Pop cards

From Tyne and Wear Metro wiki
(Redirected from Pop PAYG card)

This article covers every smart card product offered by Nexus. For the specific product simply called "Pop Card", see Season Tickets Pop Card. For the Pop trademark, see Pop.

Pop cards are Nexus' selection of ITSO-compatible[1] smart cards for public transport in Tyne and Wear and some surrounding areas.

History

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On 26 August 2009, Nexus confirmed that the Department for Transport had committed £13.4 million for new ticket machines and barriers which would "be set up to enable the introduction of a smart ticketing system".[2] This smart ticketing scheme later became part of the North East Smart Ticketing Initiative.[3][4]

The Pop Card was announced by Nexus on 14 February 2011 with a press event held at St James and on board metrocar 4084, which was liveried with Pop branding.[3][5] A smart card replacement for the Under 16 Card (the Under 16 Pop Card) was also announced as early as 26 January 2011, although its "Pop" name was not announced until later.[6][7][8] These announcements also confirmed that smart card validators would be installed at all stations.[4]

Early publications about the Pop Card claimed that it would support "pay as you ride" functionality in 2012.[3][4] However, this ended up being a distinct product (Pop Pay As You Go) which did not actually launch until 2 November 2015.[9][10]

Similarly, early publications about the Under 16 Pop Card claimed that it would "in future be used to pay for travel".[7] However, this capability was never added, and an under-16 smart card that could be used to pay for travel was not made available until September 2020 with the launch of Junior blue.[11]

Pop Blue launched on 2 January 2018,[12] originally only available to people aged between 16 and 18 (inclusive).[13][14] Pop 19-21 was launched in September 2021[15][16], but removed from sale on 7 May 2023, with Pop Blue eligibility extended to include people aged between 19 and 21 (inclusive).[17][18]

By 13 July 2018, Nexus was working with Google to develop a mobile app to allow customers to pay for Metro tickets.[19] This app, the Pop app, was first published to the Google Play Store on 13 November 2020,[20] allowing users to buy One Week Metro Season Tickets and store them in a virtual Pop Card. Support for iOS was not added due to questions Apple had over data access and third-party firms, but Nexus was in talks to change this.[21][22] When publicly announcing the app on 24 November 2020, Nexus also stated plans to add other products, including Pop PAYG, in 2021.[23][24] However, Nexus did not announce support for Pop PAYG in Google Pay (now Google Wallet) until 28 February 2022.[25][26][27][28] On 22 November 2024, Nexus told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that Apple was planning to rollout the technology required to support adding UK transit cards (including Pop cards) to Apple Wallet. However, they also added that new smartcard readers would be needed first.[29][30]

By 24 May 2024, the North East Combined Authority (now the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority) had announced "Pop 2.0", which would introduce account-based ticketing and "allow users of the Pop card to have their daily travel capped across bus, Metro, Ferry and some local rail services".[31] It is also intended to be "developed further, enabling the introduction of weekly price caps, a mobile solution across a range of wallets, and, subject to the establishment of an acceptable Business Case, acceptance of Bank Cards (cEMV) for the purposes of tapping on and tapping off".[32] It was originally due to launch in autumn 2024,[31] but was later delayed until spring/summer 2025,[32] then until autumn 2025,[33][34] then until spring 2026,[35] then until 2026.[36] As of 22 July 2026, no further updates have been widely publicised. However, one leak suggests that Pop 2.0 will be launched with new Pop PAYG and Pop Blue cards on 1 November 2026.[OR]

On 21 June 2026, Chronicle Live reported that "the rollout of digital Pop cards to all smartphones will finally be completed later this year, after years of only working on Android and not iPhones."[37]

Card types

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Nexus has offered a number of smart card products under the Pop umbrella.[38] This section details many of the cards that are or once were offered as of 22 July 2026 but may not serve as an exhaustive list.

