Get Me There

Get Me There
Name	Get Me There
Type	Smartcard and mobile ticketing
Owner	Transport for Greater Manchester
Area	Greater Manchester
Introduced	2014
Services	Rail and Metrolink

Get Me There is a smartcard and mobile ticketing system used for public transport in Greater Manchester. It provides contactless, account-based fare management for services such as rail and light rail, integrating with regional transport authorities, operators, and station infrastructure. The scheme aims to modernize fare collection across networks operated by multiple franchises and municipal bodies.

Overview

The system was developed to unify ticketing across networks managed by Transport for Greater Manchester, private train operators, and municipal authorities like Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. It serves passengers on services run by operators such as Northern and TransPennine Express and on the Manchester Metrolink network, interacting with infrastructure owned by entities like Network Rail. The initiative aligns with national efforts exemplified by projects like Oyster card in London and regional schemes such as Smartcard deployments in West Midlands and Scotland.

History

Plans for the system emerged amid UK transport modernization debates involving bodies such as the Department for Transport and private firms including Atos and Cubic Transportation Systems. Early pilots referenced smartcard work in cities like Bristol and Leeds and national programs such as ITSO interoperability standards. Procurement and rollout involved contracts, trials, and political oversight from local leaders comparable to figures in Greater Manchester Combined Authority and transport secretaries within the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The launch encountered delays tied to integration with existing ticketing machines at stations owned by Network Rail and operator back-office systems run by companies like Capita.

Technology and Operation

The platform uses account-based ticketing with contactless smartcards and near-field communication for mobile devices, leveraging standards promoted by EMVCo and UK schemes related to ITSO. Gateline hardware and validators installed at stations and stops are interoperable with equipment from vendors such as Cubic Transportation Systems and Thales Group. Back-office operations involve revenue settlement between operators including Northern, TransPennine Express, and concessionary authorities such as Transport for Greater Manchester. Integration required coordination with signalling and passenger information systems tied to Network Rail infrastructure and metropolitan tram control centers similar to those used by Transport for London.

Ticketing and Pricing

Fare structures reflect negotiated agreements among transport authorities and operators, with season tickets, pay-as-you-go products, and day returns aligned to tariffs set by bodies like Transport for Greater Manchester and national regulation via the Department for Transport. Revenue allocation uses zonal approaches analogous to systems in London and distance-based fares used by franchises such as Avanti West Coast. Discounting schemes mirror concessions administered by councils like Manchester City Council and statutory entitlements arising from legislation debated in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Accessibility and Integration

Design considerations sought compliance with accessibility legislation enforced by entities like the Equality and Human Rights Commission and standards from bodies such as RNIB for visually impaired passengers. Physical infrastructure interfaces with station accessibility improvements overseen by Network Rail and municipal transport teams. Integration efforts involved third-party travel planning services and open data initiatives similar to those promoted by TfL and the Department for Transport to enable journey planning with providers like Google and regional apps.

Criticisms and Controversies

The rollout attracted scrutiny from local politicians and commuters represented by groups like Transport Salaried Staffs' Association and consumer advocates mirroring the work of Which?. Criticisms included delays, interoperability failures with national ticketing systems, and data privacy concerns raised in contexts involving regulators such as the Information Commissioner's Office. Debates echoed broader controversies around privatized rail franchises exemplified by disputes involving operators like Arriva and Serco and franchise oversight by the Office of Rail and Road.

Future Developments

Planned enhancements follow trends in contactless ticketing driven by organizations like EMVCo and policy direction from the Department for Transport, with potential wider interoperability with national schemes and multimodal integration across rail, tram, bus, and active travel initiatives championed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Prospective technical upgrades may be influenced by suppliers such as Cubic Transportation Systems and software platforms used by other cities including Edinburgh and Bristol, while regulatory frameworks set by the Parliament of the United Kingdom and oversight from bodies like the Office of Rail and Road will shape deployment.

Category:Public transport in Greater Manchester Category:Ticketing systems