Metrolink fares are set to rise
COUNCIL bosses are poised to approve plans to raise Metrolink ticket prices by an average of 5.93 per cent from January 2018.
If given the green light, it would be the first segment of a three-year ‘phased’ price rise, in line with the results of a public fare survey.
Child fares would be half-price, with off-peak or weekend tickets for 16 to 18-year-olds also slashed by 50pc.
The cost of ‘quick issues’ special event tickets – like those for football matches – will also go up from £3 to £4.
The cash is needed so that Transport for Greater Manchester can cover its operating costs and debts accrued from the expansion after a price freeze since January 2014.
The hike has been calculated as 1.33pc on top of Retail Price Index plus 1pc for each of the three years.
Fares will then be rounded to the nearest 20p.
It brings to an end the fare freeze, which began in January 2014 to make amends for ongoing works on the network including the Second City Crossing.
But that reprieve for passengers has cost transport bosses £61m and now they need to balance the books.
On the half-price child tickets, Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor, said: “I am committed to putting young people at the heart of my manifesto and a key part of that was to open up opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds in Greater Manchester.
“There is still a way to go but half-price travel on our Metrolink, together with half-price bus travel, are steps in the right direction.
“I remain absolutely committed to the introduction of free travel for all 16 to 18-year-olds and will continue working towards that ultimate goal – ensuring young people can more easily access jobs, training, education and all the other opportunities that Greater Manchester offers.”
From 2021, fare changes will revert to RPI plus 1pc.
Back in 2014, the average ticket price went up by 4.2pc.