Bus Information and Timetables:
Updated for January 2025
Please be aware that for some operators (including Stagecoach) an IGO pass is *required*. Operators may refuse travel to students not in possession of an IGO
All Greater Manchester bus services will be joining the Bee Network on Sunday 5 January 2025 including our school bus services.
Here’s what to expect:
- Students will be able to continue using our school bus services as normal.
- Students can continue to pay low fares and use their igo cards on school services.
- Our services will either be operated by Diamond Bus or Metroline Manchester.
- Some services will use the operators’ own vehicles, and some will use yellow Bee Network branded buses. All will display the Bee Network logo.
For up-to-date information on using school services, please visit Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM): https://tfgm.com/travelling-to-school/bee-network-school-services
There is also a dedicated page for Altrincham College:
https://tfgm.com/schools/trafford/altrincham-college
For students living further than 2 miles from school who rely on public transport for getting to and from school, there are 7 school buses which are dedicated to serving Altrincham College:
- 770 - from Glebelands Road (Sale), operated by Metroline
- 771 - from Sale Metrolink (Broad Road), operated by Metroline. PM service continues to Firsway/Epsom Avenue.
- 772 - from Norris Road/Helsby Road, operated by Metroline.
- 777 – from Derbyshire Road South/Norris Road operated by Diamond.
- 773 - from Hale Road (Cemetery) via St. Lukes Church (Bowdon), Oldfield Brow, operated by Diamond (am). Please note that the PM service travels a different route to the AM service and is operated by Metroline - see timetable.
- 774 - from Wythenshawe (Asda), via Broomwood, operated by Diamond.
- 776 – AM service from Carrington Lane (Ashton) via Broadheath, PM service terminates at Catterick Ave, Ashton. Operated by Metroline. Please see 771 service for PM travel back to other parts of Ashton.
Please see the documents below for more details of bus stops and times on the above routes. Full details are available on the TFGM website: https://tfgm.com/schools/trafford/altrincham-college
Public bus services which run close by include:
- 283/284 (via Altrincham - Hale - Hale Barns)
- 285/286 (via Altrincham - Timperley Grange – Timperley)
- 88 (via Hale Barns to Macclesfield)
- X5 (via Mcr Airport, Bowdon to Warrington)
Late Buses
In addition to the above services there are late bus services from school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, leaving school approximately 4.30pm.
Please note that these services OPERATE SEPARATELY from the regular school buses and run a reduced service back to the Sale and Broadheath/Oldfield Brow areas..
Bus Pass information
All students who regularly use school services should purchase an IGO card; this proves the student is under 16 and allows discounted travel on both buses and trams. The IGO can also be loaded with funds and used to pay for travel.
Please be aware that some operators no longer produce paper tickets and an IGO is *required* to pay for travel).
Operators may refuse travel to students not in possession of an IGO.
The current cost of an IGO £10, which lasts until the August following the student's 16th birthday). For more information visit: https://tfgm.com/tickets-and-passes/igo-pass
Please note that TGFM advises the 'lead time' for an IGO pass is 2-4 weeks.
Sixth Form students (aged 16-18) should buy an 'Our Pass'. Information about “Our Pass” can be found at https://ourpass.co.uk/ . Students over 18 need a Scholar's Pass to qualify for a concessionary fare on all transport (including school services).
More information on school travel passes can be found here.
A monthly 'System One' travel card is available for students (Junior/Young Person) which is valid for any bus (including school services). For more information, visit https://www.systemonetravel.co.uk/
Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) now has Plan a Journey which asks people where they want to go and then shows them all the direct bus services that they can catch, when they leave, where the nearest bus stops are and how they can link up with trams and trains.
