them dangerous.
“When you add in the likes of [Maciej] Janowski, Erik Riss and guest Dan Thompson, [Oxford Spires] are a strong side.”
33-year-old ‘Magic’ Janoswki from Poland is not only a former world number three but has four FIM Speedway World Cup gold medals to his name.
Nevertheless, the Aces have bounced back after a disappointing 50-40 defeat in the KO Cup by Ipswich Witches to record a double over King’s Lynn Stars, with a narrow loss against Leicester still showing plenty of fight and promise for the rest of the campaign.
Belle Vue Aces’ Jaimon Lidsey pushing hard against King’s Lynn – here’s hoping for more of that against Oxford. (Credit: Taylor Lanning)
Lemon went on to assure that he remains confident, however, adding: “We’re settling back into a routine. It was good that all the boys are getting confidence-building scores.
“Zach Cook, Norick Blodorn and Jake Mulford have all started winning key races and scoring well. Tate Zischke is also solving some bike issues.
“As I’ve said before, at this time of the season, it’s about building momentum. That’s the target.”
The Aces get underway against the Spires at the NSS just down the road in Gorton from 7:30pm – best of luck to all those at Belle Vue.
Danny Jones -
9th February 2024 
