A NON-STOP shuttle bus service linking the Trafford Centre with the Metrolink system begins operating next month.

The Trafford Centre is splashing out £50,000 to create a safe turning circle at Stretford Station for the fleet of six buses.

The new service should mean tram passengers will find a bus waiting for them to the Trafford Centre, making it a virtual extension of the Metrolink.

Mike Butterworth, managing director of the Trafford Centre, says: "We have supported this initiative with substantial expenditure. We are creating a safe turning circle and also modifying parking bays and providing bus shelters at the Trafford Centre.

"We have always said we would like to see 25 per cent of our passengers arriving by public transport and this is the latest positive step in that direction."

Bus operator Arriva will run the service, working in tandem with Metrolink.

The first bus will leave Stretford on the morning of Sunday, May 30 - it will mean at least 13 bus driver jobs will be created and all recruits will be trained in customer care, special needs awareness and first aid.

Neale Wallace, commercial director of Arriva North West, says: "The transport industry is forever being urged by Government to develop integrated transport systems. This is a prime example of integration in action."

Passengers will be able to buy through tram/bus tickets at all Metrolink stations. Every ticket machine on the network will have a new 'Trafford Centre' destination button installed.

On weekdays, the first bus will leave Stretford at 8.43am for the 12 minute journey to a new bus terminal at the centre's Festival Village.

In the evening the bus will also call at the Orient Leisure Dome. The last one will depart shortly before midnight - later on Friday and Saturday when the Orient is open longer.

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