Manchester Corporation Tramways Department
1899 The Tramways Committee of the Manchester Corporation invited tenders for the supply and delivery of steel girder tramway rails and fish-plates.
1921 Manchester Corporation, jointly with Ashton Corporation and Stalybridge Joint Board, took over the working of the Oldham, Ashton and Hyde Tramway on the expiry of its lease, making it possible for Manchester trams to work the Ashton via Guide Bridge section.
1923 the Middleton Electric Traction Co was acquired jointly by Middleton, Chadderton and Rochdale. Middleton granted Manchester a 30-year lease on the ex-company tracks on condition they were connected to neighbouring lines, which they duly were, enabling Corporation trams to run through to Rochdale.
Late 1920s: Manchester (in common with most other municipal authorities) was experiencing an increase in private competition to its tram services. The Tramways Department, with the co-operation of the surrounding local authorities, began to set up a network of local express bus services. It was an immediate success, prompting more services to be inaugurated.
1930 Tramcar route mileage reached a maximum at 163 miles. The fleet contained almost 1000 cars. After this tram routes were gradually abandoned in favour of buses. The name was changed from Manchester Corporation Tramways to Manchester Corporation Transport.
1937 the City Council decided to abandon the tramway system completely, anticipating that this could be done over the next three years, but the start of war in 1939 delayed these plans.
1949 The Stockport trams were the last survivors when they ceased operation in January.