‘Tap in, tap out’ train travel is set to be trialled at several stations in Greater Manchester next year as part of a new pilot scheme.
It means thousands more passengers will benefit from “simpler and more flexible” travel.
Under the new pilot schemes announced by Rail Minister Huw Merriman today (1 February), 90 railway stations across the West Midlands, and on selected routes in Greater Manchester, are set to be fitted with cutting-edge technology that allows passengers to simply ‘tap-in and tap-out’ of their local train network.
Essentially meaning there’ll be no need to plan ahead or search for the right train ticket, the Governmentclaims passengers can rest assured knowing they’ll pay “the best fare” for their journey.
The pilot schemes are said to be part of the Government’s plans to “reform the railways”, while also delivering on ‘Trailblazer’ devolution deals that are aimed at giving local leaders and authorities a “bigger say” in how their rail network is run.
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We’re making rail journeys in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester simpler and more flexible, with contactless train travel due to be launched at over 90 new stations next year.
Trials will also apparently “pave the way” for the future rollout of similar technology to more stations across the North and Midlands.
This is funded, in part, by £100 million that’s been reallocated from the now-defunct HS2.
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Greater Manchester’s pilot scheme is planned to include 17 stations on the Glossop to Manchester Piccadilly, and Stalybridge to Manchester Victoria lines, and will use contactless bank cards and devices to run.
The Department for Transport (DfT) say’s our region’s scheme will support the wider ambition to deliver full multi-modal fares and ticketing integration across bus, Metrolink, rail and cycle hire as part of the Bee Network by 2030.
‘Tap in, tap out’ train travel is to be trialled in Greater Manchester next year / Credit: gov.uk
“We want to encourage more people back onto our trains, with tap-in technology meaning using our stations couldn’t be easier,” Rail Minister Huw Merriman said as the pilot schemes were announced this morning.
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“Our railways have a long history, but projects like these, which are part of the Government’s wider plans for reform, will ensure they have a bright future too.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham added: “We are transforming how people travel in Greater Manchester, with the aim for people to pay for journeys easily and seamlessly across buses, trams, trains, and cycle hire.
“We look forward to progressing with these new contactless rail pilots and working together to develop a more meaningful and accountable partnership that allows us to integrate local rail services across the city-region into the Bee Network.”
With plans already underway expand pay-as-you-go train travel in the South East later this year too, the pilot stations confirmed today will see the total number of ‘tap in, tap out’ stations in England increase to around 500 in 2025.
Featured Image – Rail Delivery Group (via iStock)
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Plans to build ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly officially proposed
Emily Sergeant
Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly.
The Government has announced a ‘major growth plan’ for the north, and as part of that, has firmed up its commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
NPR is said to be ‘at the heart’ of plans to deliver faster commutes, better jobs, more homes, increased investment, and ultimately, stronger connections between Manchester and several other major northern cities, even as far as North Wales.
£1.1 billion has been committed over this Spending Review period to support delivery of NPR, the Treasury has confirmed.
One of the most crucial proposals from the commitment to the NPR is an entirely new line between Liverpool and Manchester – via Warrington and Manchester Airport – will be delivered as part of the second phase in the 2030s, and work is set to begin ‘immediately’ to develop the project plans and business case in more detail.
Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly / Credit: TfGM
As part of this, Greater Manchester and the Government will be working together to explore an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly.
It’s hoped that a new underground station at Manchester’s main train train travel hub would be a ‘catalyst’ and ‘enabler’ for major regeneration and economic growth in the region and across the North as a whole.
The underground option is said to be ‘preferred’ by local leaders.
This option would see trains run through the station, providing more reliable and quicker connections to and from West Yorkshire and beyond.
It’s also hoped that it would ‘future-proof’ the station to accommodate growing passenger numbers for decades to come, as well as ensure that the region remains the ‘growth capital’ of the UK.
Big news for the North.
Work is set to begin immediately on detailed plans for the new Liverpool–Manchester Northern Powerhouse Rail line.
A major catalyst for growth and jobs across the North. 🚆
“Finally, we have a Government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham as the proposals were announced this week.
“A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond.
“Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK’s fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth.
“Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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TGI Fridays to close even more UK locations as franchise falls further into administration
Danny Jones
Yes, American export and multinational TGI Fridays is closing even more locations across the UK following the previous batch of restaurant shutdowns.
This comes after Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the parent company which oversees the global TGI Fridays franchise, filed a third notice to appoint administrators this week.
Founded way back in 1965 and opening in the UK by the 80s – 1990 here in Manchester, to be specific – the New York-born diner brand continues to struggle all over Great Britain.
The only city centre TGIs was hit by the first raft of closures in October 2024, and now another Greater Manchester branch is on the chopping block.
TGIs Preswitch and Royal Exchange have both been shut for some time (Credit: David Dixon/The Manc)
Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, a further 16 TGI Fridays restaurants are shutting down imminently amid administration.
Totalling just 33 transatlantic venues left, this also means the loss of around 450 jobs, though the company insists they believe it to be the best decision to help “reinvigorate” the brand.
In a statement, Global President of TGI Fridays, Phil Broad, said: “We’ve been working closely to explore all available options for securing the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK, and believe that this is the best outcome for the business, preserves jobs, and offers a strong platform for success and growth.
As per an official press release shared on Monday, TGI bosses are hoping to reassert their presence in the American bar and grill scene as well as casual dining culture with a “bold new 1-2-3 strategic vision.”
Meanwhile, you can see the full list of TGI Fridays sites closing in Great Britain down below:
It seems that the entities within the hospitality sector, no matter how big or small, are still being struck by rising business rates, inflation and the general cost of living crisis.
I suggest you speak to your team @RachelReevesMP … an emergency cut in VAT is the ONLY lever you have to save thousands of Hospitality businesses folding. Much of Europe has VAT rates 10-13% to support their Hospitality industry.
For now, at least, the now only remaining regional TGI Fridays in the Trafford Centre (which has been there since 1998) is set to stay open.
In the case of the site in Tameside, the 36-year-old spot has unfortunately closed with immediate effect.
As for those sadly now without a job, it’s absolutely gutting – sending love and support from everyone here at The Manc Group, and we hope other parties at Ashton Leisure Park will step in to help when and where they can.
This is far from the only recognisable name closing down local venues, either…
Emily Sergeant -
1st February 2024 
