Nexus, which owns and operates the Shields Ferry, is increasing the fares from February 28, but Metro Gold Card holders will be able to use the pass to travel for free on the cross-Tyne service.
The revised prices were agreed by the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) at a meeting yesterday, Thursday.
The cost of Shields Ferry tickets has been increased to reduce the level of operating subsidy that is required each year to keep the service running, and at a time when Nexus faces challenging budgetary pressures.
Pensioners and disabled people who have a Metro Gold Card, which offers unlimited off-peak travel on Metro for a one off yearly payment, will be able to use their Gold Card to travel for free on the Shields Ferry from Monday February 28.
The cost of an adult single ticket on the ferry will go up by 15p from £1.10 to £1.25. The adult Return ticket is to be replaced by a new ticket called the Ferry DaySaver, allowing unlimited trips on the day of purchase. The price of this ticket goes up from £2 to £2.30.
The price for a child single ticket is to remain unchanged at 50p. An adult concessionary single goes up from 50p to 60p. A seven day pass is up from £8 to £9.50.
Director of Customer Services at Nexus, Tobyn Hughes, said: “The new fares on the Shields Ferry have been set as low as possible, but they do have to go up this year due to the pressure facing our budgets.
“I’m pleased that we have been able to extend the Metro Gold Card scheme to the ferry service from February 28. Gold Card offers good value. To be able to use it on the cross-Tyne ferry service is something extra for holders.”
Nexus is increasing the cost of Metro Gold Cards from £12 to £25 from Tuesday February 1, but has frozen the cost of child concessionary tickets on all public transport.