Metrolink passengers will be offered face masks, hand sanitiser and flexible ‘clipper’ tickets in new measures to help stop the spread of the coronavirus and get Greater Manchester moving.
The service is also preparing to run as many double trams as possible.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham wants to establish a ‘safety first’ culture on public transport after the government made face masks and coverings compulsory for commuters.
From Monday (June 15), staff at busy Metrolink stations will hand out face masks while hand sanitiser will be provided at key bus stops - and eventually tram stops too.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on coronavirus, Mr Burnham said: “The government guidance has changed and we want that culture to be clearly established of safety first on Metrolink.
“It’s to get the travelling public in the habit of wearing a face mask or covering which is now required.
Also next Monday the Clipper ticket will be introduced, allowing customers to buy a book of tickets and use them when they need to.
The ticket carries the same name and purpose as the Clipper cards used on the Greater Manchester bus system between 1979 and 2004.
Mr Burnham said: “It is intended to help people manage a working week which might be mixing working from home with working in the city centre.”
Tram frequency will also increase to 10-minute intervals from June 22nd.
Double trams will run where possible to ensure there is enough space for passengers to observe social distancing.
Mr Burnham said it would have been difficult to bring more frequent trams sooner ‘because of the practicalities of bringing staff back to get the service back up to that level’.
The new measures mark the launch of the ‘Safely Reopening GM’ campaign, which focuses on providing safe public transport, workplaces and public spaces as lockdown eases.
