Tyne Pass Scheme at the Tyne Tunnels

Tyne Pass is the biggest development at the tunnels since the construction of the second tunnel. This scheme has created new, skilled and well-paid local jobs based at TT2’s offices in Howdon. Tyne Pass is a barrierless open-road tolling scheme, so it has involved the removal of the former toll booths meaning drivers are no longer required to stop or slow down to pay for passage.

All customers can now pay their toll in advance of their journey or after their journey by midnight of the next day.

Customers can pay in a variety of ways including:

• online
• by phone
• at a PayPoint terminal in numerous retail outlets
• by pre-paid account (over 80% of journeys are by pre-paid account holders which includes a 10% discount per journey)

The phone and PayPoint options allow those who are not proficient on digital devices to pay by other means. Around 4% of drivers are using these payment options currently. There is also a dedicated contact centre open seven days a week for drivers to call with any queries about the system should they need support or guidance.

Signage at the tunnels and an extensive marketing campaign throughout the region is ongoing, informing drivers of the payment timeframe and ways to pay for their journey. 

The changes made by TT2 represent a large investment in the region, with benefits for customers such as:

• shorter journey times
• a 10% saving when pre-paying for journeys
• less hassle associated with finding change
• more means of payment: Over the phone, with cash at a Paypoint, online via website or app and prepaid
• improved air quality-50,000 tonnes of carbon emissions saved annually
• reduced congestion along this key stretch of the A19, helping serve communities on both sides of the Tyne
• smoother journeys for blue badge holders, who now no longer need to wait to be allowed through by control room staff to make use of their exemption