Concessionary pass holders encouraged not to travel to renew tram and train add-on

Any existing concessionary passes due to expire shortly can still be used until 31 March 2021

More than 100,000 concessionary pass holders in Greater Manchester whose tram and train add-on is due to expire are being encouraged not to travel to renew their pass.

Instead, anyone who bought the £10 add-on in early 2020 and who needs to travel for a legally permitted reason will still be able to use their pass, without renewing, until 31 March 2021.

The move is intended to minimise unnecessary trips on public transport and to TfGM Travelshops or PayPoint stores during lockdown, to help protect those most at risk from coronavirus.

Passholders that haven’t previously paid, but do need to make essential journeys, will still need to pay £10 to add tram and train.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The decision to extend the deadline for tram and train add-on renewals means that while we encourage passengers to not travel, those that need to for legally permitted reasons can do so with their existing pass.

“We hope this makes it much easier for thousands of people to continue to follow the latest government advice - staying at home to help protect the NHS and save lives and only making journeys for legally permitted reasons.”

TfGM Customer Director, Stephen Rhodes, said: “Passenger safety is paramount, so we are extending the deadline as the majority of our concessionary pass holders will fall in the higher risk category during the pandemic.

“Even after the 31 March, people need only renew their pass when they plan to start travelling again by tram or train, as the £10 add-on will last for a full year from any new start date.”

Pension-age travel-pass holders are required to pay £10 for the tram and train ‘add-on’ to their pass, which provides unlimited off-peak tram and train travel across Greater Manchester for 12 months.

The add-on does not affect bus travel, which remains free under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS). In addition, anyone with a disability who has a concessionary travel pass from TfGM is not affected by the change.