Issue - meetings

(1)       The contents of this report, which reviewed the current ticketing approach on the West Midlands Metro as well as assessing the viability of alternative options in order to ensure a robust ticketing solution was in place to optimise revenue generation from Metro services, was noted.

(2)       The policy of moving to an off-tram ‘Buy Before Boarding’ ticketing system incorporating the features set out in the report was approved.

(3)       Interim cashflow funding of £1.7m to cover the capital costs of the preferred option was approved, noting that the scheme was self-funding over a short timescale thereafter.

(4)       It was noted that Transport for West Midlands would explore further security measures on the tram network and, following consultations on these proposals with staff, no current customer representatives would be subject to compulsory redundancy.

The board considered a report from Phil Hewitt, Director of West Midlands Metro, reviewing the current ticketing approach on the Metro network and assessing the suitability of alternative options. The report also sought the approval of a new ‘buy before boarding’ off-tram ticketing policy to be adopted on the Metro network.

The current ticketing arrangements on West Midland Metro allowed passengers to purchase tickets on the tram from a member of staff, with no requirement to have purchased a ticket before boarding. As trams got busier, the ability of Customer Service Representatives to identify and interact with passengers reduced significantly, resulting in an increase in unticketed travel. Therefore, it was proposed to introduce an off-tram ticketing solution, shifting away from cash transactions and to a greater proportion of passengers transfering to Swift products.

Councillor Ian Ward welcomed these proposals, stressing the benefit of removing cash handling from the payments system and enabling contactless payments through the metro network. Councillor Ian Brookfield requested that Metro staff showed a pragmatic approach with young or vulnerable passengers during the implementation of the project.

Resolved:

(1)       The report, which reviewed the current ticketing approach on the West Midlands Metro as well as assessing the viability of alternative options in order to ensure a robust ticketing solution was in place to optimise revenue generation from Metro services, be noted.

(2)       The policy of moving to an off-tram ‘buy before boarding’ ticketing system incorporating the features set out in the report be approved.

(3)       Interim cashflow funding of £1.7m to cover the capital costs of the preferred option be approved, noting that the scheme was self-funding over a short timescale thereafter.

(4)       It be noted that Transport for West Midlands would explore further security measures on the tram network and, following consultations on these proposals with staff, no current customer representatives would be subject to compulsory redundancy.