New Metrolink zonal fares

Proposed new Metrolink zonal fares

A radical change to Metrolink fares and ticketing is set to be considered by council bosses at a meeting of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) this week, would see the introduction of a completely new approach to fares and ticketing and would sweep away the existing system – replacing it a four zone system similar to London’s travel network.

If approved by GMCA, the change, which would take place early next year (2019), would cut the current 8,500 stop-to-stop fare combinations to just 10 zone-based fares, providing unlimited travel within chosen zones, instead of one-off journeys between specific stops.

The new system would also help to pave the way for a fully-integrated ticketing system for Greater Manchester.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said: “The fares and ticketing system in Greater Manchester is too complex, too disjointed and in need of an overhaul.

“I speak to a lot of people who ask me: 'Why can’t we have a system like London?' It’s a fair question, as anyone who’s travelled there knows just how ahead they are when it comes to fares and ticketing.

“Devolution gives us the opportunity to put this right and develop a system that is simple, convenient and offers better value for money.

“We are already seeing signs of this; we’ve introduced combined bus and tram tickets to our smart cards and will see contactless payment introduced on Metrolink later in the year.

“Zonal is the real building block that will set the foundations for a system that is integrated, that allows people to swap seamlessly between modes, offers the freedom to enjoy more journeys for the same price and represents a fair fare for all.”

Ahead of any potential change, customers will be able to use contactless payments to  tap on and off trams.

Under current proposals the majority of zonal fares would be set to the lowest current prices and also remove pricing differences within the current fare structure, bringing Metrolink in line with many other European tram networks that have similar structures.

Customers would be able to use all existing and future ticketing and payment channels to travel, including contactless payment, paper tickets or the get me there app or smart card.

A map of the proposed zones has been produced.

A public listening exercise is set to run ahead of any final decision being made about the proposed change. This will include an online questionnaire to gather feedback.