Passengers warned over new tram ticket machine tape scam
AMETROLINK passenger is warning fellow commuters to be vigilant after discovering ticket machines were taped up to steal change.
Sandra Goodwin, from Timperley, and friend Janette Rumney, were buying a ticket at St Peter’s Square station last Friday evening.
Janette, who lives in Darlington, was visiting Manchester for the first time and needed a ticket to travel to Navigation Road.
She paid for a single fare costing £4.30 with a £20 note, but was left frustrated when the machine did not give back any change.
The friends immediately called Metrolink for a refund and were told to check the change slot of the ticket machine.
Sandra was shocked to discover a piece of black gaffer tape sealing the machine, enabling the culprit to pocket passengers’ change.
Janette was able to retrieve £7.90 of the change she was owed, but there was still £7.80 missing.
The pair then checked all three ticket machines at the station and discovered every one had been tampered with.
Janette said she was told by Metrolink the remaining money will be refunded.
Sandra, 55, a Swinton Insurance worker, said: “Metrolink said it has been a problem all day and they are trying to get somebody to get there.
“After we found the tape I checked the other three machines and they all had had a lovely time. She had kept saying how lovely Manchester was, but then she lost £16.”
Sandra shared images of the gaffer tape on Facebook to warn other Metrolink passengers to check ticket machines if they are not receiving change.
Last July, police launched an investigation following a similar scam at Market Street where slot machines were taped up with gaffer tape.
In 2015, three people were arrested after sticky tack was stuffed into a ticket machine at the same station.
And in July 2015 pieces of cardboard were reportedly stuffed inside machines at Radcliffe station to prevent change from coming out.