'First time' - Nexus reveal £6.50 'unlimited' travel deal for Great North Run
A new digital travel ticket which can be downloaded on to a smartphone has been launched for this year’s Great North Run.
A digital travel ticket which can be downloaded to a smartphone has been launched for the 2026 Great North Run.
The £6.50 Great North Run Day Rover gives unlimited travel on Metro, buses and the Shields Ferry around the event. It is available to buy through the Pop App for the first time.
The new digital ticket suits people who plan to travel by a combination of bus, Metro and ferry during the day of the Newcastle-South Shields race, Sunday, September 13. It’s on sale through the Pop App and is subsidised by the North East Mayor.
Metro operator Nexus said the product, which is available on both iOS and Android smartphones, will save time and help beat the queues at ticket machines while giving flexibility on the day.
It benefits customers using services anywhere between Blaydon and Sunderland.
Customers just travelling by Metro should use Pop Pay As You Go on their phone or smartcard, with fares capped at £5.
Nexus commercial director Helen Mathews, said: “We are delighted to launch a digital version of our popular Great North Run Day Rover this year.
“This is the first time that the product has been available in this way. Customers can buy it through the Pop App and all their travel is stored digitally on their smartphone.
“It is ideal for anyone taking part in the event, or spectating, offering unlimited travel on Metro, buses, the Shields Ferry and some local rail services.
“For runners and spectators alike, it offers flexibility and will save you time in the queue when it is really busy. If you’re a runner, then you don’t need to worry where your travel ticket is after the race, it will be stored safely on the Pop App on your phone.”
A paper version of the Great North Run Day Rover, also £6.50, is available to buy from Metro ticket machines ahead of the event, valid on the Metro, Shields Ferry, buses in County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear and Northern trains between Sunderland and Blaydon.
Nexus is not selling Great North Run wristbands this year, with the Pop App digital ticket option taking their place.
However, Great North Run company is posting wristbands in the run packs for those who ordered them.