Stagecoach North East and Arriva have been joined by Go North East on a multi-operator scheme in the Tees Valley region.
The Easyrider scheme includes a new multi-operator smart card and gives customers the flexibility to use one card to travel across the region, with unlimited travel on each operator’s buses throughout Teesside for the equivalent of less than £3 per day.
The new Smart Easyrider, developed in partnership by all three operators, will build on the success of the north east SmartZone card.
Passengers can now purchase their weekly Easyrider on a StagecoachSmart card, Arriva Connect or Go North East key smartcard from their driver. Longer term Easyriders can also be purchased online or in travelshops. Tickets will be accepted on any Stagecoach, Go North East or Arriva services across Teesside, or across the wider Tees Valley.
In a joint statement, Steve Walker, Managing Director, Stagecoach North East; Kevin Carr, Managing Director, Go North East; and Nick Knox, Area Managing Director, Arriva North East, said: “We’re proud to be launching this exciting new ticketing development across different operators which is a major step forward for passengers across the Tees Valley and will make travelling by bus even easier by giving customers complete ticketing flexibility, improving value and convenience.
“Smart ticketing, better information and easier ways to buy travel are at the heart of our strategy to make buses better through effective partnership working. Improving the customer experience is at the heart of what we do and follows our ongoing multi-million pound investment campaigns in new vehicles, smart and contactless ticketing and improved online and mobile information and ticketing tools.”
Kevin Carr, Managing Director, Go North East, added: “We’re pleased to be joining the Teesside Easy Rider scheme which, working in partnership with the other bus operators, gives people one ticket to use any bus across Tees Valley.”
