Using Metrolink on tickets routed via Manchester

According to the TfGM website at https://tfgm.com/tickets-and-passes/combination-train-and-tram-day-return-adult a ticket issued for a rail journey to or from any station in Greater Manchester that involves a transfer between Piccadilly and Victoria stations is valid on Metrolink within Zone 1.

However, the TfGM site is somewhat ambiguously worded. It doesn't make it clear whether the journey has to both start and finish within Greater Manchester or only one or other of the station of origin or the destination has to be within GM. Can anyone clarify this for me, please?

Also, if you enter such a journey into the journey planner on the National Rail site (e.g. Ryder Brow to Castleton, Stockport to Todmorden) it doesn't send you via Metrolink. Instead it sends you via Salford Crescent or via the Ordsall Chord. I would guess that some passengers, particularly elderly or disabled people, might prefer to go that way rather than take the tram to avoid having to transfer between the main station and the tram stop at Piccadilly, but on the other hand if going via Salford Crescent or the Ordsall Chord involves a long wait, some people may still prefer to use Metrolink if their ticket is valid that way.

It states "from and to any Greater Manchester train station", not "from or to any Greater Manchester train station" (my bold).

My understanding is that both stations must be in Greater Manchester to qualify. I regularly split my tickets at Stockport and Rochdale to take advantage of this.

hawk1911 said:

It states "from and to any Greater Manchester train station", not "from or to any Greater Manchester train station" (my bold).

My understanding is that both stations must be in Greater Manchester to qualify. I regularly split my tickets at Stockport and Rochdale to take advantage of this.

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That's absolutely correct, yes

AY1975 said:

some people may still prefer to use Metrolink

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They should split their tickets such that their cross-Manchester journey is on a ticket that begins and ends in Greater Manchester, as hawk1911 mentioned.

My question would be whether one could claim Delay Repay if one was using the service in this way and disruption on Metrolink led to a missed connection. Would the fact that use of the trams on a N.R. ticket is limited to cross-Manchester journeys prevent a claim being made on the basis of the whole journey, which would of course have not been "from and to any Greater Manchester train station"?

Something that has just come into my mind regarding journeys starting and ending within Greater Manchester.

Would a Staybridge - Heald Green single or return be accepted on Metrolink if changing at Ashton under Lyne and East Didsbury, or has it got to be between Victoria and Piccadilly?

adrock1976 said:

Would a Staybridge - Heald Green single or return be accepted on Metrolink if changing at Ashton under Lyne and East Didsbury,

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No.

adrock1976 said:

or has it got to be between Victoria and Piccadilly?

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The TfGM webpage linked to above specifically states:

where you need to change between city centre stations within Metrolink Zone 1. You can use the tram to change between the two city centre train stations for no extra cost.

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Kilopylae said:

...My question would be whether one could claim Delay Repay if one was using the service in this way and disruption on Metrolink led to a missed connection. ...

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Metrolink don't operate a Delay Repay scheme. (See https://tfgm.com/public-transport/delays-and-refunds)