Pop cards for storing season tickets

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Some Pop cards are used to store season tickets and entitlements for them. These season tickets are purchased for specific Metro zones and can be used to travel on Metro trains within those zones. Depending on the zones purchased, they can also be used on a limited number of bus services, Northern train services, and the Shields Ferry.[38]

Season Tickets Pop Card

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The Season Tickets Pop Card (often referred to as just the Pop Card, the season card, or the rainbow Pop card) is used for storing Metro Season Tickets[39] (including Student Metro Season Tickets[40] and 18 and Under Metro Season Tickets[41]), 18 and Under entitlements, and Student entitlements.[38]

This Pop Card was announced on 14 February 2011, making it the first ever Pop card.[3]

The design of this Pop Card is made up of a number of coloured stripes.

Season Tickets Pop Card (Digital)
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One Week Metro Season Tickets can also be bought in the Android version of the Pop app, released on 13 November 2020, and are stored in Google Wallet as a virtual Season Tickets Pop Card.[42][43][44][45]

Pride Pop card
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A special edition LGBTQIA+ themed Pop card (also referred to as the Pride Pop card) was offered on 20 July 2024 as part of the 2024 Northern Pride (now Newcastle Pride) festival. The Pride Pop card was designed by Em T Sharp and features Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Marsha P. Johnson, Claude Cahun and Audre Lorde.[46][47][48][49]

Corporate Pop card

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The Corporate Pop card is used to store Corporate Metro Season Tickets purchased by an employer.[50][38]

Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG)

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Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) refers to Nexus' selection of PAYG products. Users of Pop PAYG top up their smart card or Google Wallet with a balance, tap their smart card or device on a smart card validator, and are then charged the appropriate fare for their journey from their Pop PAYG balance.[51] All Pop PAYG products can be used to travel on Metro trains,[52] and Northern trains between Newcastle and Ashington,[53] with daily fare caps automatically applying. All Pop PAYG smart cards can also be used to buy paper tickets for the Shields Ferry at reduced fares compared to standard adult tickets,[54] as well as on local bus services at the bus operator's standard fares, but neither are included in the daily fare cap.[55][38]

Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) card

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The Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) card is Nexus' PAYG smart card aimed at people aged 22 or older. Its fares for Metro trains, and Northern trains between Newcastle and Ashington, are reduced compared to standard adult paper tickets. On the Shields Ferry it can be used to buy a PAYG Ferry Single or a PAYG Ferry Day Ticket.[54][38]

The design of the Pop PAYG card is mostly made up of purple stripes, but also features green, white and black stripes.

Pop PAYG launched on 2 November 2015.[9][10]

Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) card (Google Wallet)
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A virtual Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) card has also been available in Google Wallet since 28 February 2022.[56][57][58][59] Unlike the smart card equivalent, Google Wallet can only be used on supported rail services, not on buses or the Shields Ferry.[60][38]

Snowdogs Pop Pay As You Go card
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The Snowdogs Pop Pay As You Go card is a limited-edition Pop PAYG card that was sold online in late 2016 as part of the Great North Snowdogs, a public art event organised by and raising money for St. Oswald's Hospice.[61][62] Its design is similar to that of a standard Pop PAYG card, but with an illustration of The Snowdog added.

Great Exhibition of the North Pop Pay As You Go card
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The Great Exhibition of the North Pop Pay As You Go card is a limited-edition Pop PAYG card that was given to Get North Makers volunteers and sold online to celebrate The Great Exhibition of the North in 2018.[63]

Pop Blue card

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The Pop Blue card is Nexus' PAYG product aimed at people aged between 16 and 21 (inclusive). Its fares for Metro trains, and Northern trains between Newcastle and Ashington, are reduced compared to standard paper tickets. On the Shields Ferry it can be used to buy a 21 and Under Ferry Single or a 21 and Under Ferry Day Ticket.[64][65][38]

The design of the Pop Blue card is made up of blue stripes and reads "blue" on the bottom right.

Pop Blue launched on 2 January 2018,[12] originally only available to people aged between 16 and 18 (inclusive).[13][14] On 7 May 2023, Pop Blue eligibility extended to include people aged between 19 and 21 (inclusive).[17][18]

Junior blue card

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The Junior blue card (also referred to as the Under 16 Pop PAYG card) is Nexus' PAYG product aimed at people aged between 5 and 15 (inclusive). Unlike Nexus' other PAYG products, it does not make the user eligible for any reduced fares, and unlike the Under 16 Pop card, it does not act as proof of age or show entitlement for concessionary child fares but it is available to people outside of Tyne and Wear.[66][67][68][69][38]

The design of the Junior blue card is a simpler version of the Pop Blue card, with the prominent "Pop" logo replaced with "Junior".

