A new bus route connecting parts of Salford to central Manchester and the Trafford Centre has been launched.
The new number 30 route passes through Media City and Ordsall, which were thought to be “previously underserved.”
Around 1,000 new apartments have been built along the Ordsall Lane corridor in recent years. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said the decision to introduce the 30 service will support the area’s growth.
The 30 bus began operating from the Trafford Centre on 4 January and runs through Trafford Park, to MediaCity, along Ordsall Lane and to the City Centre, servicing hundreds of new homes and connecting the city region’s fastest growing population with retail and economic hubs.
The fully electric service will run seven days a week. TfGM highlighted that Salford has seen the biggest population growth in the North West and said the new route will improve travel across the city for residents.
TfGM says the launch of the 30 bus route is part of their pledge to ensure 90% of residents are within a five-minute walk or wheeling distance of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes.
Fran Wilkinson, Head of Customer and Growth at TfGM, hailed the introduction of the new route, exactly one year after Greater Manchester became the first area outside of London to bring buses under local control after 40 years of deregulation.
He said: “By bringing buses under local control, we have put services back in the hands of our communities that make a real difference.
“It’s great to start the New Year off with another new service to better connect local residents, helping connect people to jobs, education and other opportunities across a growing and thriving Greater Manchester, so that everyone can live a good life.
“We’re seeing more and more people get on board with the Bee Network and we are determined to deliver continuous improvements across Greater Manchester to grow the network further in 2026.”
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “It is excellent news that the number 30 bus service has now begun operating in Salford — a positive start to 2026.
This new route will significantly improve sustainable travel options for residents in Ordsall, providing better connections to employment, education, and leisure opportunities across the city.
“A considerable amount of work has gone into securing developer funding to bring this service to life, and its launch demonstrates our ongoing commitment to enhancing connectivity and ensuring accessible, reliable public transport for all.”
Hi we need a bus that goes on camp street we had the number 27 that all the pensioners used but took the bus off if they need to go shopping they have to walk all the way down to catch the number 10 or go through Albert park to catch the number 52 it’s not fair they have to walk all that way the number 27 was right outside are home this was great for the pensioners they loved jumping on that bus just so they could get out for a little while it would be great if they could put it back on
Before the start of building on Ordsall lane,there are 4 bus stops on Ordsall lane,before the building,there were no busy running on Ordsall lane for 3 yrs,old people has to walk from there different home about 10mins to get the bus 79,round the corner,and walk back to there homes,after waiting at Salford princint for the bus 79,because it comes every l hr,now that bus 30,runs on Ordsall lane,this road is a long one,and you’ve only got 2 bus stops on Ordsall lane on the bus 30,this is another terrible walk for the old pet to carry there shopping,all the way to there homes,can you create more stops for the bus 30,on Ordsall lane pls?