Tyne and Wear Metro Caps Single Fare at £2.50 with Pop Card

In a significant shift for public transport in the region, North East mayor Kim McGuinness has announced a new fare cap for the Tyne and Wear Metro. Starting April 1, the cost of a single journey using a Pop card will be capped at £2.50. This is the most substantial adjustment to the Metro’s ticketing system in two decades.

Key Features of the New Fare Structure

• Single Fare Cap: Capped at £2.50 for all zones with a Pop card.
• Daily Cap: A full day’s travel will also be capped at £5 using the Pop card.
• One-zone Ticket Price: Will rise to £2.20 from its current rate.
• Multi-zone Ticket Price Savings: Represents a savings of up to £1.30 for multiple zones.
• Paper Ticket Price Increase: The maximum cost will rise to £5.10, making Pop cards a more economical choice.

The subsidy for this new pricing initiative is projected to cost the mayor’s office around £1 million for the first year. McGuinness aims to make travel more accessible and affordable, as many commuters have expressed concerns over rising travel costs.

Impacts on Other Fare Types

While the cap on single fares offers relief, other fare types will see increases:

• Season tickets will increase by an average of 4.6%.
• The Gold Card for pensioners will rise from £15 to £18.
• Price increases for paper Metro tickets, with single fares expected to rise from £3 to £3.20 for one zone.
• Shields Ferry ticket prices will also rise, impacting both single and day tickets.

Rationale Behind the Changes

The adjustments come amid financial pressures faced by Metro operator Nexus. With operating costs rising and passenger numbers not yet reaching pre-COVID levels, the organization has had to rely on its reserves. Nexus is projected to spend over £25 million from reserves between 2025 and 2029 to maintain services, a strategy deemed unsustainable.

McGuinness emphasized that the goal of these fare changes is to make Metro travel more attractive and viable. “I want everyone in the North East to be able to use public transport,” she stated. “This fare cap will mark a significant improvement in accessibility.”

Future Outlook

Nexus managing director Cathy Massarella expressed optimism about the fare changes. She labeled the proposals a “game changer,” aiming to balance affordability with operational costs. The initiatives are intended not only to encourage smartcard usage among passengers but also to support those affected by the rising cost of living.

The upcoming changes will be brought before the North East Combined Authority’s cabinet on February 3 for approval. If agreed, the new pricing structure could redefine how residents of Tyne and Wear use public transport, providing a more affordable means of travel across multiple zones.