“It’s all got ridiculously frustrating”(Image: Anthony Robson)

A disabled Metrolink passenger says they have been accused of fare dodging for the last 10 YEARS due to an ‘archaic’ ticket system.

Anthony Robson has a disabled person’s smart card for the Bee Network because his epilepsy means he ‘cannot drive’. The 43-year-old should be able to buy concessionary tickets for the tram, and load them onto his smart card.

The idea is disabled people can then tap their smart card on a Metrolink platform reader like a normal bank card. But the scientific researcher says ‘archaic’ technology means he often cannot log in to his account online to buy tickets — and when he does get in, it sometimes only shows him his old smart card that expired in 2019.

“It’s very frustrating. It’s been going on for years, I complained numerous times and it’s all got ridiculously frustrating. They are not responding to my complaints,” Anthony said.

Anthony works near Manchester Royal Infirmary on Oxford Road, and commutes in from Navigation Road near Altrincham four-days-a-week. His job often means he needs to be in by 7am, so he has to purchase a concessionary ticket as disabled people are only eligible for free travel after 9:30am.

(Image: Anthony Robson)

The Bee Network app does not offer concessionary tickets so disabled people need to buy them the night before travel, because it can take hours to load onto smart cards. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it is working to improve the situation by autumn 2026.

Recently, Anthony was told by the computer system his card ‘does not have any space for more tickets’. He added: “It said ‘please contact us for more details’. I would hope they would contact me about that.”

TfGM launched a fare-dodging crackdown in the last two years, putting hundreds more inspectors on trams and platforms. But Anthony’s IT issues means he often has to ‘get my email’ receipt to prove he has paid his way.

It’s led him to call on bosses to waive fares for people in his position: “If TfGM can fix this in the long-term, then I am happy to pay a concession fare, but while the problem is ongoing and I am being accused of fare-dodging it should be free.”

TfGM has apologised to Anthony. A spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear about the problems this customer has been experiencing when buying a concessionary Metrolink ticket before 9.30am.

“A technical issue has been identified with the smartcard system that can occur during the process of purchasing and storing of tickets. We are working urgently to resolve this customer’s issue by the end of this week at the latest.

“Our Customer Service team will be contacting Mr Robson to provide further information and advice regarding his case.”