It's ‘Mad Friday’ at Manchester Victoria - and it's a rude surprise for some people who step off the tram.
For in their faces are dozens of police officers - and Mayor Andy Burnham - who make sure to stop everybody who gets off to check they have paid.
Some try and run for it - but don't make it very far.
The fare-dodgers are unfortunate, as tonight saw the Mayor join the police officers and Metrolink stewards to see how they tackle anti-social behaviour on Greater Manchester's transport network, as part of the Travel Safe Partnership.
READ MORE: Greater Manchester's latest coronavirus infection rates as UK cases soar
In the hour or so the Manchester Evening News were there, dozens of people were spoken to and fined for ticket dodging, with many face masks also being handed out.
More concerning is the handful of children and young teenagers who were led away in handcuffs by police officers for possession of drugs.
From October, there have been 20 of these operations targeting anti-social behaviour hotspots.
These operations have so far seen around 17,000 people spoken to, with 893 fines for fare evasion issued and 15 people arrested, with more people added to these statistics today.
Mr Burnham told the MEN that they have been listening to the public’s concerns and hope these operations will reassure people about taking public transport.
It was reported there was a 23 per cent increase in anti-social behaviour and crime reported in September compared to same month in 2019, with 233 incidents in total.
This included a ‘significant increase’ in reported assaults, with 28 in September - of which seven were directed at staff.
Mr Burnham said: “We have heard very much from the public that a higher police profile is wanted on our public transport.
“It’s about giving people the confidence to use the system. People want to see that there is some order on it and if there is wrong doing that it is dealt with.
“This is really important.”
He said that the amount of younger people being stopped and engaging in anti-social behaviour was a concern.
This also highlighted a wider concern of issues such as county lines drug dealing and the ‘people behind the kids’.
“It’s about sending a message that this is being addressed,” he added.
“We want people to see public transport, whether that be a tram or a bus, as a place of safety and that we are working hard to ensure this.”
These operations formed a wider part of the mayor’s transport plans for an integrated system, so that public transport is a “natural choice”, he said.
“We don’t want people to be deterred from using it.
“Only a few weeks ago a woman was attacked here. This is all about keeping people safe. People should be able to come into work or anything on public transport safely in the city.
“Trams should not be a magnet for anti-social behaviour.”
Police and Metrolink staff on the operation raised masks as an issue that could cause some tension between them and the public and an alarming increase in people carrying knives and other weapons.
Mr Burnham praised the work police and staff have been doing to combat this during the pandemic.
“The staff working on the front line, from train drivers to ticket officers, are doing a great job.
“It’s a hard job anyway but it’s even harder during these times.
“I wanted to show my support tonight for what they’re doing in keeping the system safe. And to show the public that we are listening to them and addressing these issues.”
