Metrolink - I'm very confused!

I've just got off the phone from their customer services, who insisted that a train ticket to Altrincham isn't valid on the tram unless it says "Route Metrolink" or "Manchester Central Zone".

Now, this sounds like absolutely codswallop to me, because I've never been picked up by the ticket inspectors for that - and I've travelled to Altrincham several times from outside Manchester that way.

She couldn't even tell me where on the ticket it's supposed to go... I mean, the "to" and "from" fields are already filled up! Or would that mean I'd be forced to use the tram, and couldn't go there by train?

When I pressed her, all she could say was "We're a private company, not an integrated transport system - we don't get any government subsidy".

All I can say is... I won't be using them again unless I have to. I can understand where they're coming from, but none of this is explained anywhere (the only posters I've ever seen have stated that any ticket with the name of a Metrolink stop on is fine).

It all seems like a conspiracy to fine us - I'm not in the habit of carrying £10 around with me "just in case", and it's not worth risking £20 for the sake of a more convenient and shorter journey.

Reply 1

AT82

It is a bit a bit confusing, I think GMPTE need to do more to simplify ticketing in Greater Manchester. They have put their foot in it by saying its a private company, its run by Serco on the behalf of GMPTE. Although a private company operates it the Metrolink is a public funded transport system and they do get subsidies from GMPTE for running it. In fact GMPTE to pay them to run it which is what I understand anyway.

The Central Zone is supposed to cover Manchester city centre, so if you get off the train technicaly you can't use the ticket to go outside the city centre. The idea is to link Picciddily Station with Victoria.

Reply 2

Ana

AT82

The Central Zone is supposed to cover Manchester city centre, so if you get off the train technicaly you can't use the ticket to go outside the city centre. The idea is to link Picciddily Station with Victoria.

I knew that - I don't know why she didn't :confused:

She didn't seem to want to be very helpful. When I mentioned that National Rail seemed convinced it would be fine, she said "Oh, yes, we're having problems with them", and launched into the "We're a private company" speech.

Reply 3

Ana

So, anyway, what's this "Route Metrolink" business? I've never heard of that before... I was under the impression you were ticketed for either the stop name, or Manchester CNTZ for the free-travel-within-the-city-centre thing?

Reply 4

Jimmocrates

The way I see it, if you have a train ticket with "Manchester CTZ" on, you can travel between the stops of Victoria, Market Street, Picadilly(+Gardens), St Peter Sq, Gmex. Beyond that, you need a ticket.

The system is awful though. When I first used it i thought i'd be able to get the cheaper ticket cos i have a young persons railcard and i'm a student, but i read the finer print and found out that wasn't so (before getting on the tram), so i got another ticket to make up the difference, but the tram inspector didn't understand that i had paid the full fare, but bought 2 tickets and marched me off the tram, making me late for my hospital placement thing in the process. i was so pissed off.

Meanwhile, anyone who uses the tram at rush hour can get by without paying cos i have NEVER seen an inspector on the tram, cos it just gets so crowded and packed, [end of rant]

Reply 5

Ana

Jimmocrates

Meanwhile, anyone who uses the tram at rush hour can get by without paying cos i have NEVER seen an inspector on the tram, cos it just gets so crowded and packed, [end of rant]

i have to admit, I don't see how they could inspect tickets on busy trams.

I've been on trams that were so packed that there wasn't any room to manoveure - everytime someone wanted to get off, everyone between them and the door had to get off as well to let them off! Took ages to get moving at each stop... :rofl:

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