Bus Information and Timetables:
Updated for Sept 2026
Below are the updated timetables for school bus services to and from Altrincham College from September 2026.
TfGM have made changes to the routes to balance out student numbers across the network of services which serve Altrincham College.
Please ensure that you check this new information carefully.
A summary of the changes for September 2026 is below:
- Service 773 is curtailed at Bowdon and rerouted to omit Broadheath in the morning.
- Service 777 is withdrawn.
- Afternoon service 738 is curtailed at Sale, Broad Road.
- New service 732 from Broadheath is introduced.
- Service 776 is rerouted to start on Woodhouse Lane and operate via Ashton-on-Mersey, Brooklands and Broomwood.
Our services will either be operated by Metroline Manchester or Diamond Bus.
Please be aware that an IGO pass is *required* to travel using a child ticket on buses and trams in Greater Manchester, including school services. Operators may refuse travel to students not in possession of an IGO pass.
For up-to-date information on using school services, please visit Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM Travelling to school | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM
There is also a dedicated page for Altrincham College: Altrincham College | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM
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:
- 737 - from Glebelands Road (Sale), operated by Metroline
- 738 - from Sale Metrolink (Broad Road), operated by Metroline.
- 772 - from Norris Road/Helsby Road, operated by Metroline.
- 732 – from Manchester Rd/Stamford Brook, operated by Metroline.
- 773 – Langham Rd/Vicarage Lane 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.
- 779 - from Wythenshawe (Asda), via Broomwood, operated by Diamond.
- 776 – from Woodhouse Lane (Ashton) via Broomwood, operated by Metroline.
Please see the documents below for more details of bus stops and times on the above routes.
Full details are available on the TFGM (Bee Network) website: Altrincham College | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM 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)
- 288 (via Hale Barns to Manchester Airport)
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: igo card | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM
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 | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM 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.
