More Manchester Metrolink ticketing questions

[Green Lane]

Hello again all,

Despite travelling to Manchester quite a bit, I've never actually travelled on the tram before. In a couple of weeks time though, I have a daytrip planned involving multiple tram journeys on the same day.

Firstly, are "day tickets" (I think they are called "Saver" tickets) currently available for the Manchester Metrolink?

I was looking here on the official ticket selector http://www.metrolink.co.uk/tickets/ticketselector/

and that system only mentions Single, Returns or Season tickets. Is there any reason why day saver tickets would not appear on that system?

Also how much does an off-peak day saver ticket cost?

Secondly, is it true that the price of the day saver ticket depends on where you board the tram? I heard that day saver tickets were about a pound cheaper on the Eccles line than elsewhere on the system, even though the validity of the different priced tickets is the same? (i.e. the entire Metrolink network).

That being the case, would it be cheaper if I just bought a return train ticket from Liverpool Lime Street to Eccles and then start/end my tram journeys at Eccles buying the day saver ticket from there, rather than going to Manchester Victoria or Piccadilly say?

Thanks very much for any possible answers.

 

[radamfi]

See this recent thread answering most of the questions:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=45729

Yes, getting a Saver (formerly known as Metromax) is cheaper at Eccles than at Victoria even though the validity is the same.

Maybe one of the Daysaver range of tickets may be of use if you are using buses and/or trains as well:

http://www.systemonetravelcards.co.uk/travelcards/view-the-range.php

 

[Green Lane]

See this recent thread answering most of the questions:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=45729

Yes, getting a Saver (formerly known as Metromax) is cheaper at Eccles than at Victoria even though the validity is the same.

Maybe one of the Daysaver range of tickets may be of use if you are using buses and/or trains as well:

http://www.systemonetravelcards.co.uk/travelcards/view-the-range.php

Thanks very much radamfi for the very quick reply. Yes, that thread certainly answers all of my questions. I'm sorry it slipped my mind to search the forum this time. oops.

I was going to ask why the ticket is apparently cheaper at Eccles, but I see this is also discussed at great length in the thread you mention. Seems a peculiar system to me, but I guess it must make good business sense. Does seem though like something that's not mentioned too clearly on the official Metrolink site... Cheers.

 

[WestCoast]

The last thread about this was exhausting.

Yes, the day saver is cheaper at Eccles - £3.50 springs to mind although I am not sure.

 

[Green Lane]

The last thread about this was exhausting.

Yes, the day saver is cheaper at Eccles - £3.50 springs to mind although I am not sure.

Yes, thanks for that. I'll get the train to/from Eccles and then board the tram at Eccles. Fortunately coming from Liverpool, Eccles is a bit nearer anyway, so seems like the way to go. (And not that it matters, but on the train, Huyton-Eccles return is also 20p Cheaper than Huyton-Manchester stations - I have a season ticket covering me to Huyton).

 

[radamfi]

The Chorlton line is supposed to open soon, possibly this week. It might be worth delaying the trip until it is open, if possible, if you are interested in doing the new line.

 

[snail]

Yes, thanks for that. I'll get the train to/from Eccles and then board the tram at Eccles. Fortunately coming from Liverpool, Eccles is a bit nearer anyway, so seems like the way to go. (And not that it matters, but on the train, Huyton-Eccles return is also 20p Cheaper than Huyton-Manchester stations - I have a season ticket covering me to Huyton).

It may be nearer but don't forget to factor in 30 minutes by tram against 9 by train! There is also the walk from Eccles station to the tram stop and a smaller choice of services from Eccles to Liverpool.

 

[Green Lane]

The Chorlton line is supposed to open soon, possibly this week. It might be worth delaying the trip until it is open, if possible, if you are interested in doing the new line.

Yes, that would be good. I've got a week off in July and another week again in August. During both weeks, I've got a number of daytrips tentatively planned. I can certainly swap this Manchester daytrip with an August one and go a bit later if that new line isn't ready by then.

It may be nearer but don't forget to factor in 30 minutes by tram against 9 by train! There is also the walk from Eccles station to the tram stop and a smaller choice of services from Eccles to Liverpool.

Very true, you are absolutely correct and generally this would not be a convenient way to travel (let's say for commuting to work or something - I would not do it).

I want to travel the tram line, just for the fun of it as this is mainly a leisure journey, also to get some photos of Eccles train station and tram stop.

I have some things I want to achieve on the day namely, grabbing a selection of photographs from various different towns for various projects and also try and fit in a bit of a hike somewhere. So far the plan seems good - good thing I have all day to do it.

The main disadvantage as you mention is that by getting a train ticket to Eccles, I've effectively excluded the possibility of coming back via Warrington but I travel that way so much anyway, it'll be nice to travel via the Newton-le-willows route instead for a change.