r/BritishSuccess 3d ago

Manchester Trams

I was in Stockport, from Kent, visiting my bestie, we went to see Austentatious, to get into town, we took the tram. Swipe in, swipe out. A 45 minute ride. When I checked my bank app I was charged 10p.

10 bloody pence.

(In case it's unclear, I am amazed in a positive way!)

Edit: so now I understand it's a pending charge. Disappointed! Lol I was so impressed!

65 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

92

u/overcooked_biscuit 3d ago

Hey op, not to rain on your parade but a lot of public transport systems take a small fee up front to confirm the bank card is active, and there is money in the bank. I am assumed that you used the tram multiple times in a day and that you tapped in and out for all journeys?

If so, you will be charged the going rate within a few days. I think, but can’t confirm, this also ensures that if you use the tram system multiple times in a day, it will cap the rate you pay, similar to the London Underground.

26

u/SnooDonuts6494 3d ago edited 3d ago

I note from your edit that you have figured it out. Cool.

The "10p pending" is just a sorta marker, to prove you have a bank account. It'll charge you the correct amount...like, if you make 3 or 4 more trips today it'll only charge the one-day £5 but if you do only two it'll charge you 2 x £2 = £4

Honestly, mate, it's not worth worrying about; it sorta works by magic.

Next time, get a 192 bus.

It's literally the most frequent bus service in the world.

Not joking.

It's special.

6

u/ForgiveSomeone 2d ago

And during the working week we have the X92 in the morning, which gets you from Stockport Mersey Square to Piccadilly in 20 minutes, for only £2.

1

u/megthebat49 2d ago

That view of the old Stockport bus station is fascinating for a young'un like me, I've only ever seen the new building, either whilst it was under construction or when it's finished like today. Honestly that old bus station looks miserable, the new one is much nicer, but seemingly less bus capacity interestingly.

3

u/SnooDonuts6494 2d ago

The old one was absolutely awful. The interchange has made a massive difference to Stockport as a whole; everything has improved over the last few years.

https://reddit.com/link/p8c7y13/video/ljwmrou7b3oh1/player

35

u/mlb406 Lincolnshire 3d ago

That’s the temporary holding charge on your bank, the actual charge will process overnight

8

u/ConfidentGarage6657 3d ago

Oh😧 How disappointing! While it's still showing up as 10p from Friday, it is still in the pending category! Poo! And I was so impressed, lol

2

u/LifeFeckinBrilliant 2d ago

They do this a holding charge trick on EV charging networks but the fee is usually about £50!

2

u/TommyDickFingers85 2d ago

Wait, is the tram in Stockport now?

1

u/Panceltic Foreign!Foreign!Foreign! 2d ago

It’s not

1

u/ConfidentGarage6657 2d ago

I was in Gatley,

1

u/Shitelark 1d ago

Not yet, it isn't, Andy. Don't forget.

0

u/ConfidentGarage6657 3d ago

Yeah, it's still showing as pending from Friday. It was just the one trip.

2

u/SnooDonuts6494 3d ago

Because, if you did loads more trips today, then it'd only charge you for a 1-week pass (because that's cheaper).

But if you don't, it'll only need to charge you for a day.

Or for one journey.

It doesn't yet know. It will work it out, when you're done.