Bee Network: Tram and bus fare dodging fines to rise

Fines for travelling without a valid ticket or pass on the tram are set to increase to £120 from next week – with the same change coming to newly franchised bus services under the Bee Network. 

The change is set to come in from Sunday, September 24.

Current tram fines are £100, though this is reduced to £50 if paid within two weeks. The new fine will work similarly, with the penalty fare set at £120, but reduced to £60 if paid within two weeks. 

However, the fine for those presenting a contactless card, currently set at £45, will only be increased to £60.

The same fines are also being introduced on Bee Network franchised bus services, which launch in Bolton, Wigan, and parts of Salford, Bury and Manchester on September 24.

Current penalty fares vary by operator, with Stagecoach setting its penalty fare at £50 and First setting its penalty fare at £20 – meaning a six times increase for those travelling without a ticket on services previously run by First, such as the V1, V2, and V4.

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Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is urging passengers to take note of the higher penalty fare and to ensure they touch in at the start and touch out at the end of every tram journey if using contactless, smart cards or concessionary passes.

From Monday, September 18, bus and tram tickets, as well as travelcards, can be bought through the new Bee Network app. Tickets can’t be bought on the tram.

As part of a crackdown, dozens of additional inspectors are being employed to catch fare dodgers.

Contactless payments can be made on the tram (Image: TfGM)

Metrolink operator KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) will also be deploying plainclothes officers to target passengers who deliberately avoid buying a ticket.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Fare evasion is something we take very seriously, and it will continue to be a priority as we move to the integrated Bee Network.

“While most people who travel by tram do so legally by purchasing a ticket, there are some who continue to think the rules do not apply to them.

“Our message is clear: if you travel on Metrolink without paying, you’ll now face a higher penalty fare, and you could be prosecuted.

“For 30 years Metrolink received no public subsidy, and the money we raised from fare-paying passengers is reinvested into the network for everyone’s benefit. If people are fare dodging, we won’t be able to improve the service we offer.

“Metrolink will play a vital role in realising our vision of a truly integrated public transport system, the Bee Network, which works for everyone. I would urge everyone to consider the consequences of fare evasion.”

Andy Burnham (Image: TfGM)

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Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “We’re increasing penalty fares to remind passengers to pay for their ticket before boarding a tram. It’s simple and it’s cheap so there is no excuse for free loading, and it won’t be tolerated.

“This year we have issued almost 55,000 penalty fares and brought just under 6,000 cases to court, with defendants receiving fines of up to £450.

“The easiest way to use Metrolink is the contactless system. Simply touch-on and touch-off for each journey and we’ll cap the amount you pay at the best price for each day or for a week if you are a regular user. You’ll always pay the lowest fare, and it’s far cheaper than being caught or ending up in court.”

TfGM added that, as a not-for profit organisation, all money generated from ticket sales is reinvested back into public transport services for the benefit of all passengers.

Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “Everyone using or working on our public transport network, including Metrolink, is entitled to feel safe at all times.

“Increasing the number of customer service representatives on Metrolink, and introducing enhanced ticket checking across the network, will support the great work that the TravelSafe Partnership already undertakes to help reassure passengers that they can travel safely and securely in Greater Manchester.”