Metrolink conductors plan moves step closer

The introduction of conductors to combat yobs and fare-dodging on the troubled Rochdale to Oldham Metrolink line has moved a step closer.

Councillors gave their backing to a Liberal Democrat motion calling for guards on trams on the route, given the high levels of anti-social behaviour.

Council officials will now write to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) asking bosses to consider a 12-month pilot.

The motion was backed by Labour, with an amendment stressing the work already done by the council’s TfGM representative, Councillor Phil Burke.

However, the Conservatives did not vote for the motion, citing concern over how effective conductors could be in tackling the problem.

But the Liberal Democrats say that action is urgently needed after a spate of violent incidents and that fare-dodging is costing thousands every month.

Their leader Councillor Andy Kelly told the council chamber the move was ‘an absolute no-brainer.’

He said: “I’m happy with a minor amendment if it gets us safer Metrolink teams, safer journeys for constituents and raises income.

“There are genuinely people who are scared to get on the tram and won’t get on the tram after a certain time, and hopefully this will eradicate that.”

Conservative representative Councillor Pat Sullivan said it was ‘not fair’ to expect conductors to tackle unruly youths, and that it would end up with the public having to get involved in difficult situations.

And her colleague, Councillor James Gartside, questioned how the scheme could be funded.

But Councillor Kelly said: “Conductors are not your idea of a traditional friendly conductor, they have bodycams, they are trained people.

“I’m staggered every single time by the number of people who always get off when a conductor gets on my tram or fail to get on when they see there’s one already on the tram.”

And he insisted that the scheme could be paid for by lost revenue – which the Liberal Democrats estimate to be around £9m per year.

Conservative councillor John Taylor said his party shared concerns over fare-evasion and intimidating behaviour on the line but did not agree conductors were the answer.

He said: “I think the issue here is; is putting a conductor on a tram with no powers to deal with anti-social behaviour the right way to solve this? I’m sure we all want to find a solution to it, but I’m not convinced this is the right one.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter