Around 50,000 young people in Tyne and Wear are being asked to renew their Under 16 travel cards – and get set for smart travel.
Nexus is this week writing to parents of Under 16 Card holders, apart from those in their final school year whose cards expire this summer.
It is asking holders to send in an updated photograph that can be applied to a new smart card free of charge, avoiding a £5 administration fee.
Under 16 Card holders will the be among the first to receive a new Nexus smart card, which as well as showing their entitlement to cheaper tickets, can in future be used to pay for travel.
Anyone under the age of 16 at the start of their current academic year and resident in Tyne and Wear can apply for a Nexus Under 16 Card.
It entitles the holder to travel at the child concessionary fare of 50p single and £1 all day on all bus, Metro, Shields Ferry and local rail services.
Tobyn Hughes, Nexus Director of Customer Services said: “We’re asking parents to do one simple thing – look out for the envelope from Nexus and send updated photos of any Under 16 Card holders in your family by the end of February.
“This is the first step to introducing smart travel technology, a much simpler and more secure way of paying for your child’s travel.”
Nexus is sending letters out this week, with replies needed before 28th February, after which the new cards will be issued.
An administration fee of £5 will apply to anyone who replaces an Under 16 Cards with a new smart version after 1 April 2011.