How new buy-before-you-board rule will impact you
BBCA new system is set to be introduced to change the way passengers pay to use the Midlands Metro.
From September, a Buy Before You Board scheme will be in place, meaning you can no longer purchase a ticket while on board the service.
Instead, conductors will no longer be on board and a valid ticket or pass must be bought before customers set foot on the tram.
Customers can either use a ticket machine, the MyMetro app or Swift card.
When will it come into effect?
Passengers will begin to see changes from August as West Midlands Metro teams begin the transition and encourage users to pre-purchase tickets ready for the system to be up and running by mid-September.
Until the system is in place, tickets will still be available from the conductor on board.
The changes will be fully in place by the end of September.
The transport provider said it forms part of a wider programme to modernise ticketing across the network, and supports the new £100 Penalty Fare.
Where can you buy a ticket?
The number of ticket machines that accept card and cash at tram stops has increased, the provider told passengers on X, and there will be staff at stations to offer guidance on how to use a ticket machine.
Tickets or passes can also be purchased using the MyMetro app. Valid passes purchased as part of a season ticket or on the Swift card are also accepted.
If a ticket machine is unavailable, passengers have been advised to use another available option, such as the MyMetro app or another machine at the stop.
If a genuine issue prevented customers from purchasing a valid ticket, the circumstances will be taken into account, the provider has said.
Concession passes issued by the West Midlands Combined Authority will still be accepted.
What will happen to the conductors?
Conductors will no longer be on board the trams but instead will become revenue protection officers, West Midlands Metro has said.
Using handheld technology, their role includes ensuring ticket checks take place throughout the day to help prevent fare evasion.
They will also be supported by British Transport Police, the Safer Travel Partnership, West Midlands Police and an independent security provider.
Will there be a contactless tap-in service?
For those in favour of using a contactless tap-in system, there currently are none available across the network, which runs from Wolverhampton to Birmingham.
However, the transport provider has said the team has been working towards having validators installed at tram stops.
Midlands Metro AllianceWhat if you forget to buy a ticket?
Anyone who is caught travelling on a tram, or on the platform having just got off one, without a valid ticket or pass, and who had the chance to buy one, may be liable to pay a £100 penalty fare.
Why is this being implemented?
As the provider works to crack down on fare evasion, it has brought in the Buy Before You Board system.
It said: "Travelling without a valid ticket is unfair to those who do pay and reduces the income available to operate and improve the network."
Posting on its website, West Midlands Metro warned customers that funds from ticket sales contributed to network maintenance, service improvements and future expansion plans.
The provider added that it "brings us in line with other transport operators, gives you more ways to pay, and keeps things fair for everyone travelling with us."
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