Free tram travel for NHS workers and social care staff from Saturday 11 April

Critical frontline NHS staff and people working in social care will be able to travel for free on Metrolink from Saturday 11 April.

Free tram travel is intended to help frontline care professionals who have no other choice and will apply to essential journeys made by all staff employed by the NHS, social care staff and care worker staff who are caring for those affected by coronavirus:

• Adults and Children’s Social Workers and Care Workers employed directly by local authorities and those employed by the private, voluntary and independent sectors.
• NHS workers and those providing critical services to the NHS or patients either employed directly by the NHS or by the private, voluntary and independent sectors including auxiliary roles.
• People who have already bought a Metrolink travelcard can apply for a refund.

Mayor Andy Burnham announced the plans today (8 April). He said: “We’re all in awe of what our staff are doing in the NHS right now, it is so difficult out there.

“We’ve been wanting to see what more we can do to show we recognise what NHS staff are going through but also the disruption to their family life, possibly facing greater costs than they would normally do as the world has changed over the last few weeks.”

He added: “Sometimes the social care workforce is forgotten and doesn’t get the same level of recognition.

“I want to ensure that we see health and social care as one system. We recognise that they’re all on that frontline right now supporting people with coronavirus.

“Having spoken to the leaders, we all agreed from Saturday that we will make Metrolink free to our NHS and social care staff as a small gesture of thank you to them for everything they are doing right now.”

The announcement follows a call from Heywood & Middleton MP, Chris Clarkson MP last week for free transport for NHS frontline staff.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/133747/heywood-and-middleton-mp-chris-clarkson-leads-call-for-free-transport-for-nhs-workers-during-national-emergency

Responding to the news, Chris said: “I’m delighted with this news having led the calls for the implementation of this excellent scheme at a time of national emergency. It is vital at this time that we all play our part in defeating coronavirus and giving support to our inspirational NHS workers is the very least we can do.”

Bus and rail travel

Mayor Andy Burnham has asked government to confirm a similar free travel arrangement for bus and rail services as part of national funding arrangements.

Vision Bus services are offering free travel to any NHS member of staff upon presentation of their staff ID to drivers.

Unless essential travel is required, households should continue to follow the government’s advice and guidance to remain at home and help to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Government guidance advises people to not travel unnecessarily and stay local to your home, whilst only going outside with members of your own household, and gatherings of more than two people (excluding families) in parks and public spaces have been banned.