Fares via Manchester including Metrolink validity: has this changed recently?

[yorkie]

Have fares routed 00318 "via METROLINK CTLZ" been re-routed to 00312 "via Manchester"?

I have tried various examples of fares which I know which previously had route code 318, but now have route code 312

I think the wording on the TfGM website may have changed, as I think it used to say tickets had to be routed via Manchester Ctlz, but now reads as follows:

Train and tram return combined peak ticket (adult)

You can buy tickets that combine Metrolink tram trips with Greater Manchester train journeys, instead of getting two separate tickets

tfgm.com

You can also travel on Metrolink in zone 1 (See tram map) at no extra cost if you have one of the following tickets:

1. The destination on your train ticket is “Manchester Central Zone” (MANCHESTER CTLZ). This is available for train tickets from anywhere in Greater Manchester into Manchester city centre.
2. A train ticket from and to any Greater Manchester train station, where you need to change between city centre stations within Metrolink Zone 1 (See tram map). You can use the tram to change between the two city centre train stations for no extra cost.

The cost of the ticket depends on how far you're travelling.

Does anyone know exactly when this changed, what the rationale between the change is, and how inspectors are supposed to know if both the origin and destination are both within Greater Manchester? Or maybe they now look for "via Manchester" and accept any ticket with that routeing (even if the origin and/or destination are outside Greater Manchester)

I understand from certain sources that in reality Metrolink inspectors accept any rail ticket with validity via Manchester, rather than trying to figure out if both the origin and destination are both within Greater Manchester.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can shed any light on this!

 

[Djgr]

how inspectors are supposed to know if both the origin and destination are both within Greater Manchester?

Well presumably they learn them like you learnt the periodic table at school.

 

[cool110]

It appears to have been done in the 5th of July fares round

 

[TUC]

how inspectors are supposed to know if both the origin and destination are both within Greater Manchester?

Isn't that no different a question to how they know which stations are within the boundaries of any area/zonal-based ticket?

 

[yorkie]

Isn't that no different a question to how they know which stations are within the boundaries of any area/zonal-based ticket?

Are tickets issued to point to point metrolink stations or are they issued to zonal locations?

Would they need to 'know' this, given there are almost certainly network maps on board the trams? And would the inspectors not carry network maps?

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect Metrolink ticket inspectors to either have knowledge of, or easy access to, the full zonal information for stations within their own network? But I don't see that as equivalent to having the same level of knowledge to the National Rail network, if that's what you are suggesting?

 

[TUC]

Are tickets issued to point to point metrolink stations or are they issued to zonal locations?

Would they need to 'know' this, given there are almost certainly network maps on board the trams? And would the inspectors not carry network maps?

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect Metrolink ticket inspectors to either have knowledge of, or easy access to, the full zonal information for stations within their own network? But I don't see that as equivalent to having the same level of knowledge to the National Rail network, if that's what you are suggesting?

I meant that you seemed to be saying that it may be difficult for inspectors to know whether both origin and destination stations are within GM.