A local bus operator is continuing its support for one of the country’s most popular road races with additional transport for racegoers and visitors to the north east region.
Stagecoach North East is once again helping Great North Run participants, supporters and the general public to keep on the move on September 9 and is doing its best to ensure people get from start to finish in time by offering cheap, efficient travel regularly throughout the day.
The Great North Run attracts over 57,000 runners, due to the popularity of the much loved event and the sheer amount of crowds it attracts to help provide moral support. To meet everyone’s travelling needs, the company is offering the extra express bus Service 553 between the start in Newcastle City Centre and finish line in South Shields, and the 552 service from the finish line and South Shields Ferry or Metro.
With its frequent express 552 and 553 services, Stagecoach North East provides a quick and cost effective way for people to travel throughout the day and enjoy the festivities, or to help the local community continue their normal weekend routine.
Running from around 7am until 5pm on 9 September, Service 553 provides the main direct express link to Newcastle City Centre, with journeys taking only 30 minutes for just £3.50 per single journey. Before 08:15, there’s also a frequent Service 553 from Frenchman’s Bay.
The 552 service offers a shuttle bus from around 9am until 4.30pm on 9 September between South Shields Ferry, the Metro station and Bents Park Road near the end of the race, to enable visitors to watch the runners cross the finish line and get back home after the race.
Alternatively, customers can travel on all Stagecoach buses throughout Tyne and Wear, including special Great North Run services, with the dayrider PLUS ticket for £4.20, providing unlimited travel.
Racegoers and supporters also don’t need to worry about carrying money for bus travel, as Stagecoach North East will be selling Tyne and Wear dayrider PLUS ticket wristbands from a Stagecoach stand at the Barilla Pasta Party on Saturday 8 September at the Gateshead Quayside from 9.30am until 5.30pm.
The wristbands are valid for travel on all Stagecoach services in Newcastle, South Shields and Sunderland for Sunday 9 September. Paper and smart tickets can still be purchased from drivers.
Steve Walker, Managing Director, Stagecoach North East, said: “As in previous years, due to road closures and restricted parking, traffic will be extremely busy with peaks throughout the day. Therefore we recognise that it is important to get people from start to finish as efficiently as possible.
“The Great North Run is such an integral part of the North East’s heritage and a real highlight in the region’s calendar. As a dedicated local operator we want to help reduce travel pressures and hopefully make it a lot easier for people knowing the buses will be running every few minutes. We wish the best of luck to everyone taking part, including our own Stagecoach competitors, and supporting the runners throughout the route and across the line.”
For more information or to download timetables, please visit the Stagecoach North East website – https://www.stagecoachbus.com. For the very latest information on road closures and revision to bus timetables, follow us on Twitter: @stagecoachne
For further information about Stagecoach North East please visit www.stagecoachbus.com