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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sophie Halle-Richards & Graeme Murray

Blind passenger, 36, left 'humiliated' after being forced off tram by ticket inspector

A blind passenger faced being humilated after he was forced off a tram by a ticket inspector.

Tony Callaghan is registered blind and has a disabled pass with Transport for Greater Manchester which he insists also applies a 'plus one' for his carer.

The 36-year-old, whose partner is his carer, says most inspectors have been sympathetic.

But he faced an 'abrupt' and 'rude' ticket inspector as he and his partner Jess travelled on the Metrolink from their home in Bury to Manchester to meet a friend.

He claims they were 'forced' off the tram and his partner Jess Carter, made to pay for a ticket.

Tony Callaghan (left) and partner Jess Carter (Manchester Evening News)

Mr Callaghan told Manchester Evening News : "I have never had to buy a ticket for my carer before.

"I have a disabled pass with TfGM which has a plus one on it. I have found all the other checkers really nice and sympathetic.

"This time they got on at Queens Road and straight away they were very abrupt and rude."

Mr Callaghan claims he was told Jess needed to buy a ticket, but that this could not be done on the tram and they would have to get off at the next stop.

Tony Callaghan's disabled pass which allows him a 'plus one' from his carer (Manchester Evening News)

He said: "They made us get off the tram and buy a ticket on the platform.

"They didn't get the tram to wait for us or anything like that. The fact they pulled a disabled person off a tram when they knew I was blind is very insulting and offensive.

"We are on disability benefits and it's not easy at the moment with the cost of living crisis. It seems to be getting harder and harder for people on benefits to live.

"We both felt so embarrassed and humiliated. It was the first time I have ever been asked to leave a tram - nobody has asked us to do that before.

Tony Callaghan is registered blind and claims he and his carer Jess Carter (L) were ordered off a tram by inspectors (Manchester Evening News)

"He definitely had a chip on his shoulder and came on thinking he could do what he likes. I want to make people aware that this has happened."

Damien Chabas, service delivery director at tram operator KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM), said: "We are sorry to learn of the allegation made by Mr Callaghan about his recent journey experience.

"Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we expect only the highest standards of conduct from our employees.

"Any allegation of this nature is taken very seriously and based on the information we have we will investigate this matter."

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