Smart ticketing taking off

Smart ticketing in Greater Manchester

Thousands of passengers in Greater Manchester are now using smart technology to make their journeys easier. 

Greater Manchester has the largest multi-operator ticketing scheme in the UK outside London, with get me there the only smart ticketing option offering local bus passengers the ability to switch between different bus companies as a part of their journey.

The latest figures produced by Greater Manchester Travelcards Ltd (GMTL), which manages multi-operator and combined bus and tram ticketing in Greater Manchester, show that get me there now accounts for almost nine out of ten 28-day or 7-day tickets.

More than 10,000 get me there smart cards are being used each week across Greater Manchester, accounting for thousands more individual trips each day.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chairman of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “We knew passengers were ready to embrace smarter travel solutions and after just a year of get me there we can see how popular it’s been.

“This wouldn’t have happened without TfGM actively supporting GMTL and the bus operators, including financial assistance, in ensuring a consistent offer was provided for all bus passengers across Greater Manchester.

“We know passengers want even smarter solutions, adding convenience, flexibility and value, and TfGM is working hard to deliver that, alongside GMTL.

“By the end of next year, passengers can expect to see get me there rolled out further to include combined bus and tram tickets.”

TfGM’s plan for smart ticketing during 2017 also includes more places and ways to buy get me there products.

The get me there mobile ticketing app for Metrolink has also proved a big hit with tram passengers and now accounts for around 20,000 journeys a day, making up almost one-tenth of all adult ticket sales.

In addition, contactless bank card payments are now available on all 250 ticket machines at tram stops.

Further ahead there are plans for the roll-out of more smart travel solutions.