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Metrolink axes some in-app ticket purchases to crack down on fare dodgers

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 2nd June 2022

Metrolink has announced a big change to the way passengers buy tickets in a bid to crack down on fare dodgers.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s tram network has said that it wants to stamp out people riding the service without paying.

Metrolink updated people yesterday to say that they know ‘most of our customers are honest’ but that some are travelling without tickets.

Single day travelcards are being axed from the Get Me There app in an attempt to ‘protect Metrolink for the future’.

It means passengers will need to either use contactless, or buy tickets from the machines at stations before boarding.

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Metrolink trams at Manchester Victoria. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The changes will come into effect on Monday 13 June.

There are no barriers at Metrolink platforms, so at present, people can board a tram without buying a ticket – and get away with it until ticket inspections take place.

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If inspectors board and passengers are found to be travelling without a ticket, they face a fine of up to £100. But the current Get Me There app allows people to buy a one-day ticket on the spot.

Read more: Two million people estimated to be suffering from long COVID in the UK

Metrolink said: “We know that most of our customers are honest, but we also know that some passengers are travelling without a ticket and using the app to avoid a standard fare during a ticket inspection.

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“If you do need a single ticket or 1-day travelcard, the best option is to travel contactless. Just touch-in at a smart reader, with your contactless card or device before you board, and touch-out at your destination stop using the same card or device. We’ll work out the single fare, or 1-day travelcard fare, for the zones you’ve travelled through.

“If you travel on multiple days during the week (Monday to Sunday), we’ll charge for each day until the total reaches the weekly cap for the zones you’ve travelled through. The rest of your journeys in those zones will be free until the end of the week.”

Featured image: TfGM

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Police appeal for information regarding ‘serious assault’ around Old Trafford before United game in October

Danny Jones Danny Jones Serious assault Old Trafford October

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are appealing for fresh information on a “serious assault” committed around the Old Trafford area earlier this year.

GMP issued a press release on Friday, 9 December, asking for members of the public to come forward and share any details they might have on the attack carried along Seymour Grove in Trafford around 1:30pm on 16 October 2022.

They go on to explain that “a man in his 20s was assaulted by a group of unknown males” on the way to the game at Old Trafford, adding that “it is believed that the suspects were also attending the Manchester United vs Newcastle United match.”

It remains unclear whether or not the assailants were travelling fans in town to support the away side but GMP are looking to speak to the men pictured as they may be able to help with enquiries.

Credit: GMP

As detailed in the statement, “the victim suffered a severely broken jaw, a broken nose, numerous cuts to the face, and damage to the nerves of four teeth which he is likely to need further medical treatment for.” Terrible stuff.

The authorities are continuing to investigate the Seymour Grove assault after having followed up on a number of lines of enquiry since the incident took place and are now asking for the public’s help.

Read more:

Anyone with information, or anyone who may have footage/images, or can identify the men in the photos, can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, quoting log number 1589 on 16/10/22; or, alternatively use the Live Chat service HERE.

Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Greater Manchester Police/David Dixon (via Geograph)

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Football fans call out ‘tone-deaf’ FA TikTok for mocking ‘life-threatening’ head injury

Danny Jones Danny Jones Football fans call out FA TikTok head injury joke

Football fans are calling out the official FA Cup TikTok account for mocking a serious head injury suffered by a Stockport County player earlier this week.

The Hatters beat Charlton Athletic in fine fashion with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday, 7 December, with Will Collar’s hattrick (the club’s first since 2019) sending them through to the next round of the cup.

However, another notable moment from the night was right back Macauley Southam-Hales’ collision with advertising hoarders after a shove from Charlton captain George Dobson.

As the likes of County fan Joel Ward wrote on Twitter, many online were quick to slam the clip for joking about an injury that hospitalised the player, the consensus being that it isn’t a “great look” for the FA.

A repost of the controversial FA TikTok

While many reacting in the comments recognised that Dobson didn’t intend to hurt Southam-Hales by shepherding the ball out of play, the Stockport defender does hit the predominantly metal structure with some force and was left in clear discomfort following the smash.

The video itself has since been removed from the official account following the backlash but people are still reacting as the clip continues to be reshared on social media.

The clip was branded as everything from “disgusting” and “disgraceful” to “simply unbelievable”.

What’s most concerning is that despite the recent push to promote awareness surrounding concussions, brain trauma and even heading the ball – which, historically, haven’t been properly monitored in football – whoever posted the video on behalf of the FA didn’t consider the very serious nature of the incident.

As alluded to above, perhaps what makes the post even more shocking and tone-deaf is that it comes just weeks after Bath City player forward Alex Fletcher was placed in intensive care following an almost identical accident.

The 23-year-old underwent life-saving brain surgery and although he has since been discharged from the hospital, he is said to have a “long road to recovery ahead of him”.

Read more:

County confirmed that despite being the all-clear pitchside, Southam-Hales was taken to the hospital as a precaution after he suffered significant swelling around the neck area. Nevertheless, as we know all too well, it could have been much worse.

As for the FA, they have now apologised for the inappropriate attempt at humour, confirming that they have removed the video from all official accounts, admitting that “it should never have been published and assuring that they will “review [their] processes to ensure this never happens again.”

You can watch the full highlights from Stockport County vs Charlton Athletic HERE but we’d recommend you watch Alan Shearer reminding everyone who plays football to be more vigilant when it comes to head injuries.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Emirates FA Cup (via TikTok)/Joe Ward (via Twitter)

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