Junior blue launched in September 2020.[11] On multiple occasions in early 2025, Nexus and the North East Combined Authority (now the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority) claimed that it would be discontinued from 1 July 2025.[70][71][72][73] However, as of 12 June 2026, it is still valid,[38] available to order,[74] and advertised across Nexus' website.[68][69]

Pop 19-21 card

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The Pop 19-21 card was Nexus' PAYG product aimed at people aged 19 to 21 (inclusive). Since 7 May 2023, it has behaved as a Pop Blue card.[38]

The design of the Pop 19-21 card is made up of red, green and blue stripes and reads "19-21" on the bottom right.

Pop 19-21 was launched in September 2021[15][16], but removed from sale on 7 May 2023, with Pop Blue eligibility extended to include people aged between 19 and 21 (inclusive).[17][18]

Under 16 Pop card

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The Under 16 Pop card is used to show entitlement for concessionary child fares[8] available to people in year 11 or below at school and who live in Tyne and Wear. It can be used to buy Concessionary Child Single tickets for both Metro and the Shields Ferry, and the Child All-day Ticket (U16 CAT) which can be used on Metro, the Shields Ferry, local bus services, and Northern trains between Newcastle, Sunderland and Blaydon. Unlike the Junior blue card, it does not store a balance and cannot be used as a payment method.[75][38]

The Under 16 Pop card replaced the older Under 16 Card shortly after Pop was first introduced in February 2011.[7]

The design of the Under 16 Pop card is made up of blue and yellow stripes.

Compatible smart cards

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These smart cards are not officially part of the Pop umbrella, and all existed prior to the existence of Pop, but they use the same smart card technology and are sometimes included when Nexus refer to "Pop cards".

TaxiCard

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The TaxiCard is a smart card offered by Nexus to some people in Tyne and Wear with mobility difficulties, making them eligible for seasonal grants that can be used towards a flat discount on fares for journeys with select taxi operators that start and end in Tyne and Wear. For users who live in Newcastle, Gateshead, or Sunderland, the grant is stored digitally on the smart card. Users who live in North Tyneside or South Tyneside are instead issued a book of vouchers, with the card only showing that the vouchers are valid.[76]

The TaxiCard scheme was launched in September 2008, replacing an older TaxiLink scheme.[77]

Concessionary Travel (CT) Pass

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Nexus is responsible for offering Concessionary Travel (CT) Passes, as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, to people who live in Tyne and Wear and are either State Pension age or disabled. Nexus' CT passes are also used as eligibility for and to digitally store the Metro Gold Card. Nexus offer three types of CT Pass: one for older people, one for disabled people, and one for disabled people who require a companion with travelling (also referred to as the Companion Card, which Nexus sometimes refers to as distinct from other CT passes). All of Nexus' CT passes can serve as Off Peak CT Passes, but some disabled people are also eligible for their CT Pass or Companion Card to serve as an All Day CT Pass.[38][78][79][80]

