West Midlands Metro scraps onboard ticket sales - What do passengers think of the major change?
Midlands Metro passengers now need to buy tickets before boarding as conductors shift to enforcement roles, aiming to reduce fare dodging and speed up journeys.
Midlands Metro conductors shift to ticket enforcement roles in major system change
Midlands Metro passengers now need to buy their tickets before boarding, as conductors shift from selling tickets to enforcing fare payments.
Watch the video as we speak to passengers.
The change, aimed at speeding up journeys and reducing fare dodging, brings the Metro in line with other tram networks across the UK.
Ticket machines are now installed at every stop, and passengers can also use the My Metro App or Swift cards for digital payments.
While some commuters welcome the move as a step toward a more efficient system, others worry about the inconvenience—particularly those unfamiliar with ticket machines or who prefer paying onboard.
As the Metro expands, with new routes planned to Dudley and Birmingham Eastside, TfWM hopes this shift will encourage passengers to adopt the habit of paying before boarding.
However, with conductors now focused on enforcement rather than customer assistance, the real test will be whether this move effectively reduces fare evasion while keeping the service accessible for all.
The move, aimed at speeding up journeys and tackling fare dodging, brings the Metro in line with other tram networks across the UK.
But how do passengers feel about the change?
For some, the transition to pre-paid tickets isn’t a big deal. “No problem. It’s been used for lots of years. I don’t see what the difference is,” said one commuter. However, others worry about the practicalities, especially when rushing to catch a tram. “If a tram’s coming now and I’m here, I have to rush to a ticket machine—I’ll probably miss a few trams,” another passenger pointed out.
Pensioners who use free travel passes aren’t directly affected but remember when ticket machines weren’t reliable. “Most of the time, either the machines were broken, or people just didn’t bother paying. They lost a lot of money that way.”
For others, the switch is simply inconvenient. “If I’m already running late and now I have to buy a ticket first, I’ll be even later,” said one frustrated passenger. Another added, “Most of these machines don’t work—that’s why I wait to buy from the conductor.”
Despite concerns, some commuters welcome the change, seeing it as a step towards a smoother service. “It’s easier if you just buy your ticket online before getting the tram. You can choose whatever you need—a single or a day ticket—without any hassle.”
As the Metro expands with new routes to Dudley and Birmingham Eastside, TfWM hopes this move will encourage passengers to pay before boarding, reducing delays and fare evasion.
But with conductors now focused on enforcement rather than customer assistance, the real question is—will this improve the service or create more confusion?