Tyne and Wear buses

County Advice overview

The North East of England area is covered by three main bus companies which are overseen by Nexus.  

Nexus provides concessionary bus pass schemes including disabled and older person’s bus passes, and companion cards. 

Many bus services in Tyne and Wear are operated with low floor buses. These have powered or manual ramps to make it easier for disabled people to board and dedicated wheelchair spaces. The bus will also have handrails and hand poles that are easy to see and grip, to help you keep your balance while you look for a seat.

All drivers and conductors have received assistance training and will help passengers where necessary. 

Go North East has an ‘Easy Access Guarantee’ which provides the added reassurance that, should a problem occur and a wheelchair user is unable to board, a complimentary taxi will be arranged.

Key tips 

One of your options, if you are no longer driving, is to use the bus. If you live near a bus route, this can be an easy way to do shopping and make other essential or leisure trips. 

You can plan ahead by finding route information and timetables online or by phoning your local authority or bus company. 

Buses can only stop at marked bus stops, so you need to be sure where you are getting off in advance. There are also often announcements, both spoken and on a screen, to inform you of the next stop. You can also ask the driver to let you know when your stop is approaching.

Consider if your nearest bus stop and the destination bus stop are accessible, if you are travelling with a mobility scooter or wheelchair.

Regional operators

Go North East

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/

Connects the region’s towns and villages with the cities and towns of Tyne and Wear.

Stagecoach North East

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/

Bus services run throughout the Tyne and Wear areas.

Arriva

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east

Buses run throughout the country. Information is available online.

Help with cost 

Older Person’s Bus Pass

Concessionary Bus Passes are available for older people who have reached state pension age and are resident in Tyne and Wear. The Older Person’s Bus Pass entitles you to free travel on bus services throughout England from 9.30am to 11.00am, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.

Residents of Tyne and Wear can apply for a concessionary bus pass using this link.

Disabled Person’s Bus Pass

If you have a disability and reside in Tyne and Wear, you may be entitled to a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass. There is no upper age restriction for this Concessionary Travel Pass.

You can find Information on eligibility and how to apply on the Nexus website.

Special Assistance

Go North East, Stagecoach and Arriva offer Journey Assistance Cards for passengers who may have limited vision or hearing, difficulty in communicating (including if English is not your first language), special educational needs or for passengers who need extra time or help to find a seat.

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Go North East website.

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Stagecoach website.

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Arriva website.

Passport schemes

The Companion Card

Applicable to residents of Tyne and Wear who are unable to travel without a companion. This card scheme allows your companion to travel with you free of charge on buses in Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland and Darlington. 

Nexus Bridge Card

If you find using public transport difficult because of age, disability, illness, or you lack confidence, you can carry a Bridge Card.

When you show the card to your bus driver and other transport staff, they will recognise that you may need extra journey help. You can collect a Bridge Card from Nexus Travel Shops, day centres, libraries or local authorities.

Travelling with mobility equipment

All local bus services should now provide wheelchair accessible buses with low floors and a ramp which the driver can extend to help you get on and off.

There will also be a dedicated area for a passenger to sit in a wheelchair.

Travelling with a scooter

Bus companies have different rules about the size and type of scooters that they will allow on board. 

In general, scooters should be no more than 600mm wide and 1000mm long and be able to turn in a space of 1200mm. Always contact your local bus company before travelling, to check the rules in your area and to find out if your scooter will be accepted.

Assistance dogs

All recognised guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed to travel for free on buses.

Journey planning

Local bus providers have online journey planners and will be able to help you with route information and tickets. Be aware that online tickets for buses are often non-refundable if you cannot make your journey.

Nexus

Provides a journey planner that includes buses, the Metro, ferries and trains in the North East.

Go Northeast

Provide a journey planner, live times, fare and ticket information.

Stagecoach

Provide a journey planner, maps, and timetable.

Arriva

Provide a journey planner and ‘Find my Bus’ service.

Traveline

Traveline is a partnership of transport companies, local authorities and passenger groups which have come together to bring you routes and times for all travel in Great Britain by bus, rail, coach and ferry and to provide it in as many different ways as possible. 

You can check when the next buses in the Tyne and Wear area are due at your chosen stop on the Traveline North East website. 

Your nearest bus stop should provide seating and shelter in case you have to wait for a bus. In the bigger towns and cities, it may also include live information on when the next bus is due.