Thousands of passengers taking ride on Forgetrolink

Revealed: 470,000 incomplete Metrolink journeys due to people not 'tapping out' on contactless system

- JOSEPH TIMAN

IT'S the simplest way to pay for the tram - as long as you remember to tap out.

Contactless card payments have been used on the Metrolink since 2021.

With two simple taps - one at each of the stops you start and end your journey at - fares are automatically calculated and capped depending on where you go and at what time. But if you forget to tap out, you might end up paying more.

In six months alone, Metrolink passengers have been caught out nearly half a million times, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

In response to a Freedom of Information request, the organisation revealed that from October 2022 to March 2023, there were 469,370 incomplete journeys, costing passengers £4.60 each time - even if they have reached the daily cap.

That means almost eight percent of all contactless journeys which make up nearly a third of all tram trips in total are incomplete journeys.

The figures have led some Metrolink passengers to question whether the system is fit for purpose.

Abbey Robinson 'always' forgets to tap out.

"It does my head in," she says. "I think it would be better if it was like in London where you have a barrier."

As she hops on her tram to New Islington, Chris Singleton from Bowker Vale arrives at St Peter's Square saying that his bank card is 'not working. He tried to tap in at Besses o' th' Barn but the machine did not accept his card, he says.

"I always tap in and tap out," he says. "It's quick - but it's quicker if it works."