Information for Refugees and Migrants

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Finding Your Way Around

You can get free bus maps from the Travelshop in Piccadilly Gardens or at Shudehill Bus Station (close to Victoria train station) in the centre of Manchester . If you want a more detailed map of Manchester or other cities in the UK you can buy an A-Z which will have every street marked on it. You can also look up addresses on the internet using a search engine.

Getting Around Locally

The main forms of Public Transport in Manchester are: 

• buses 
• the Metrolink tram 
• the train network.

Other forms of transport: 

• Free city centre Metroshuttle buses  run with low floor, easy access buses. Service 1 (orange) runs about every 5 minutes, Service 2 (Green) about every 10 minutes, and Service 3 (purple)every 10 minutes.
• taxis or minicabs
• cycling
• driving your own car 
• coaches are useful for longer journeys 
• walking

Buses

A number of different bus companies operate in Manchester , often on the same route. Companies may charge different prices for the same journey. The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has more information and timetables on local bus services. You can also call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (Calls cost 10p a minute from landlines. Phone lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 8pm at weekends.)

You can buy different types of ticket when travelling by bus. You usually buy the following tickets from the driver when you get on the bus. It helps if you have coins rather than banknotes to pay with.  

Types of Bus Ticket You Can Buy from the Driver: 

• One way (single) ticket: this covers a single journey in one direction only, and is not economical if you will return on the same day using the same bus company. 
• Return ticket: covers a single journey in both directions, and is more economical than a one-way ticket if you are returning on the same day using the same bus company. 
• Day Saver ticket: this ticket allows you any number of journeys using the same bus company to any destinations on the same day. 
• System One one-day ticket: slightly more expensive than a Day Saver ticket but you can use this to travel all day using different bus companies. 
• One-Week ticket: this is usually very economical but you can only use it for the bus company on which you buy it.
• System One One-Week ticket: this allows unlimited journeys on any local bus.

To find out more about different bus tickets or to plan your journey visit the GMPTE website

Season Tickets

You can also buy season tickets to use on buses, trams and trains that last for one month or one year. These are usually bought from Travelshops or any PayPoint  shop (These shops will have a PayPoint sign in their window). Ask at a GMPTE Travelshop for more details about these tickets.

You can also buy tickets that cover travel on both buses and trams. Ask at a GMPTE Travelshop for more details about these tickets.

You will need to fill in an application form and take it to your local GMPTE Travelshop, together with a passport-sized photo. If you are buying the Young Person Bus Saver you will need a passport-sized photo, plus proof of age. If you are a student, you need to take proof of full-time education - for example, your University ID card. There are photo booths in or near every GMPTE Travelshop.

Bus Maps

Many bus stops have maps of where the buses go to. You can also get free copies of maps showing all the bus routes and timetable free from the main GMPTE office (Travelshop) in Piccadilly Gardens or at Shudehill bus station and from some libraries and community centres.You can also download a timetable.  

Getting On and Off the Bus

If you are waiting at a bus stop and you want to get on a bus, which is driving towards the stop, you should put out your arm out to let the bus driver know you want them to stop for you. To get off a bus, press one of the STOP buttons before you get to the bus stop. If you are not sure when you need to get off, ask the bus driver to tell you when you get to the stop.

Trams

Trams travel between Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Piccadilly Station in Manchester . They run every 6 -12 minutes. Travelling by tram may cost a little more than travelling by bus but is usually quicker. 

Buying a Tram Ticket 

Daily tickets can be bought from ticket machines at the tram stops. It is best to pay using small value coins, but the machines usually do give change for larger coins and bank notes.

It is cheaper to travel after 9.30 a.m. Inspectors get on and off trams during journeys to check that passengers have bought a ticket and paid the correct fare. You will have to pay a fine of about £100 if you do not have a valid ticket. 

To buy a weekly or monthly ticket you must take a passport-sized photograph to the GMPTE Travelshop, or any PayPoint agent.

To buy 3-monthly or annual tickets, go to any GMPTE Travelshop. 

Taxis and Minicabs

Taxis - Black Cabs 

Black taxis are much more expensive than public transport. They charge a minimum fare, after which the price goes up depending on how far you are travelling. The cost of the fare is shown on a meter in the front of the car, but the driver might add more if you have got suitcases or if there is more than one person travelling in the taxi. If you are travelling very late at night or early in the morning, the meter will be switched on to the night rate (more expensive): at all other times the meter should show the day rate. 

Taxis charge a higher rate on Sundays and Bank Holidays. You can get a taxi from the taxi ranks in Albert Square , other parts of the City Centre or outside train stations, or you can just stop one, which is driving along the road if the For Hire sign on the roof is switched on. You do this by shouting taxi and waving your hand to show them you want them to stop and pick you up.

Taxis - minicabs 

Minicabs (also called private hire cars) are normal cars used as taxis, but you have to book them by telephoning, (their telephone numbers will be in the local telephone directory) or visit the office of the taxi company. They are cheaper than black taxis and usually have a fixed price for taking you from one place to another but they are usually still more expensive than a bus, unless 3 or 4 people are sharing. 

It is illegal for minicabs to pick up customers from the street; you must book the taxi in advance. You should ask the telephone operator or at the taxi company's office how much the journey will cost and tell them when and where to collect you.

