Passengers on the Tyne and Wear Metro can now use their phone to pay for train tickets and also open ticket gates thanks to their mobile app and a new partnership between Google Pay and Nexus.

Nexus has worked with Google Pay and other partners and says it will transform how passengers access the Metro in a contactless way.

The new technology is now available on all Android smartphones so that passengers can buy digital tickets from a Pop card app, anywhere.

Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “The Pop card app will revolutionise how people can pay for their travel and then access the Metro network by simply touching their phone on to a gate or validator.”

“Customers can buy and store electronic tickets on Android smartphones, and then travel without needing to carry a separate ticket or smartcard.”

“It’s convenient, easy to use, speeds up journey times, and, in this Covid-19 era, it will further minimise the need for customers to use cash and come into contact high with touch surfaces on our ticket machines.”

“We have worked with one of the world’s biggest companies on one hand and Nebula Labs, a tech start-up from here in North East England, to make this happen.”

Passengers can download the Pop app from the Google Play Store.

When passengers purchase their Metro ticket on the app, it will use NFC technology to open the ticket gates.

Jonathan Hill, Head of Transit Partnerships Google Pay, added: “We are excited to work with Nexus and Yotra Ltd to help speed up travel for Nexus customers.”

“Easing the end-to-end travel experience has been a key focus for Google, and we’re excited that people on the Nexus app can now use Google Pay to instantly buy, store and use Pop Metro tickets.”

In a joint statement, Dylan McKee and Nic Flynn from Nebula Labs, said: “We were delighted to be chosen to work with Nexus on this exciting project.  Working closely with all partners, we’ve developed a smart ticketing app that will be user friendly, efficient and make travel on the Metro even easier. Benefiting customers and staff, we look forward to the app being launched and becoming part of everyday life throughout Tyne and Wear.”

Alistair Smith, Chairman of Yotra Ltd, said: “We are proud to be working with Nexus to provide Metro passengers in Tyne and Wear with a simple and convenient way to pay for their journeys and travel without the need for a paper ticket or plastic smartcard.”

“Across all industries, mobile payments are on the rise, with one in six UK adults registered for mobile payment services, such as Google Pay. We recognise public transport needs to embrace the digital world and have developed ITSO on Mobile to offer passengers a seamless, and, importantly, in today’s world, a touchless journey.”

Alistair Smith, Chairman of Yotra Ltd says: “We are proud to be working with Nexus to provide
Metro passengers in Tyne and Wear with a simple and convenient way to pay for their journeys
and travel without the need for a paper ticket or plastic smartcard.

“Across all industries, mobile payments are on the rise, with one in six UK adults registered for
mobile payment services, such as Google Pay. We recognise public transport needs to
embrace the digital world and have developed ITSO on Mobile ® to offer passengers a seamless
and, importantly in today’s world, a touchless journey”.

Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “The Pop card app will revolutionise
how people can pay for their travel and then access the Metro network by simply touching their
phone on to a gate or validator.

“Customers can buy and store electronic tickets on Android smartphones, and then travel
without needing to carry a separate ticket or smartcard.

“It’s convenient, easy to use, speeds up journey times, and, in this Covid-19 era, it will further
minimise the need for customers to use cash and come into contact high with touch surfaces on
our ticket machines.

Jonathan Hill, Head of Transit Partnerships Google Pay “We are excited to work with Nexus and
Yotra Ltd to help speed up travel for Nexus customers. Google Pay aims to create an effortless,
immersive mobile transit experience for users, removing the friction of getting a ticket and
saving valuable time for busy passengers.

“Easing the end-to-end travel experience has been a key focus for Google, and we’re excited
that people on the Nexus app can now use Google Pay to instantly buy, store and use Pop
Metro tickets.”

Ken Cameron, S&B UK Managing Director concludes “This project complements the retailing
infrastructure we provide to Nexus and the Tyne & Wear Metro and appeals to the technology
adopters that are becoming increasingly important, especially during the Coronavirus pandemic.

We are excited to follow its progress.”

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