A cut in the cost of Metro travel for elderly and disabled passengers has sparked an increase in sales.
Nexus, which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, has been inundated with thousands of applications for Metro Gold Cards following the introduction of a price cut from April 1.
The cost of a Gold Card, which offers pensioners and people with disabilities discounted off-peak Metro travel for a one off annual payment, has been lowered from £25 to £12. The cost for people who are not resident in Tyne and Wear is down from £35 to £25.
This has prompted a rush of Gold Card sales, say Nexus, with more than 12,000 Gold Cards sold inside the first few weeks.
The price reduction means that pensioners and disabled people can get unlimited off-peak Metro travel for just £1 a month.
Unique to Tyne and Wear, the Gold Card is sold as a smartcard product which is uploaded directly on to a concessionary travel scheme card for older and disabled people (free bus pass).
Director of Finance and Resources for Nexus, John Fenwick, said: “We’ve seen renewed interest in Metro Gold Cards since the reduction in price.
“Our customers have also been uploading their Gold Cards as a smart product directly on to their free bus passes from Metro ticket machines, as well as buying them at the Nexus travel shops. This facility is a first in the country and we have now extended our customer offer to any outlet displaying a Payzone logo as part of our involvement in the North East Smart Ticketing Initiative.”
Metro Gold Cards were introduced by Nexus in 2006 to offer concessionary travel pass holders discounted off-peak travel on the Tyne and Wear Metro for a one off annual payment.