A disabled man has slammed Metrolink after claiming he was humiliated by a ticket inspector who 'forced him off a tram' miles away from his destination. Tony Callaghan, 36, is registered blind and holds a disabled plus pass with Transport for Greater Manchester which he claims includes a 'plus one' for his carer, who is also his partner.
He said he's never had an issue whilst travelling on the tram network with his carer, and added nearly all of the ticket inspectors he has encountered have been sympathetic. But on Easter Monday, Mr Callaghan said he was met by an 'abrupt' and 'rude' ticket inspector as he and his partner Jess travelled from their home in Prestwich to the city centre to meet a friend.
He claims they were approached by an inspector who boarded the tram at Queens Road in Oldham, and allegedly 'forced' them off the tram - ordering Jess to pay for her ticket. Speaking to the M.E.N , he said: "I have never had to buy a ticket for my carer before.
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"I have a disabled pass with TfGM which has a plus one on it. I have found all the other checkers really nice and sympathetic. This time they got on at Queens Road and straight away they were very abrupt and rude."
Mr Callaghan claims he was told that his partner needed to buy a ticket, but that this could not be done on the tram and they would have to get off at the next stop. "They made us get off the tram and buy a ticket on the platform.
"They didn't get the tram to wait for us or anything like that. The fact they pulled a disabled person off a tram when they knew I was blind is very insulting and offensive.
"We are on disability benefits and it's not easy at the moment with the cost of living crisis. It seems to be getting harder and harder for people on benefits to live.
"We both felt so embarrassed and humiliated. It was the first time I have ever been asked to leave a tram - nobody has asked us to do that before. He definitely had a chip on his shoulder and came on thinking he could do what he likes. I want to make people aware that this has happened."
Damien Chabas, Service Delivery Director at tram operator KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM), said: "We are sorry to learn of the allegation made to the Manchester Evening News by Mr Callaghan about his recent journey experience.
"Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we expect only the highest standards of conduct from our employees. Any allegation of this nature is taken very seriously and based on the information we have we will investigate this matter."
