The penalty for travelling on West Midlands Metro without a valid ticket is set to rise to £100 as part of wider transformation plans to overhaul existing ticketing arrangements.
In the New Year, customers will need to purchase a ticket before boarding the tram, bringing the West Midlands Metro into line with similar transport systems across the country.
Michael Reading-Skilton, Metro’s Head of Commercial, explained: “While fare evasion on the Metro is no higher than on other tramways, the vast majority of our customers feel it is unfair that some people think they can get away with travelling without a ticket.
“We share their frustration, and the increase in the penalty fare will act as a further deterrent to this unacceptable behaviour as we move towards a new, more convenient ticketing system that promotes fairness and aligns the Metro with wider industry standards.”
Over the past year, the Metro has been embarking on a wide-ranging campaign to ensure customers are aware of the various ticketing options coming into place before the penalty fares increase from £10 to £100 come into force and for the implementation of the ‘Buy Before You Board’ policy.
Customers will have begun to see validator poles being installed at tram stops across the network. These are part of the preparations for the new system, which will come into effect before the penalty fare increases.
Validators will be switched on in the New Year, giving customers the ability to ‘Tap-in and Tap-out’ with their bank card, travel pass, or smart device to make quick and secure contactless payments for their journeys. This new way to pay will sit alongside the existing options, including ticket machines introduced earlier this year, MyMetro app, and the Swift card.
“On board trams and at stops, our new customer team will be equipped with the latest technology to check passengers have a valid ticket or pass, and to issue penalty fares to those who haven’t paid,” Michael said.
“Although the changes will not come into effect for a few months, we want to give customers plenty of time to familiarise themselves with the new ticketing systems and arrangements.”
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