YOU can now tap on and off on more journeys as Go North East brings its contactless feature to new routes in Newcastle and Gateshead - saving you money. 

The region’s largest bus company launched contactless payments on all its services way back in July 2017 but now tap on and tap off technology works out the best fair for travellers over multiple journeys.

This means if you make enough journeys, the company will charge you for a week pass instead of individually or per day, which would exceed the cost of the pass.

The technology is available on Go North East's electric buses, the Voltra 53 and 54 services around Gateshead and Newcastle, as well as QuayCity Q3 that connects Wallsend and Great Park with Newcastle city centre and the Quayside.

On services with tap on and tap off, travellers just tap their contactless bank cards or phones with Apple Pay or Google Pay on the reader when they board, then on the exit reader when they got off.

There is no need to get a ticket or tell the driver where they are going, with the technology working out the best fare for the journeys made.

This is the case regardless of whether it is a one-off trip, multiple journeys over a day or throughout the week.

The roll-out of this new ticketing technology will act as a proving ground and pave the way for future innovations for other bus routes.

Martijn Gilbert, managing director of the bus company, said: “The introduction of the North-East’s first ‘London style’ tap on, tap off ticketing is great news for our customers.

“We’re always looking to make things easier for our customers and this technology does exactly that.

“Customers no longer have to worry about researching which ticket they need for their journey, tap on, tap off simply provides them with the best value on Voltra or QuayCity.

“Building upon the major roll out of smartcard and then contactless bankcard acceptance from 2017 on bus ticket machines across the region, as well as advancements in app-based mobile phone ticket options, this further innovation cements the position that buses have as the most advanced, flexible and dynamic ticketing system of any public transport mode.

“We will be continuing our work with partners, including through Network One Ticketing, to make further use of this technology to help play our part in improving the ticketing offer for public transport users across the region.”