References

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  1. ↑ "Nexus launch ITSO on Mobile on the Metro" (archived). ITSO. 24 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Nexus welcomes final funding for new Metro ticket machines and barriers." (accessed 10 June 2026). Nexus. 26 August 2009.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Nexus launches Pop - a new smartcard for Tyne and Wear" (archived from the original). Nexus. 14 February 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Beattie, Clare (May 2011). "Air Quality Action Plan: South Gosforth, Newcastle City Council" (PDF) (Report) (archived). Air Quality Consultants. Newcastle City Council. p. 21.
  5. ↑ "popcard.flv" (video). YouTube. Nexus. 16 February 2011.
  6. ↑ "Parents asked to renew Under 16 Cards" (archived from the original). Nexus. 26 January 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Young people urged to be the first to get smart with Pop Card" (archived from the original). Nexus. 15 February 2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Parents urged to replace Nexus Under 16 travel cards before deadline" (archived from the original). Nexus. 4 July 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Pop Pay As You Go smart travel is officially launched" (archived from the original). Nexus. 2 November 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Minister launches Pop Pay As You Go travel" (PDF) (archived from the original). Nexus Matters. No. 22. Nexus. November 2015. p. 1.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Young people travelling smarter with Metro" (accessed 12 June 2026). Nexus. 13 September 2021.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Hindhaugh, Aaron (20 November 2017). "Nexus introduce £1 Metro tickets for under 18s throughout Tyne and Wear" (archived). SR News.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Holden, Alan (6 March 2020). "One million journeys on Tyne and Wear Metro made using Pop Blue Smartcard" (archived). Rail Advent.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Millington, Jo (3 March 2020). "A million Metro journeys are made using the Pop blue smartcard" (archived). Rail Business Daily.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Nexus launches a new Pop card for 19 to 21-year-olds" (accessed 14 June 2026). Nexus. 22 September 2021.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 White, Chloe (24 October 2021). "1000 young people take advantage of new Metro Pop Card" (archived). RailAdvent.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Cheaper Metro fares for young people are to be introduced from May 7" (accessed 14 June 2026). Nexus. 17 April 2023.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Booth, Janine (18 April 2023). "Tyne and Wear Metro cuts fares for young people from 7 May" (archived). RailAdvent.
  19. ↑ Hill, Laura (13 July 2018). "Want to pay for your Metro ticket on your phone? There will soon be an app for that" (archived). ChronicleLive.
  20. ↑ "Pop" (archived). AppBrain.
  21. ↑ "New Metro ticket app cannot be used on iPhones" (archived). BBC. 25 November 2020.
  22. ↑ Holland, Daniel (25 November 2020). "Mobile ticket app to 'revolutionise' Metro finally released – but you can't download it on iPhones" (archived). ChronicleLive.
  23. ↑ "Smartphone ticketing arrives on the Tyne and Wear Metro" (archived). Nexus. 24 November 2020.
  24. ↑ Phillips, Tom (24 November 2020). "Tyne and Wear Metro launches mobile ticketing on Android phones". NFCW.
  25. ↑ "Pay As You Go Metro travel arrives on Android smartphones" (archived). Nexus. 28 February 2022.
  26. ↑ Smith, Roger (2 March 2022). "Tyne & Wear Metro introduces Pay As You Go for Android smartphones" (archived). RailAdvent.
  27. ↑ "Pay as You Go launches on ITSO on Mobile" (archived). Yotra. 28 February 2022.
  28. ↑ "Pay As You Go now live on ITSO on Mobile" (archived). ITSO. 28 February 2022.
  29. ↑ Holland, Daniel (23 November 2024). "Transport bosses 'committed' to iPhone ticket plan" (archived). BBC.
  30. ↑ Holland, Daniel (22 November 2024). "Tyne and Wear Metro iPhone tickets hope as Nexus urged to finally make Pop card upgrade" (archived). ChronicleLive.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Pop 2.0" (archived from the original). North East Combined Authority. 24 April 2024.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "North East Bus Service Improvement Plan" (archived). North East Combined Authority. p. 35.
  33. ↑ North East Local Transport Plan: Delivering Green Transport (archived). North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. p. 70.
