It has been reported that Transport for Greater Manchester are considering introducing a zonal fare system for Manchester Metrolink as they believe this would be a more transparent scheme than that used at present. The idea was due to be discussed at a recent TfGM Committee meeting which would also set the fare rise due to be introduced in January 2013.
The plan would be introduced from 2014 – at the same time as Manchester’s answer to the popular Oyster Card is due to be introduced. Similar to the London zonal system, tram stops would be assigned a zone in relation to how far they are from the centre of Manchester. It is hoped that this fare scheme would makes prices “simpler, fairer, affordable and more transparent”.