TRAVELLERS heading through Bury Interchange have been getting their first sight of the new Get Me There smartcard.

The system allows passengers to travel on buses and trams across Greater Manchester with a single card and is Manchester’s answer to the Oyster card used in London.

Passengers can get the new smart card in travel shops across Greater Manchester or by signing up at www.getmethere.com.

Although it can can not be loaded with cash, like London’s Oyster Card, Get Me There card users can buy a range of Metrolink and bus passes using the card.

The card was introduced to people travelling through Bury Interchange on Monday, with a team explaining how people can get 
involved.

Introducing the smart card to people in Bury, Elle Kersh said: “We’ve been speaking to people about the new Get Me There card all day and so far we’ve had a great response.

“What is great about this card is if you lose your annual paper tickets, you won’t get anything back. 

“But if you lose your smart card, all your journeys are backed up and you’ll get a replacement card.

“A lot of people already enjoy using the app but for most people it is revolutionary. 

“It’s what the people of Manchester are waiting for because having loads of pieces of paper in your purse is in the past.”

Paul Moran, who travels from Stockport to Bury for work, was one passenger who welcomed the new card, but believes he will keep buying tickets as normal.

He said: “It seems like a good idea. But I only get one ticket anyway so I don’t think it’s going to change anything for me. 

“I don’t think it’s going to have much of an impact on my travel. Maybe it will for other people. 

“I just buy a ticket from the train station and that does me for the month.”

But Kara Charlton, a student from Prestwich, said: “I already use the app and I think it’s a great idea. I’ve signed up today to get myself a card.

“It saves time rather than buying individual tickets as well.”