  34. ↑ Hall, Daniel (4 April 2025). "Integrated bus and Metro pass in North East finally coming this autumn" (archived). Chronicle Live.
  35. ↑ "Delivering for the North East 2025/26 Delivery Update" (archived). North East Combined Authority.
  36. ↑ Holland, Daniel (22 October 2025). "Metro Pop card expansion delayed into 2026 as transport boss issues contactless update" (archived). Chronicle Live.
  37. ↑ Holland, Daniel (21 June 2026). "More frequent Metro service from December as trains to arrive every 10 minutes under timetable boost" (archived). Chronicle Live.
  38. ↑ 38.00 38.01 38.02 38.03 38.04 38.05 38.06 38.07 38.08 38.09 38.10 38.11 38.12 "Ticket Terms and Conditions" (archived). Travel North East. 23 June 2026.
  39. ↑ "Metro Season Ticket" (archived). Travel North East.
  40. ↑ "Student Metro Season Ticket" (archived). Travel North East.
  41. ↑ "18 and Under Metro Season Ticket" (archived). Travel North East.
  42. ↑ "Pop app for Tyne and Wear Metro" (archived). Travel North East.
  43. ↑ "Smartphone ticketing arrives on the Tyne and Wear Metro" (archived from the original). Nexus. 24 November 2020.
  44. ↑ "Nexus launch ITSO on Mobile on the Metro" (archived). ITSO. 24 November 2020.
  45. ↑ "Nexus brings mobile ticketing to the North East with ITSO on Mobile®" (archived). Yotra. 24 November 2020.
  46. ↑ "LGBTQIA+ themed Pop card celebrates Pride 2024" (accessed 11 June 2026). Nexus. 2 July 2024.
  47. ↑ "PRIDE POP CARD" (archived). Northern Pride.
  48. ↑ Hall, Daniel (2 July 2024). "Metro launches Pop card with LGBTQ+ icons ahead of Northern Pride" (archived). ChronicleLive.
  49. ↑ Longhorn, Danny (4 July 2024). "LGBTQIA+ themed Pop card celebrates Pride 2024" (archived). RailBusinessDaily.
  50. ↑ "Corporate Metro Season Ticket" (archived). Travel North East.
  51. ↑ "Pop Pay As You Go" (archived). Travel North East.
  52. ↑ "PAYG on Metro" (archived). Travel North East.
  53. ↑ "PAYG on Rail" (archived). Travel North East.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 "PAYG on Ferry" (archived). Travel North East.
  55. ↑ "PAYG on Bus" (archived). Travel North East.
  56. ↑ "Pay As You Go Metro travel arrives on Android smartphones" (archived from the original). Nexus. 28 February 2022.
  57. ↑ Smith, Roger (2 March 2022). "Tyne & Wear Metro introduces Pay As You Go for Android smartphones" (archived). RailAdvent.
  58. ↑ "Pay as You Go launches on ITSO on Mobile" (archived). Yotra. 28 February 2022.
  59. ↑ "Pay As You Go now live on ITSO on Mobile" (archived). ITSO. 28 February 2022.
  60. ↑ "Pop Pay As You Go with Google Wallet" (archived). Travel North East.
  61. ↑ "Great North Snowdogs take over Metro" (archived from the original). Nexus. 19 September 2016.
  62. ↑ "Limited Edition Great North Snowdog Pop Pay As You Go card including a £10 balance" (archived from the original). Nexus.
  63. ↑ "Metro proudly supports the Great Exhibition of the North" (accessed 11 June 2026). Nexus. 26 June 2018.
  64. ↑ "Pop Blue FAQs" (archived). Travel North East.
  65. ↑ "Pop Blue" (archived). Travel North East.
  66. ↑ "New contactless and cash-free Metro travel for Under 16s" (archived from the original). Nexus. 20 October 2020.
  67. ↑ Thompson, Victoria (21 October 2020). "Junior Blue smartcard launched for under 16s on Tyne & Wear Metro" (archived). RailAdvent.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 "Junior blue" (archived). Travel North East.
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 "Junior blue FAQs" (archived). Travel North East.
  70. ↑ Smith, Roger (29 January 2025). "New fares for the Tyne and Wear Metro" (archived). RailAdvent.
  71. ↑ Serle, Fraser (28 January 2025). "Mayor steps in to delay Metro fare rises" (archived). North East Combined Authority.
  72. ↑ "New Metro and Shields Ferry fares introduced from 1 July 2025" (accessed 12 June 2026). Nexus. 28 January 2025.
  73. ↑ "Metro and Shields Ferry fares from Tuesday 1 July 2025" (accessed 12 June 2026). Nexus. 25 June 2025.
  74. ↑ https://buyandapply.nexus.org.uk/ (archived). Nexus.
  75. ↑ "Concessionary travel for children and young people who are aged 16 and under and live in Tyne and Wear" (archived). Travel North East.
  76. ↑ "TaxiCard" (archived). Travel North East.
  77. ↑ "Raw deal for disabled travellers" (archived). ChronicleLive. 27 February 2013.
  78. ↑ "Get a Concessionary Travel Pass for Tyne and Wear Residents" (accessed 7 July 2026). Nexus.
  79. ↑ "Concessionary travel for people who are State Pension age or older and live in Tyne and Wear" (archived). Travel North East.
  80. ↑ "Concessionary travel for people who have a disability and live in Tyne and Wear" (archived). Travel North East.
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