FREE ride for Pride: Festival sponsors Metrolink are offering pledge band holder free city centre tram travel.

From the first tram on Friday August 26 to the last service on Monday 29 August, all Pride wristband wearers can travel by tram, free of charge, between participating ‘City Zone’ stops, including Deansgate-Castlefield, Market Street, Shudehill, Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly.

Extra staff will be at city centre stops over The Big Weekend to help customers and information will be posted at City Zone stops to make it clear where Pride wristband wearers can travel to and from for free.

As well as giving Pride visitors a free ride, some of Metrolink’s iconic fleet is now awash with the colours of the rainbow.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “Metrolink is once again delighted to sponsor Pride and show our support for the LGBT community through our free city centre travel offer and rainbow trams.

“There’s so much to do and see over the bank holiday, not just in the city centre but across the tram network. It will be yet another busy weekend across the city so give yourself plenty of time to get where you want to go. From everyone at Metrolink and TfGM, have a great Pride.”

Some city centre roads will be closed during Pride both around the Village and along the route of the Saturday parade.

Anyone travelling in or through the city can find out more information on road closures, diversions and general travel advice on the TfGM website or by calling TfGM on 0161 244 1000.