Sheffield’s Supertram service has been slammed after saying they will no longer accept card payments for certain tickets in what one passenger has described as an ‘inconvenient’ attempt to crack down on fraud.

From this Sunday (23 March), SYconnect 7-Day tickets and CityWide 7-day tickets will only be available for purchase with cash on the tram, or on the TSY mobile app using a card.

Adam Allan, 19, a student at the university of Sheffield has previously purchased the CityWide tram ticket. He said: ” I have bought the ticket a fair few times because I go climbing a lot at the hangar on Sutherland Street.

“I don’t really understand why they needed to make the change, not being able to pay by card on the tram is quite inconvenient as I hardly carry cash these days and now I’ll need to remember to buy a ticket in advance.”

Mr Allan believes the changes may have a positive affect on other public transport.

He said: “I may just take the bus now instead as it’s cheaper and I can just tap my phone. The only issue is that the journey will be a lot longer.”

In a statement online, Supertram said the moves were due to concerns about misuse and fraud.

It said: “This change comes as part of our broader efforts to tackle organised crime linked to fraudulent ticket sales.” 

Tram-only tickets and TravelMaster GetAbout 7-Day Child tickets will still be available to purchase with card as well as cash on board the tram.

The Sheffield Supertram service was opened in 1994 and was only the second modern tramway network to be made in the UK. It was privatised to Stagecoach in 1997 in a bid to improve performance, however it was placed back under public control last year and is now managed by SYMCA.

The SYMCA statement added : “Supertram, TravelMaster and Travel South Yorkshire remain committed to providing accessible, secure and convenient ticketing options, ensuring customers can continue to purchase tickets with confidence.”