Metro Gold Card holders get the added benefit of all day travel in July and August.
Nexus, which owns and manages Metro, is repeating last year’s special offer by lifting the restriction which prevents holders using the Gold Card before 9.30am on weekdays for two months from Wednesday, 1 July, as well as all day at weekends and bank holidays.
Despite some issues with Metro smart ticketing system not accepting Gold Cards, holders are advised that they are still entitled to travel all day and if asked will need to show their ENCTS card (free bus pass) to a member of Metro staff if required.
The Gold Card is now being sold as a smartcard product which can be uploaded directly on to a concessionary travel scheme card for older and disabled people (free bus pass) from Metro ticket machines at all 60 stations, as well as at Nexus Travel Shops and via Payzone points.
People with most English National Concessionary Travel Scheme cards (bus passes) simply need to touch their card against the Metro ticket machine’s orange reader then press ‘Metro Tickets’ to be offered a year’s travel with Gold Card.
John Fenwick, Director of Finance and Resources, said: “The Gold Card rules are relaxed for July and August to give pass holders the benefit of all day Metro travel, when there are fewer commuters and students travelling.
“This is always a popular added extra for Gold Card customers as more people look to Metro for days out in the summer, including making trips with grandchildren during the school holidays.”
Gold Card, which costs £12 a year for Tyne and Wear residents and £25 a year for people from other areas, gives unlimited off-peak travel on Metro for pensioners and eligible disabled people. It also provides free travel on the cross-Tyne Shields Ferry service.