Greater Manchester Rail Ranger - Metrolink validity

[142094]

Bought one of these today, although couldn't find a leaflet for one so had to ask a Northern guard if it was valid on Metrolink between Victoria and Piccadilly. He said probably not, although advised me to check at Victoria. In the end I didn't want to take the chance so changed at Salford Crescent for a service to Piccadilly.

Now I know that it is valid, surely all Northern guards should know this who work in the Greater Manchester area? Northern travel through several PTE areas and I've had similar problems in Newcastle where Northern guards either did not know the validity of a PTE ticket or said it wasn't valid, when it was.

 

[radamfi]

Yes, you would have thought that was pretty basic knowledge.

The route through Salford Crescent may sound like the 'safe' option, and is of course fine with a Rail Ranger, but regular point to point tickets from say Rochdale to Stockport have route 'Metrolink (GM)' which some guards interpret to mean not valid via Salford Crescent.

 

[142094]

Luckily enough there was a train going to Manchester Airport just behind us, but if I had missed that, the next one direct from Salford Crescent to Piccadilly was around half an hour which would have meant me missing the train from Piccadilly.

 

[strange6]

Bought one of these today, although couldn't find a leaflet for one so had to ask a Northern guard if it was valid on Metrolink between Victoria and Piccadilly. He said probably not, although advised me to check at Victoria. In the end I didn't want to take the chance so changed at Salford Crescent for a service to Piccadilly.

Now I know that it is valid, surely all Northern guards should know this who work in the Greater Manchester area? Northern travel through several PTE areas and I've had similar problems in Newcastle where Northern guards either did not know the validity of a PTE ticket or said it wasn't valid, when it was.

Yes, the GMPTE ranger is valid for the tram within city limits. From Victoria up to Deansgate I believe but defo from Victoria to Picadilly

 

[island]

Yep, I used one a couple of weeks ago. It's valid between Deansgate, Victoria, and Piccadilly.

 

[142094]

The annoying thing was I bought the ticket at Piccadilly and had to rush to get a train - forgot to ask for a leaflet. When I was back at Piccadilly I looked for a leaflet and couldn't find any produced by GMPTE. Next time will download it from their website. However it is a bit crap for those who don't have the internet.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

GM Rail Ranger tickets are valid on Metrolink in the City Zone only, which is bounded by Piccadilly, Victoria and Deansgate-Castlefield.

Therefore also includes the following Metrolink stations: St. Peter's Square, Mosley Street, Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street and Shudehill.

 

[142094]

Found that out when I got home. Still I'd expect a Northern guard working out of any of the Manchester stations to know that it is valid.

 

[strange6]

Found that out when I got home. Still I'd expect a Northern guard working out of any of the Manchester stations to know that it is valid.

Next time you see him, recommend this fine forum so that he can brush-up on his knowledge

 

[WestCoast]

Still I'd expect a Northern guard working out of any of the Manchester stations to know that it is valid.

I'd certainly have thought so. On a side note, Metrolink ticketing is a bit of farce, the fact that a metromax day ticket varies in price depending on what stop you buy it from its quite frankly bizarre! I've never seen it anywhere else in the world...

Unfortunately we seem to be getting ever more reliant on the internet for info about ticketing, leaflets seem to be becoming less extensive.

 

[strange6]

I'd certainly have thought so. On a side note, Metrolink ticketing is a bit of farce, the fact that a metromax day ticket varies in price depending on what stop you buy it from its quite frankly bizarre! I've never seen it anywhere else in the world...

Unfortunately we seem to be getting ever more reliant on the internet for info about ticketing, leaflets seem to be becoming less extensive.

I have never used the metrolink - too much hastle in my view. I always like the walk between Picadilly and Victoria anyway - especially when the cooked food market is on

 

[Chapeltom]

I agree, I will only use the Metrolink if I'm headed to Bury. Its not that I don't like the trams but you can spend 10 minutes waiting for one and actually walk from Picc to Vic in about 12-15 minutes!

Plus the cost, I'd rather use plusbus on my Y-P Railcard..

 

[WestCoast]

I have never used the metrolink - too much hastle in my view. I always like the walk between Picadilly and Victoria anyway - especially when the cooked food market is on

Yes, I don't use it in the central zone but to get out to Salford Quays it is the best way for me. The ticketing is so expensive compared to other trams systems though - buying a metrolink day ticket is a bit like a game of "Deal or No Deal" in that if one ticket machine offers you one price, turn the offer down, and walk to another stop to get it cheaper!

 

[WatcherZero]

That shouldnt really be the case, the adult day ticket is £4.20 now, not available before 9:30, if you saw it for less you were looking at a single or return ticket though some long journeys the return costs the same as an off peak day ticket! And if you did the longest single journey Bury to Alrincham its £4, only 20p short of the return/all day, however before 9:30 the return is £6.

It can be confusing because its a zonal rather than distance based fare structure and they no longer display the zones.

 

[WestCoast]

That shouldnt really be the case, the adult day ticket is £4.20 now, not available before 9:30, if you saw it for less you were looking at a single or return ticket though some long journeys the return costs the same as an off peak day ticket!

No, the MetroMax day ticket certainly used to vary in price from £2.90 to £4.00 depending on the stop bought from. This information, which is outdated, is displayed on the GMPTE website.

Metrolink website says:

Question:

Why is the cost of MetroMax tickets not the same from all stops/stations?

Answer:

This was introduced to promote the ticket from selected stops.

 

[WatcherZero]

Under the last operator, that was two years ago.