Great North Run wristbands which serve as travel passes are expected to be snapped up in record numbers this year, as they go on general sale today.
The £6 Great North Run Rover wristband gives unlimited travel on Metro, buses and the Shields Ferry around the event. It was available for the first time this year through the entrance ballot process for the world-famous half marathon, with sales already passing 8,500.
And from today wristbands are on sale to runners and spectators alike at www.nexus.org.uk/greatnorthrun with the £6 price subsidised by the North East Combined Authority using funds from the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "The Great North Run is an iconic event and showcases the very best of our great North East. I look forward to the weekend every year – even more so now I’ll be taking part in the run itself, and with the added honour of being Mayor for this fantastic part of the world.
“I'm delighted to support the Great North Run with funding for the day travel passes, which will make the experience of travelling to and from the race easier and more affordable."
Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus and a Director at multi-modal ticket agency Network One said: “More Great North Run wristbands are being sent out than ever before this year thanks to our partnership with the Great Run Company.
“We’ve sent out 8,500 wristbands already which runners ordered as an add-on in their race packs and we expect to sell a lot more now they are on general sale.
“The Great North Run Rover wristbands are ideal for anyone taking part in the event, offering unlimited travel on Metro, buses and the Shields Ferry in a no-fuss format.
“For runners and spectators alike, they offer 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.”
Wristbands that runners applied for in advance are now being posted out in race packs and a total of 8,500 wristbands have already been bought, right across the UK.
They will also now be on sale at: www.nexus.org.uk/greatnorthrun where you can find full details of local public transport for the big day including extra Metro trains and special shuttle buses.
Nexus is also reminding customers the Shields Ferry, which be operating both vessels to provide a high-frequency service, is now cash free.
Wristbands are on sale at www.nexus.org.uk/greatnorthrun until 23 August and will be mailed out to customers ahead of the race.
A special Great North Run event ticket will also be available from all Metro ticket machines from 11 August. This a paper ticket version of the Great North Run Rover wristband.
The ‘All day, anywhere’ £6 Day Rover ticket is available throughout the year for unlimited travel in Tyne and Wear on bus, Metro and the Shields Ferry thanks to a subsidy from the UK Government through the North East CA’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.
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