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Manchester Corporation Transport

Leyland Titan PD2/12 (1956)

Leyland Titan PD2/12 (1956): Pimlico Badger, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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History #

  • 1897: The Manchester Corporation Act is passed, granting the necessary powers to operate municipal tram lines under electric traction.
  • 1899: The Manchester Corporation Tramways Act allows the corporation to lease tramways in neighbouring districts, laying the groundwork for a unified network.
  • 1901: Electric tram operations officially open on 6 June, with the first public services running between Albert Square and Cheetham Hill.
  • 1906: The department purchases its first motor buses to supplement feeder services for the tramways.
  • 1926: On 23 March, Parrs Wood Garage in East Didsbury opens as the undertaking’s first purpose-built motor bus garage.
  • 1927: The department launches its first local express bus route on 11 April, running 15 miles from Cheadle through the city center to Heywood.
  • 1929: The undertaking is officially renamed the Manchester Corporation Transport Department (MCTD) to reflect the rapid expansion of motor bus services alongside the trams.
  • 1930: Tramway route mileage reaches its historical peak at 163 miles with a fleet of nearly 1,000 cars, after which systematic tram replacement begins.
  • 1933: The distinctive “Standard” Manchester double-deck bodywork is introduced, followed in 1936 by the iconic curved “Streamliner” design.
  • 1938: The first trolleybus routes open, replacing converted tram routes across the city.
  • 1949: The last remaining Manchester tram route (to Stockport) ceases operation in January, ending almost 50 years of electric tram services.
  • 1966: The trading name is altered to Manchester City Transport in mid-1966, and the final trolleybus service (to Ashton-under-Lyne) closes at the end of the year.
  • 1969: On 1 November, Manchester City Transport is absorbed into the newly established SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive).

Leyland Tiger TS2 (1930)

VB LogoLeyland Tiger TS2 (1930): Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
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Crossley DD42/85 (1949)

VB LogoCrossley DD42/85 (1949): Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
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Crossley Dominion TDD 64/1 trolleybus

VB LogoCrossley Dominion TDD 64/1 trolleybus (1951): Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
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Leyland Royal Tiger PSU1/13 (1953)

VB LogoLeyland Royal Tiger PSU1/13 (1953): Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
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Leyland Titan PD2/34 (1958)

VB LogoLeyland Titan PD2/34 (1958): Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
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Sources #