Our new Metro Ticket Machines are now live across the West Midlands (Credit: West Midlands Metro).
After months of careful planning, development and testing, Cammax are proud to announce that our newly designed Metro Smart ticket vending machines are now fully operational across the West Midlands Metro network. This marks an exciting step forward for tram travel in the region, offering passengers a more convenient way to purchase tickets.
Since Wednesday 26th February, regional tram users have been able to purchase tickets from our newly installed machines at every stop across the network. The advanced machines have been installed and thoroughly tested at 33 locations from Edgbaston Village to Wolverhampton Station, ensuring customers have easy access to ticketing facilities wherever they begin their journey.
The exciting roll out of the new ticket machines aligns perfectly with Metro’s vision to make tram travel as simple and accessible as possible. Featuring the latest Smart ticket vending technology and an intuitive design, the machines offer a quick and straightforward way for passengers to purchase tickets or top up a Swift card before they board.
A clear and easy-to-navigate interface ensures that ticket options and prices are displayed in a way that’s simple to understand, making it easier for both regular commuters and first-time travellers to find the right fare. A variety of ticket types are available, including single and day tickets for tram journeys, as well as options for combined bus and Metro travel. Weekly and monthly passes can also be purchased, with adult season tickets available for direct loading onto a Swift card.
Flexibility in payment has been a key consideration in the design of the new machines, ensuring they cater to a wide range of passenger preferences. Whether paying with cash, contactless debit or credit cards, or mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay, passengers can choose the option that suits them best.
By making ticket purchases quicker and more convenient, the new machines are expected to enhance the overall travel experience, helping to create a smoother and more efficient journey across the Metro network.
Following last week’s successful rollout, Michael Reading-Skilton, Head of Commercial at Metro, highlighted the significance of this launch for the network.
“After weeks of rigorous testing, we’re ready to activate the machines. This marks a significant step forward for the network, especially as we prepare for our future extensions to Dudley and Birmingham Eastside.” He commented.
Emphasising how the new ticketing system aligns Metro with other tram networks across the country, he added:
“The new system brings us in line with other tram networks across the country, where ‘Buy Before You Board’ has proven to be a more convenient, efficient, and fairer way to pay for tram travel.”
A step forward for the network (Credit: West Midlands Metro)
Metro understands that changes to ticketing processes can take time to get used to, so a range of support has been put in place to help passengers adjust. Over the coming days, Metro colleagues will be available at tram stops to assist customers, answer questions, and offer guidance on how to use the machines.
Metro’s well-known mascots, Wes and Mindy, will also be helping to spread the word. They have become familiar faces across the network and will be playing a key role in promoting the new ticketing system. Through engaging tutorials and demonstrations, they’ll be showing passengers how to use the machines, where to find them, and what payment options are available.
For those looking for additional guidance, Metro has set up a dedicated web page with step-by-step instructions and further details about the new system.
The rollout of these sophisticated Smart ticket vending machines builds on years of successful collaboration between Cammax and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), owners of the West Midlands Metro system. Our partnership has previously delivered the popular Swift Kiosk– a hybrid parking payment solution that handles traditional and digital transactions while seamlessly connecting with the Swift Card ecosystem.
Commuters quickly appreciated the Swift Kiosk’s convenience, particularly its ability to provide tickets and top-ups around the clock. The system’s pioneering Photo Smart Card vending capability, the first of its kind in the UK, highlighted our collaborative approach to solving real transport challenges and earned industry recognition with a National Transport Award nomination.
These new Metro machines represent a natural progression in our work with TfWM, as we continue developing practical technologies that make daily travel simpler across the West Midlands.
Although the Metro Smart Ticket Machines have only just been rolled out, initial feedback from passengers has been very positive. We are excited to see the impact of this new system and look forward to continuing our work with Midlands Metro and TfWM to drive further improvements in the region’s public transport network.
This latest project launch comes at an exciting time for Cammax as we prepare to showcase our newest Smart ticketing solutions at Transport Ticketing Global (TTG) 2025. Held at Olympia London between 4th-5th March, TTG is the premier event for the global ticketing community, bringing together leaders from public transport authorities, operators, industry bodies, and technology providers.
During the two-day event, we will be unveiling our latest ticketing innovations and demonstrating how Smart ticketing technology can enhance the passenger experience. As always, we are committed to developing solutions that make travel easier, more efficient, and more accessible for all.