West Midlands Metro is set to embark upon a new chapter this week with the launch of a new way to pay for travel on the expanding tram network.
From Wednesday 26 February, passengers will be able to purchase tickets from newly installed machines at stops across the tram network, before boarding the tram.
This advancement aligns with Metro’s commitment to providing a smooth and customer-friendly travel experience. In addition to the new ticket machines, passengers can continue to use the My Metro App, which offers a variety of money-saving options for regular travellers, and Swift cards, which can now be topped up via the machines.
Michael Reading-Skilton, Head of Commercial at Metro, explained: “After weeks of rigorous testing, we’re ready to activate the machines. This marks a significant step forward for the network, especially as we prepare for our future extensions to Dudley and Birmingham Eastside.
He added, “The new system brings us in line with other tram networks across the country, where ‘Buy Before You Board’ has proven to be a more convenient, efficient, and fairer way to pay for tram travel.
To ease the transition, Metro colleagues will be available at stops over the coming days to assist customers with any questions about the new way to pay. The machines accept both cash and card payments, ensuring accessibility for all our customers. Once a ticket is purchased, customers should keep it readily available for inspection by our onboard team, who will continue to ensure that everyone has a valid ticket for their journey.
Metro Mascots, Wes and Mindy have become familiar faces across the network and will help the team to promote the new way to buy tickets and educate passengers about Buy Before You Board. Their handy tutorials, offering instructions on how to use the ticket machines, their locations along with other payment methods, are available on Metro’s dedicated web page, which can be found here.
“Although the introduction of ticket machines will mean a significant change for our customers, we’ll help them get used to the new process every step of the way,” Michael added.
