Metrolink fares set for further rise
An increase in Metrolink fares by an average of 2.2%, equating to a 10p rise on some tickets, is due to be implemented from early 2020.
According to a report set to be signed-off today by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, there would be a 10p increase on some tickets, including adult one-day anytime and off-peak travelcards. Other fares would be capped at a 4% increase.
Children and concessionary fares are to be kept at the current 2019 price.
According to Transport for Greater Manchester, this raise “recognises the increases in operating costs and the required net revenue return required to support the financing of the Transport Fund capital programme.”
The Metrolink network is to introduce two additional ticket types. The first is the Early Bird, which was initially piloted in late 2018, where customers completing journeys before 7.30am were charged £1 for a single. This new Early Bird would only be available via contactless, which was brought in last year, and that customers touching in before 7am and after 9.30am would be charged the reduced off peak rate.
TfGM states that its implementation would “encourage existing customers who can to travel earlier and outside of the weekday peak when trams are less busy and would seek to encourage new or infrequent customers to use Metrolink and shift towards more sustainable modes of transport.”
The other ticket to be introduced is Carnet, which would initially only be available to purchase on the Get Me There smartcard. The offer would be launched as a pack of 10 one-day travelcards, available as zonal peak or off-peak tickets and would have to be used within the date of purchase. It would be discounted compared to purchasing the same number of tickets individually. Further work is to be done on its pricing before it is available, and the GMCA requested that the decision regarding price is delegated to the chief executive officer, GMCA and TfGM in consultation with the Mayor.
How about making everyone who gets on pay, then use the massive increase in profit to lower fares instead?
By Anonymous