‘Pay as you go’ roll-out announced for more than 90 rail stations in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands
- 'Tap in, tap out' coming to stations across Greater Manchester and the West Midlands next year.
- Part of plans to introduce 'pay as you go' into metropolitan areas outside London.
- Integration with bus and tram for a more seamless travel experience.
- An important step towards making fares and ticketing simpler and more convenient for customers.
More than 90 rail stations in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester are set to be part of new ‘pay as you go’ pilot schemes next year.
The 'tap in, tap out' pilots will launch in 2025 across Greater Manchester and the West Midlands - including Wolverhampton where the formal announcement was made by Rail Minister, Huw Merriman.
Stewart Fox-Mills, Director for Fares, Ticketing and Retail at GBRTT said:
"Buying a train ticket is often too complicated. Which is why work to simplify the experience customers have is such a vital part of wider rail reforms.
"Partnership working, bringing the railway together to work with local partners, has unlocked pilots that will deliver a more seamless travel experience for customers in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. GBRTT will continue to work with partners to deliver a more locally accountable, integrated rail network."
Our vision for Great British Railways is to bring different parties together so that decisions about transport are made in partnership with people who know what's best for their region, in areas such as local ticketing, services and stations.
Our partnership work with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester lays the foundations for this, and brings together key organisations involved in the wider region's transport to have a positive impact on customer’s experience of rail today.
Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tap-in-tap-out-train-travel-is-on-track-for-the-west-midlands-and-greater-manchester