Starling Bank are one of those businesses who obviously think advertising on Manchester Metrolink works as they have recently returned with a new contract – the third time they have advertised on the trams. On the previous two occasions it was a two-tram contract but this time seems to be just the one (at least so far) with 3101 carrying the advert.
3101 had only just lost its advert for xtb a couple of days earlier before it debuted with its new look on 18th April 2026. It’s a very simple advert with the bodyside being a light blue colour and just featuring the STARLING name at the end along with the slogan “Small habits take you a long way”.
This now becomes the fourth advert on 3101, all of which have been carried since September 2025. That was when it received vinyls for Me+Em, before October 2025 saw it become one of two trams advertising Wicked For Good. Those vinyls were removed in December 2025 and then in February 2026 it was the xtb advert which was added (and then removed April 2026).
Starling Bank have previously advertised on 3081, 3091, 3092, 3102.
3101 in its new Starling Bank advert with a service to Ashton. (Photograph by Reece Hughes, 24th April 2026)