Tyne and Wear Metro travel is now available to buy from over 400 retail outlets across the region using a smartcard.
Nexus, which owns and manages Metro, has announced a tie up with the consumer payments network, Payzone. This means that Metro customers can buy Metro season tickets using a Pop card at shops with a Payzone terminal.
For the first time in Metro’s 34 year history, Metro season tickets are being sold at a range of outlets, including newsagents, convenience stores, supermarkets and off licences.
A total of 474 stores across region are selling Metro travel at Payzone points, with 212 of those stores located across the five districts of Tyne and Wear.
Payzone is a national network of payment terminals that allow people to pay for a range of services including mobile phone top ups and domestic bills. Payzone’s partners include mobile network operators, utility companies and public transport organisations.
Director of Finance and Resources for Nexus, John Fenwick, said: “Payzone makes it even easier for our customers to pay for their Metro travel and have it uploaded straight on to a smartcard. It’s very simple and convenient.
“All you need is a Pop card and you will be able to buy Metro season tickets at your local shop, newsagent or supermarket. There are 474 outlets across the north east selling Metro travel. It’s an historic development for Nexus in the way that we are able to sell tickets.”
Metro season tickets which are available via Payzone include all annual, Four-week and weekly MetroSavers, Student MetroSavers, 16-18 MetroSavers, and the University of Sunderland MetroSaver.
The Metro ticket is uploaded directly on to a Pop card at any Payzone point.
The move comes as the use of smartcards on the Metro system increases, with 100,000 Pop cards and other smartcards in circulation.
The roll out of Payzone is part of the investment in smart travel across the region led by NESTI, the North East Smart Ticketing Initiative. NESTI is a partnership of 12 local authorities, the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority and Nexus.
Later this year Payzone outlets will be selling the Pay As You Go product for Bus, Metro and Ferry travel throughout the north east. Passengers will be able top up their smartcards with cash at any Payzone point, as and when they need to travel.