Pay as You Go launches on ITSO on Mobile

Tyne and Wear’s passenger transport authority, Nexus is announcing the expansion of ITSO on Mobile® across its Metro light railway network with the launch of Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) on Android. 

Developed by Yotra, ITSO on Mobile® brings the ITSO-compatible Nexus smartcard, Pop, to passengers’ smartphones, using the Google Pay digital wallet. Metro customers can now get PAYG on their Android smartphones and enjoy the savings that the pay as you go product offers. 

In order to use Pop PAYG on Android, customers just need to add the Pop card, with value loaded, into their Google Pay app and then use it to touch in and out of the Metro system, in the same way that they use a Pop card. Google Pay automatically deducts the fare from the virtual card and applies the PAYG discount. 

Customers using their smartphone to travel will no longer need to queue for ticket machines or carry paper tickets or plastic smartcards.

Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “Pop Pay As You Go on Android will transform how our customers can pay for their travel using Google Pay, and this will make it even easier for people to access the Tyne and Wear Metro.

“Two-thirds of Metro customers tell us they are keen to move to smartphones as a way to pay for their journeys, and today we are making that possible for Android users.

“All you need to do is top up the app on your smartphone and then touch in and out through gatelines with your phone. The app automatically deducts the fare for you and applies the Pop Pay As Go fare cap. It’s convenient, easy to use, and will speed up journey times.

“The tickets are stored electronically on Android smartphones, so you can travel without needing to carry a separate ticket or smartcard.

Alistair Smith, Chair of Yotra Ltd, said: “We are pleased to see the expansion of Pop tickets being available for purchase within Google Pay on Android, allowing passengers more choice in how they plan, buy and travel across the Metro network.

“We recognise public transport needs to embrace the digital world and have developed Yotra to offer passengers a seamless and, importantly in today’s world, a touchless journey. We look forward to continuing to work with Nexus and its ticketing partners to further enhance the digital ticketing offering to passengers ”.

The project is a collaboration between Nexus, Google, Yotra, ticketing and gating supplier Scheidt and Bachmann, and Newcastle-based software company Nebula Labs, who built the smartphone app with its easy-to-use format.

The Pop card app is available for download free of charge from the Google Play Store.