End of the line for conductors on West Midlands Metro as new ticket machines arrive

The newly installed machines have been installed and tested at each of the 33 stops of the Midlands Metro network, which runs between Edgbaston Village and Wolverhampton Station and passes through Sandwell, and are set to be activated on Wednesday.

It means that anyone looking to ride on the Metro will be required to buy a ticket from the machine prior to boarding, which is a change from the current system.

Previously, people were able to get on board a tram and buy their tickets from a conductor, but the system was found to have flaws as some passengers were able to complete their journeys without paying a fare, especially at peak times when the Metro was full.

The new scheme, entitled "Buy Before You Board", was first approved in 2019 and had left questions being asked about the future of the ticket conductors, who have been a regular feature on the Metro since its launch in 1999.

However, it was confirmed by Transport for West Midlands that the conductors would remain in place for the foreseeable future, with the machines a new addition to the tram service.

It was also confirmed that they would be retrained as enforcement officers when the new ticketing policy came into effect, with no compulsory redundancies required.

Anne Shaw, Director of Transport for West Midlands, said: “When this board considered the ‘Buy Before You Board project, there was an absolute condition on us to make sure there were no redundancies.

“Conductors will be trained as enforcement staff or drivers because as we expand the Metro network, we’ve got a need for increased levels of staff for drivers, safety operatives and enforcement officers as well.

“The number of people who can’t pay on board because of the overcrowding at busy periods means we are losing out on revenue.

“Giving customers the opportunity to buy their tickets off-board is also going to help us manage and protect our revenues.”

In addition to the new ticket machines, Midlands Metro said that passengers can continue to use the My Metro App, which offers a variety of money-saving options for regular travellers, and Swift cards, which can now be topped up via the machines.

Michael Reading-Skilton, head of commercial at Midland Metro, said: “After weeks of rigorous testing, we’re ready to activate the machines. 

"This marks a significant step forward for the network, especially as we prepare for our future extensions to Dudley and Birmingham Eastside.

“The new system brings us in line with other tram networks across the country, where ‘Buy Before You Board’ has proven to be a more convenient, efficient, and fairer way to pay for tram travel.

“Although the introduction of ticket machines will mean a significant change for our customers, we'll help them get used to the new process every step of the way.”

The new machines come into place as the expansion of the Metro network continues through the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension, which branches off the current West Midlands Metro line just east of the Wednesbury Great Western Street Metro stop, before heading through Tipton and Dudley on its way to Brierley Hill.