More than a million contactless Metrolink journeys made in its first four months

More than a million contactless Metrolink journeys made in the system's first four months.

More than a million contactless journeys have been made on Manchester's Metrolink system - just four months after it launched.

This milestone for the new payment system suggests people are quickly adopting the easy-to-use way to pay.

Contactless cuts out the need to buy a paper ticket or download the app - passengers use a contactless-enabled device, such as a bank card, phone or smart watch, to ‘touch-in’ and ‘touch-out’ at tram stops at the start and end of their journey, with the system working out their fare, up to a daily cap.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I’m pleased that Greater Manchester residents and our many visitors are taking advantage of contactless payments on Metrolink.

“It’s making tram travel easier, and opening up our region to jobs, leisure, skills and education opportunities. This is another step on our way to the integrated, London-style transport system we want to see here.”

December is regularly Metrolink’s busiest month, with approximately 300,000 extra journeys expected to be made. 

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “Christmas is the busiest time of year for Metrolink, with lots to see and do right on our doorstep.

“We expect to see somewhere in the region of 10,000 extra journeys being made every day throughout December.

“Many of those customers will be occasional users visiting the festive markets, socialising, or working in seasonal jobs, and contactless is the ideal way for these people to pay for their travel."

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