Greater Manchester’s Bee Network has recorded its 50 millionth contactless ‘tap and go’ tram journey just days before the payment system launches on buses.
The journey took place at 7.07am on 19 March, with a passenger travelling from Navigation Road to Cornbrook.
Contactless tap and go was introduced on the Metrolink network in 2019 and has since become the most popular payment method, with 16.5 million journeys made last year – an increase of 20% compared to the previous year.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of tap and go journeys are now made using contactless devices such as smartphones and smartwatches rather than bank cards.
The most contactless journeys in a single day were recorded on 14 April 2024, coinciding with the Manchester Marathon, while November 2024 saw the highest number of journeys in a single month at 1.64 million.
From 23 March, contactless payment will be extended to Bee Network buses, allowing seamless travel between bus and tram under a single fare structure.
The move is seen as a key step toward creating an integrated, London-style transport system for Greater Manchester.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This milestone couldn’t be timelier. In just a few days, we will realise our ambition of a truly integrated transport network that puts us on an equal footing with global cities like London, New York and Madrid.”
Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, added: “When we integrate buses into the system, we will have a modern payment system that automatically calculates the best value fare, ensuring simple and affordable travel.”
Achievements and innovations in public transport will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
