Who we are
Making public transport great for our environment, economy and communities
We do that by working together to provide an accessible, integrated system that meets the needs of our diverse communities. This involves:
- Owning and running the Tyne and Wear Metro.
- Working with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, local authorities and bus operators to improve local bus services.
- Owning and operating the Shields Ferry.
- Providing accessible public transport information.
- Maintaining bus stops and several bus stations in Tyne and Wear.
We help everyone make the most of these services, by:
Going above and beyond the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme in the region to provide additional benefits:
- Free travel before 9.30am for passholders with a hospital appointment, either to or from the hospital.
- Free travel until the last bus of the evening, even where this is after 11pm.
- All day travel where it’s needed for eligible disabled persons attending work or education more than 15 hours a week.
- Free travel for a companion of passholders who receive some higher levels of disability benefits and who’d otherwise be unable to make a journey.
- The opportunity to buy a Metro Gold Card giving unlimited travel on Metro and the Shields Ferry at concessionary travel times. Gold Card is also available to non-residents.
- A concessionary fare on the Shields Ferry and Newcastle-Metrocentre-Blaydon trains.
We’re committed to helping everyone get the best possible value from these services by:
- Running concessionary travel schemes for older and disabled customers and for children.
- Providing specialist travel services to help people access and continue education as well as assisting those with restricted mobility through cheaper travel.
- Providing over 220 scholars’ bus services.
- Offering some of the UK’s cheapest fares for children and young people under 21.
- Subsidising local rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland, and Newcastle and Ashington.
For today, and tomorrow
Our Delivery Plan sets out what we aim to deliver from 2026/27 to 2030/31. Drawn from the Regional Transport Plan and our Corporate Strategies, it’s underpinned by market research, evidence and best practice.
We put safety first, and act with integrity and dignity in all that we do.
Our performance, governance and corporate responsibilities
How we’re doing You can see how we’re performing against our plans at any time.
How we work We’re an executive body of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. We’re run and funded democratically, be elected representatives, with transparency and accountability.
How we’re sustainable We’re committed to operating ethically, sustainable and inclusively, making a positive contribution to society, the environment and the communities we serve.
Our current projects
Where we come from
Our current projects are just the latest in a history of public transport innovation stretching back over 800 years.
Who drives us?
Without our people, we’d never get anywhere. Their passion and professionalism drives everything we do, and we work hard to ensure we offer a great place to work, thrive, and grow. Take a closer look at our culture, roles, and rewards.