A SMARTCARD that passengers can use to travel on both buses and trams has been launched.
The introduction of the ‘get me there’ card is the first step towards an integrated smart travel system for all public transport across Greater Manchester — like London’s Oyster card.
Almost 100,000 16 to 18-year-olds are also eligible for a smart card that will half the price of a day ticket, which will launch in September.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The expansion of get me there will certainly help make travel easier and, for the first time, enable people across Greater Manchester to hop on and off trams and buses with their smartcard.
“Significantly, the 16 – 18 card will see the cost of a bus day ticket cut in half – reducing the cost of journeys and enabling our young people to more easily access work and leisure opportunities, training, education and skills.
“All this can only be good news and will, I hope, encourage more people than ever before to get on board with public transport, which will help to tackle congestion and air quality issues.”
Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, Cllr Andrew Fender, said: “We are on a journey with get me there and smart ticketing. We know the travelling public wants a world-class, integrated, pan-Northern smart ticketing system, and this latest development brings us a step closer towards realising this ambition.”
To apply for a ‘get me there’ card visit getmethere.com or call 0161 244 1000.
