Network One, the multi-operator ticketing solution which covers any bus, the Metro and ferry, has been extended to include travel in County Durham and Northumberland making it easier for people to travel around the region using public transport.
The region’s transport companies, local authorities and the Joint Transport Committee, have worked in partnership to deliver integrated ticketing across the region throughout all seven local authority areas.
According to the collaboration, people living outside of Tyne and Wear who travel in to use the Metro or other bus services will be able to buy one ticket that is valid throughout their journey.
The new ticket option, called ‘All Zones Plus’, can be bought on any mobile app of the region’s main bus companies, Go North East, Stagecoach and Arriva for travel on bus and Metro services – and the Shields Ferry.
Steve Walker, chair of Network One Ticketing and managing director at Stagecoach North East, said: “Network One has long provided ticketing for customers in Tyne and Wear who use buses, Metro and the Ferry.
“It has also long been an aspiration for us to extend these tickets into County Durham and Northumberland. The travel work area has grown across the region, and I am pleased that this is now a reality making it easier for people to travel around the region.”
Furthermore, existing Tyne and Wear Network One All Zones tickets can now be purchased on a Pop smartcard enabling users to have only one smartcard for multi-modal travel across the region, regardless of which operators they are travelling with.
Martijn Gilbert, chair of NEbus and managing director at Go North East, said: “Partnership working has never been stronger in the region, with everyone working to an even more integrated and sustainable public transport network, which is crucial as the regional economy recovers from the pandemic.
“Improving ticketing and information through technology with mobile apps and smartcards are tools that have been in place at individual operators for many years.
“It is great that these tools have come together across all bus operators and Metro to make things even easier and simpler for customers.”
