Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has issued nearly 70,000 Metrolink fines worth more than £8m so far this year, as it warns fare-dodgers the risk is not worth it.
New figures shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service reveal 69,743 fines were issued between January and September this year, down from 75,368 for the same period last year.
A penalty fare is £120, reduced to £60 if paid early, with money from fines reinvested back into the network. The total value of fines issued this year is £8,369,160, though the actual amount collected is likely to be lower due to early payments and non-payment.
Warning to fare-dodgers
Ian Davies, TfGM's Metrolink network director, said: "We need the money we get from fares to run the network, and it's not fair on the majority who buy a ticket that some people think the rules do not apply to them.
"We have been working hard with the operator and other partners to tackle fare evasion over recent years and as a result the number of people not paying has come down, and that's because you are much more likely to get caught.
"The message is quite simple: it isn't worth the risk. If you have not paid to use the tram you can expect to receive a £120 fine."
Network expansion plans
According to TfGM's website, around 7.2 million miles are clocked up across the tram network each year by its fleet, with more than 41m journeys.
There are plans for major Metrolink expansions in future, including a line to Stockport town centre, as well as extensions across Salford, Wigan and Bolton.
