T&W Metro contactless coming?

[inais20]

I’ve noticed that some of the pop validators have new wireless plates that have the contactless payment symbol on them. Is contactless PAYG finally coming?

 

[Edvid]

Yes it is. Had a look on the Nexus website and their Smart Ticketing project page includes the following:

What is Smart Ticketing?​

Our Smart Ticketing project is a strategic programme made up of a number of projects funded from different sources, with the aim of making it easy to pay for public transport journeys with smart and contactless technology.

[...]

What's changing?​

The project is made up of the following initiatives:

• Simplifying fares
• Improving ticket machines
• Introducing Pop 2.0: implementing a price cap covering all modes of travel
• Upgrading our smartcard readers
• Extending the mobile solution for tapping in/out
• Installing new gatelines for additional security
• Enabling tap in/out with your bank card across modes

How's it going?​

Multi-modal contactless bank card travel across operators

We’re looking at the option of allowing customers to ‘tap in’ and ‘tap out’ using any valid bank card or device. This would allow customers to travel at the best value fare across all modes of travel, with the system calculating the cost and the fare being collected from the customer’s account overnight.

[...]

Upgrading our ticket and card readers

We’re upgrading our current readers and adding new ones on gatelines so that they can all accept a ‘tap’ from phones or certain bank cards. The equipment is currently being accredited, and we’re looking to complete the work by the end of 2026.

 

[inais20]

Excellent news, thanks. About time too.

 

[Wallsendmag]

I believe several options are being looked into

 

[DH1Commuter]

Hopefully with barriers that are not always open, and on-train checks.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Hopefully with barriers that are not always open, and on-train checks.

LNER's barriers won't always be open for certain.