Metrolink announces increased fines for tram and bus fare dodgers

Metrolink today announced increased fines for tram fare dodgers across Greater Manchester. Passengers caught on the city region's new franchised 'Bee' buses without a valid ticket will also face the same penalty from later this month.

The Manchester Evening News reported last year Metrolink bosses were looking at changing the £100 standard fare after the Government announced increased penalties for rail fare evasion in England.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) today announced the penalty fare for travelling without a valid ticket or pass on Metrolink will rise by £20 to £120 from September 24, when the first publicly-controlled buses take to the roads here after almost 40 years.

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Metrolink said it was acting as part of ongoing efforts to tackle fare evasion on public transport - and urged passengers to ensure they touch-in at the start, and touch-out at the end, of every journey when using contactless, smart cards or concessionary passes.

Fines will reduce to £60, a rise of £10 from £50, if paid within two weeks. The penalty for failing to pay by contactless, currently set at £45, will also increase to £60, TfGM added.

Metrolink said the number of staff across the network to check payments would be boosted, with 'dozens' of extra Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) set to be employed.

Figures show that so far this year, 55,000 penalty fares have been issued, with just under 6,000 cases brought to court. In court, convicted fare dodgers can expect fines of as much as £450.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said: "Fare evasion is something we take very seriously, and it will continue to be a priority