Transport for Greater Manchester
Transport for Greater Manchester has let the contract for an expansion of the Metrolink tram network which will see it almost treble in size.
The Metrolink expansion project will more than double the existing number of stops – from 38 to nearly 100 – and it is planned that a smart ticketing system will be introduced. To put this into context, the London Underground has 260 stops.
The new ticketing system will use both ITSO-compliant smartcards and contactless bank cards.
Passengers will be able to load ITSO-compliant smartcards online, at ticket vending machines or Travelshops, or use contactless bank cards to pay as they go. The scheme will also include concessionary and season tickets.
Metrolink passenger journeys are expected to treble from the current 20 million a year to 60 million a year.
Dave Busby, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Integrated Systems Manager, said: “The focus is to provide customers with a flexible, comprehensive, user-friendly service which offers an effective alternative to the car by breaking down the barriers to entry.
“By offering the use of both ITSO cards and contactless bank cards to effectively hold the ticket products, we hope to encourage more use of the system and reduce our costs of sale.
”In another initiative, next month will see the final stage of the rollout of the ‘igo’ young person’s travel pass for 11 to 16 year olds, when it will become compulsory. This pass proves the holder’s eligibility to pay half the adult fare on bus services in Greater Manchester.
There is a £5 charge for the pass, but there is an additional reduction of £1 on the SystemOne weekly season ticket and applicants also get various money-saving vouchers and discounts on food and entertainment.
Like the Transport for London (TfL) and other systems, passes can also be used to control unruly behaviour on public transport through confiscation, and drivers no longer face on-board challenges from young people about their age.
The next challenge for Greater Manchester is looking at smart ticketing for all bus and rail services. Greater Manchester’s transport network covers 496 square miles. With some 2,500 buses run by three main operators and up to 40 smaller, commercial operators, that is quite a challenge.
A small pilot scheme has already been held in Bolton through the sQuid card, which can be used as a concessionary card and topped up online for pay-as-you-go fares. It can also be used as a citizen card to access libraries and local amenities.
Said Dave: “The sQuid scheme has established that we can get the technology to work. However, we are now looking at a much bigger picture, joining up tram, bus and rail.
“Rail will be key to all of this and the franchises for trains running in our region are coming up for renewal over the next few years.
“We will be working very closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) to find something that works for our residents.”
April 2011
