Commuters hit jackpot in tram ticket madness.

THE jinxed Midland Metro has handed passengers a surprise cash jackpot - from money-spewing ticket machines.

Commuters have been walking away with pockets full of coins after vending equipment was hit by a costly computer fault.

The embarrassing news is the latest calamity for the pounds 145 million Metro which is due to be officially opened by HRH Princess Anne on Tuesday.

Tram bosses are now working around the clock on repairs to prevent any future cash drain.

The Metro, which runs from Birmingham to Wolverhampton, opened in May following months of delays but owners Altram have suffered a series of PR disasters since - including breakdowns, crashes and even lightning strikes.

Italian firm Italtel supplied 48 ticket vending machines for the 24 station stops but the machines have suffered numerous faults - including the surprise cash bonus.

One customer said: "I put my money in expecting a ticket but I nearly fell over when a bucket-load of cash dropped down instead.

"I like to think I'm an honest person but this was too good an opportunity to miss. It was like winning on a Las Vegas slot machine."

Passenger Jim Chalmers, aged 52, of Walsall, said: "I tried to get a ticket at the West Bromwich tram stop but the machine wouldn't accept my coins.

"I had to cross to the other side of the station to find one that wasn't out of order. I didn't mind because I'm quite fit but it would be a real trek for an elderly passenger."

Chris Elliot, engineering manager for Altram, said: "A number of people have received more cash out of the machines than they have actually put in.

"We believe the fault was caused by on-going software problems but the amounts involved were fairly small and that particular problem has now been fixed.

"A number of customers actually handed back the extra cash which shows how honest most Midland people are."

Altram is now putting pressure on Italtel to remedy remaining problems with the vending machines.

Chris said: "Italtel has actually sent over a specialist to look at the computer software faults. This is an unwelcome headache but we are confident the problems will be resolved in the next few days."

A spokesman for Italtel said: "A number of the machines have been out of order but this has not all been down to software faults.

"We have actually taken machines apart to find pieces of wood and plastic had been pushed in. You cannot legislate against this type of vandalism."

Mercury Comment - p18.