Digital ticket launched for Great North Run travel

Great North Run participants and spectators are being offered a new way to beat the travel queues with the launch of a digital ticket covering Metro, bus and ferry journeys.

The £6.50 Great North Run Day Rover is available through the Pop App for the first time ahead of this year’s event on Sunday, September 13.

Subsidised by North East mayor Kim McGuinness, the ticket provides unlimited travel across multiple forms of public transport throughout the day.

It covers the Tyne and Wear Metro, Shields Ferry, buses across County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, as well as rail services between Blaydon and Sunderland.

Nexus, which operates Metro, says the smartphone ticket will help passengers avoid queues at ticket machines while providing greater flexibility for those making multi-modal journeys.

The Pop App is available on iOS and Android devices.

Helen Mathews, commercial director at Nexus, said: “We are delighted to launch a digital version of our popular Great North Run Day Rover this year.

“This is the first time that the product has been available in this way. 

“Customers can buy it through the Pop App and all their travel is stored digitally on their smartphone. 

“It is ideal for anyone taking part in the event, or spectating, offering unlimited travel on Metro, buses, the Shields Ferry and some local rail services. 

“For runners and spectators alike, it offers flexibility and will save you time in the queue when it is really busy. 

“If you’re a runner, then you don’t need to worry where your travel ticket is after the race, it will be stored safely on the Pop App on your phone.” 

Passengers travelling solely by Metro are advised to use Pop Pay As You Go on their smartphone or smartcard, with fares capped at £5 through the Mayor’s Fares initiative.

A paper version of the Day Rover will remain available from Metro ticket machines for £6.50 ahead of the event.

Nexus will not sell its traditional Great North Run travel wristbands this year, with the digital ticket replacing them.

However, runners who previously ordered wristbands directly through the Great North Run will still receive them with their race packs.

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