Bus & Metro to make travel simpler and smoother at the Great North Run
Runners and spectators can use just one ticket on all services
Great North Runners and spectators can this year use one ticket to travel on all Metro, bus and ferry services around the event.
After three years of pandemic related cancellations and changes, the Great North Run is returning to South Shields in September for the first time since 2019.
For the first time a special £6 Great North Run Rover ticket will let runners and spectators travel on all Metro, bus and Shields Ferry services on Sunday, 11 September, including express shuttle buses from South Shields seafront direct to Newcastle.
The ticket is on sale now as a runner’s wristband from the Nexus website and as a special advance-purchase paper ticket from Metro ticket machines.
Metro operator Nexus and bus companies will also work together for the first time to speed up the traditional queue to get home from South Shields after the race, with extra buses running from the town centre interchange alongside Metro.
Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster welcomed the new partnership by public transport companies to make travel simpler and smother for runners and spectators.
Sir Brendan said:
"It is great to hear that the Metro and bus companies are working together to improve the experience of everyone who will be out and about for Great North Run.
“Whether you’re a runner, spectator or volunteer hopefully this initiative will make it easier to get around on the day.”
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said:
“We’re delighted to see transport operators working together to provide a special one-day travel ticket for use on the Metro, Shields Ferry and buses on Great North Run day.
“We are always extremely proud to host the spectacular finish line and we can’t wait to welcome it back this year.
“It is such a special event that brings thousands of people to South Shields seafront. Anything that makes the process of getting around much simpler and smoother for both runners and spectators is fantastic news.”
Steve Walker, Managing Director of Stagecoach North East and chairman of joint ticketing company NTL said:
“We’re all looking forward to the Great North Run returning home to South Shields and we want to make it easier for everyone to get around.
“The new £6 special Great North Run Rover ticket can be used on all buses, Metro and the Shields Ferry throughout the day – including the shuttle buses which leave from Bents Park near the sea front.
“The new Great North Run Rover can be bought in advance as a runner’s wristband at www.nexus.org.uk or from Metro ticket machines to help people save time on the day.”
Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Metro operator Nexus, said:
“We have got together with bus operators Stagecoach and Go North East to help people get home from South Shields smoothly and speed up the queues in the town centre.
“In addition to buses leaving from Bents Park as they have done in previous years, there will be buses leaving South Shields interchange later in the afternoon alongside Metro. Customers will be able to choose between Metro to all destinations and a bus to Newcastle city centre as they reach the front of the queue.
“Public Transport coming together for the Great North Run adds up to a better day for runners and spectators as we look forward to working with event organisers and South Tyneside Council to bring the run home.”
The £6 special Great North Run Rover ticket is valid on Sunday, 11 September, only for travel on all local bus, Metro and Shields Ferry services in Tyne and Wear, including buses operated by Arriva, Stagecoach and Go North East, as well as routes provided by Nexus within the area.
For full details of local public transport, including diversions and changes as a result of the Great North Run, visit www.nexus.org.uk.
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