Cycling 

Cycling is a good way of getting around in Manchester . You are advised to use the specially marked green cycle lanes provided on many roads and through many parks.  

Cycling on the pavement is illegal. It is safer to wear a cycling helmet in case you have an accident. If you are cycling at night you must have lights on your bike. Wear a jacket or clothing that can be seen at night.

There are a variety of shops in and around the city centre and along Oxford Road where you can buy bicycles. 

You can download maps that show all the cycle lanes in Manchester or collect one from the Manchester Visitor Information Centre (at the Town Hall in St. Peter's Square). 

The CycleGM website has more information about cycling in Greater Manchester.

Long-Distance Transport

The Directgov website has information about travelling and getting about in the UK.

Coaches (Long Distance Buses)

If you want to travel outside the Greater Manchester area, the cheapest way to travel is to buy a coach ticket. A number of coach companies operate services from Manchester to other parts of the UK . You can find out more about travelling by coach by going to Chorlton Street Coach Station in the centre of Manchester . The National Express website has more information regarding coach travel.

Trains

The Directgov website has information about train travel in the UK.

The city is served by two main rail stations - Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly - which are supported by other stations around the city centre - Oxford Road , Deansgate and Salford Central.

Trains are usually faster than other ways of travelling but they can be quite expensive. There are many train companies and the price of tickets varies depending upon where you want to go, the time you travel and whether or not you buy your ticket in advance. The cost of the tickets can be a lot cheaper if you can be flexible. You can ask at the station for the cheapest deals going to your destination.

It is usually cheaper to buy your train ticket in advance, so if you know when you want to travel and you do not think you will change your mind, go and buy your ticket as soon as possible.

If you do change your mind and you need to travel on a different day, you may have to buy a new ticket. In this case you will not be able to use the ticket that you bought in advance.

It can be cheaper to travel in the middle of the day and at weekends. It is often most expensive to travel by train before 9.30am in the morning. 

Railcards

Family Railcard - If you have children under the age of 16 you can buy a Family Rail Card for £24 for a year. You then get one third off adult fares and 60% off children's fares and this can make train travel much cheaper.

Young Person's Railcard - Young people aged between 16 and 25 can buy a Young Person's Railcard for £24 and get one third off the price of most tickets.

Disabled Person's Railcard - This costs £18 for a year or £48 for a three year railcard and you will get one third off the price of most tickets.

Senior Person's railcard - Anyone over the age of 60 can get this railcard. It costs £24 and gives you one third off the price of most tickets.

Buying Train Tickets

You can buy train tickets at any railway station in Manchester . Some travel agents also sell train tickets. You can also buy train tickets by telephoning

National Rail Enquiries (08457 484950) but you will need to pay by credit or debit card over the phone. You can plan your Coach or Train journey online at the Transport Direct website.

Cars

The Directgov website has a large section containing clear advice about driving in the UK.

Getting a Driving Licence 

If you have a foreign driving licence, you can use this to drive a car in the UK for up to 12 months. After this you need to get a UK licence.

In order to get a full UK driving licence you must first apply for a Provisional Licence.

Until you have passed a driving test, you must only drive when accompanied by an experienced driver who has already passed the driving test. 

The driving test includes a theory test and a practical test. You must take both. 

You will have to pay for both the theory and the practical tests, and if you fail either, you will have to pay again to retake the test. 

You must pass the theory test before you can take the practical test. The theory test can be taken in over 20 languages, and you should request your preferred language at the time of booking. 

The Directgov website will help you locate your nearest test centre.

Make sure that the language you have requested is recorded on the confirmation letter, which will be sent to you once you have booked your test(s). 

Forms to apply for your provisional licence are available at the post office. You must send off several forms of identity to get your provisional licence. If you have problems you should contact the DVLA.

Buying a Car

It is possible to buy cars quite cheaply in Manchester , however insuring, maintaining and running a car can be expensive. When you buy a car you must sign a registration document (which the person selling the car should have) and send it to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) straight away. This is to confirm that you own the car.

Costs of Driving 

Road Tax cost varies according to the engine size of the car). You will be given a Tax Disc to prove you have paid. This must be displayed at all times inside the windscreen of the car. 

Ministry of Transport (MOT) certificate is needed to show that the vehicle is safe to be on the road. All cars over 3 years old must have a valid MOT certificate. The MOT test is carried out by accredited garages, which display the sign (made up of three triangles). The test may cost around £40 (not including the cost of repairs). 

The cost of car insurance depends on many factors, including the age of the driver, the address your car is registered at, your occupation and the level of insurance cover you want. It can be anywhere from £200 to over £1000 per year. If you give the insurance company information which is untrue, your insurance will be invalid. Companies will investigate information after an accident.

Staying Legal

You need four things to be sure that you are driving legally:

• A valid Driving Licence 
• Insurance with the correct details about yourself and your car 
• Road Tax 
• An MOT certificate for all vehicles over 3 years old.

If you drive a car and do not have a valid licence, an MOT or road tax, your insurance will not be valid. Driving without insurance is unlawful. The Police have regular campaigns to reduce the number of people driving without insurance or tax. UK law allows police to take your vehicle away and keep it or crush it if you are driving unlawfully.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency  (DVLA) website has further information on driving and owning a car in the UK .

Staying Safe While Travelling

The Highway Code details all rules that all road users in the UK must obey.