Greater Manchester commuters will soon benefit from a smart ticketing system set to be the city’s own version of London’s Oyster card.
The new Get Me There scheme hopes to revolutionise the way commuters pay for travel in the region, creating a simpler and more flexible transport system whether by bus, tram or train.
The much anticipated new system is due to be rolled out in full in 2014, with the first Get Me There validators due to be installed on Metrolink stops later this year.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, was eager to highlight the new system.
He said: “Get Me There is one of the most exciting developments in public transport in Greater Manchester in many years.
“It will revolutionise the way that people pay for their transport needs, and will help to remove many of the barriers that get in the way of people making best use of our buses, trains and trams.”
Councilor Fender was quick to point out that the new system will utilise more than just a single Oyster-style card.
He said: “We knew that people would expect our scheme to be like Oyster, but both life and technology have moved on since its introduction.
“People will have a variety of ways to use Get Me There and that’s why our focus is about what the system can do for you, rather than the name of a single card.
As well as a dedicated card, customers with existing TfGM-issued cards, such as an IGO or national concessionary scheme card will be able to use these and contactless-enabled debit cards.
Commuters will be able to use the scheme by simply touching any Get Me There enabled device onto an electronic validator which will check whether the passenger has credit to travel.
The scheme has the full backing of bus chiefs with ticket validators already installed on the biggest firm’s vehicles.
Chris Bowles, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: “If you include all the existing concessionary card holders there are over half a million smart-enabled cards already out there in Greater Manchester.
“Once the scheme goes live, concession holders will be able to register with Get Me There to enhance the benefits of their existing card.”
First Group’s Richard Soper sees the introduction of the cards as the next big step in making travelling with different operators easier for the public.
He said: “It will give everyone greater choice and greater flexibility in their travel options, as well as making it easier to purchase and use multimodal tickets.”
MM took to the streets to find out what you thought about the new scheme:
Jessie Peacock, 16, a college student in the city, commuting from Cheshire thought the scheme was a good idea. She said: “I think it’s a good idea. I lose my tickets and I need to get a railcard out as well. It would be easier to just have one card.”
Chris Gill, 58, a journalist from Bedfordshire and regular visitor to Manchester added: “They need to be integrated into a one-stop shop. It needs to be affordable with good advertising – it will cut queues at bus stops and save time.”
Commuters can register their interest and find more information about the scheme at www.getmethere.com or though TfGM Travelshops.
Picture courtesy of Firing up the quattro via Flickr, with thanks
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