Our “Trams &” series continues today as we again feature a tram alongside a bus – this time in Manchester.
Although it’s a tram and a bus, it’s a bus which is pretending to be a tram as its on a Metrolink replacement service! This photo was taken 20th March 2022 at which point there were rail replacement works in Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly Station which meant all tram services through the city centre were diverted via 2CC and necessitated replacement buses from Victoria to Piccadilly and beyond to Ashton.
A double M5000 is captured for the tram part of the image. Its led by 3028 with 3010 trailing with the pair operating a service from Bury to Altrincham via Exchange Square. And Exchange Square will be the next stop with the island platform just visible in front of the tram.
The bus is an Enviro 400 which was originally part of the Abellio London fleet but by the time of this photo had been sold on for further use to Blackpool based Coastliner buses. The bus has a special destination blind fitted which includes the destination Metrolink Tram Replacement and just able to be made out in this image. The glass building behind the bus houses the National Football Museum.
Photograph by Gareth Prior, 20th March 2022