Manchester prepare for post-pandemic with new flexi smart tickets
As transport services prepare for the return of more passengers post-pandemic, Manchester’s Metrolink passengers are being offered a new flexible ITSO smart ticket as part of Greater Manchester’s plans to ensure the region’s economy can reopen safely following Coronavirus lockdown.
#SafeGM - Safely Reopening GM is a campaign delivered by the Growth Company in partnership with run by Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, designed to ensure that employers and employees are aware of the information they need to work and travel safely during the continuing pandemic.
Part of the initiative for transport is to increase the Metrolink frequency to provide more frequent run services and capacity for passengers. Introduction of the ‘Clipper’ ITSO based smart card on Metrolink now provides discounted travel for people working more flexibly and travelling less often.
The new Clipper ticket provides 10 identical day travelcards (any zone combination, for anytime or off-peak) for the price of nine. The product can be bought online and loaded onto your get me there smart card, removing the need to queue at ticket machines or handle cash. The new flexible ticket scheme is intended to help people manage a working week which might be mixing working from home with working in the office.
Clipper was launched in June and tram frequency was increased to 10-minute intervals. Metrolink is running as many double trams as possible to ensure there is enough space for passengers to observe social distancing.
For more information on the Clipper see here.