TT2, the operators of the Tyne Tunnels, is launching a pay later system to help protect staff and customers against the spread of Covid-19.
The company is withdrawing the current credit or debit card payment option, instead providing an invoice to be paid by midnight the following day.
Customers who do not have a pre-pay account or cash for the toll will press a pay later button and receive an automatically generated invoice.
The move is designed to reduce close contact between customers and staff, as well as being part of plans to make journeys through the tunnels quicker and easier for customers.
Chief executive Phil Smith said: “At the Tyne Tunnels, we take the health and safety of our staff and customers extremely seriously. The team have done incredibly well so far to ensure that, as far as we could, social distancing measures were met but this was difficult when customers need assistance.
“Credit and debit card are the slowest way to pay at the tolls and we hope that the new pay later system will speed up everyone’s journey in addition to supporting social distancing. This will also help customers when the lockdown is lifted and traffic levels return back to normal.”
Originally published in InsiderMedia