As our network grows, we want buying a ticket to feel the same wherever you travel. Buy Before You Board brings us in line with other transport operators, gives you more ways to pay, and keeps things fair for everyone travelling with us.
Buy Before You Board is now fully in place across the West Midlands Metro network. Conductors have been withdrawn and pasesengers you must have a valid ticket or pass before you board every tram, every time. Revenue Officers are carrying out checks across the network to make sure everyone travels with a valid ticket.
From 13 September, Buy Before You Board is fully in effect. Conductors no longer sell tickets on board. You must buy or activate your ticket before you travel, using a ticket machine, the MyMetro app, or a Swift card.
Most Metro customers pay for their journey. Travelling without a valid ticket is unfair to those who do pay and reduces the income available to operate and improve the network.
Every ticket purchased helps fund:
Reliable tram services
Network maintenance
Service improvements
Future investment and expansion
Buy Before You Board ensures everyone pays their fare thus contributing fairly, speeds up boarding and improves the overall customer experience.
Revenue Officers are now carrying out ticket checks across the network, using handheld technology to inspect tickets, passes and mobile payments. They’re on trams and at stops, making sure things are fair for everyone.
If you’re found without a valid ticket or pass, and you had the chance to buy one, you’ll be issued a £100 Penalty Fare Notice.
If you travel on a tram, or you’re on the platform having just got off one, without a valid ticket or pass, and you had the chance to buy one, you’ll be issued a £100 Penalty Fare.
This brings West Midlands Metro in line with national transport standards and helps reduce deliberate fare evasion across the network.
Pay for daily, weekly, or monthly tickets by zone or destination before you board the tram.
Pay for single, daily, weekly, or monthly tickets by destination or zone as well as top up your Swift card.
Pay for daily, weekly, monthly or annual season tickets and add money to your Swift card.
This is now the rule across the West Midlands Metro network: this means you must have a valid ticket or pass before boarding the tram, rather than buying one once you’re on board.
Buy Before You Board has been fully in place since 13 September 2026. Conductors are no longer on board to sell tickets, so you must buy your ticket or pass before boarding. Find out ways to buy before you board here
No. Conductors have been withdrawn from the network. You must buy or activate your ticket before you board.
If a ticket machine is unavailable, you should use another available option, such as the MyMetro app or another machine at the stop. If a genuine issue prevented you from purchasing a valid ticket, the circumstances will be taken into account.
A Revenue Officer will ask to see your ticket or pass on the tram or on the platform as you get off. If you don’t have one and you had the chance to buy one, you’ll be issued a £100 Penalty Fare.
Yes, if issued by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Older persons and disabled persons passes give free travel after 9:30 am. Passes issued by other local authorities aren’t valid on Metro.
Yes, any tram tickets issued on a Swift card will be valid. Make sure your ticket is in date and covers the zones you are travelling in.
Yes, Swift Go will continue to be accepted on tram. You can find out how to use Swift Go on tram on the Swift Go webpage.
