What is txt2go?

txt2go is an easy, fast and secure way to buy bus tickets using your mobile phone.  It’s the first service in the UK to provide local bus tickets using mobile technology.

You and your family need never carry cash for bus journeys, meaning you can make those spontaneous trips!  The tickets are valid anywhere on the Go North East network*, so they offer great value for money and flexibility.

*except on our Night bus services which have an ‘N’ prefix.

Why txt2go?

Great For Parents
We all know children wouldn’t be without their mobile phones, yet mysteriously they often misplace their bus fares or lose bus tickets!  Parents will be pleased to know that when that happens, a simple text message will save the day.  You can create an account for yourself and add up to 5 family members for that added peace of mind.

Great for under 16s
You can use you under 16, Durham IIC or Get Around ID card to grab a great deal on bus fares.  Travel all day for just £2, so if you’ve got a mobile, you’ve got the freedom! 

Great for small businesses
Do you or your staff use cars and taxis to travel to appointments?  Why not save time and money reimbursing taxi fares and fuel expenses by registering your employees on a txt2go account?  It’s also a great way for your company to help the environment. 

How does txt2go work?

Once you have registered and set up an account, you send a request for a bus ticket by text to 60060, and you will receive a reply containing a WAP link to your ticket.  Simply select this link on your mobile and the ticket is automatically downloaded. 

How do I get started?
It’s really simple to set up an account by going to www.simplygo.com and clicking on the txt2go logo.  You’ll be asked for your details and mobile phone number, and to select a password and the answers to some security questions for added safety.  When you register, simply save your credit or debit card details securely to start using the service.  We’ll check your card details by automatically taking £10 from your card which you can use as txt2go credit straight away.  After that, it’s up to you how much you top up and how!

How can I top up?
To make txt2go convenient for as many people as possible, we offer 3 different ways of topping up.

Web top up
Simply log into your online account, click ‘account maintenance’ and select ‘top up options’.  We’ll use the card you registered when you created your account, or you can change the registered card at any time.

Mobile top up
If you need credit on the go, you can top up from your mobile phone using the card registered on your account.  Just text: ‘BUS topup’ and the amount in whole pounds to 60060.  For example, to top up by £10 you’d text ‘BUS topup 10’

Auto top up
With this option you don’t even have to remember to top up!  If you try to buy a ticket but there’s not enough money on your account, £10 will automatically be added from your registered card.  You’ll be able to purchase the ticket just as you wanted to, and we’ll drop you a text to let you know we’ve topped up your account.  You’ll find the auto top up check box in the ‘preferences’ section of ‘account maintenance’.

How do I buy a ticket?
Buying a ticket couldn’t be simpler.  The ticket options are easy to understand as there are just four ticket types.

The text for adults and under 16s is the same: text ‘BUS SINGLE’ or ‘BUS DAY’ to 60060.  We’ll know which ticket you need because we take your date of birth when you register.  

Single tickets are valid for 90 minutes, and the all day tickets are valid until midnight on the day of purchase.  Your ticket will be sent to your mobile within minutes.  Simply open the text from 60060, select the WAP link in the text and your ticket will appear on your phone.  Some phones might ask you to save the ticket in your pictures folder.

How do I use my txt2go ticket?

Once you’ve downloaded the ticket, you’re ready to travel.  Make sure the ticket is on the screen and hold your phone up to the driver to show the ticket.  The driver checks the date, the time and the security code.  You don’t need to give your phone to the driver at any point.

Is there anything else I need to do?
You should make sure that your battery is topped up enough to last for your whole journey, or the whole day if you are planning to use your ticket all day. 
This is because if you can’t show the ticket on your phone, the driver will have to charge you the normal fare for that journey.

Extra Features

There are extra features you can add to your account, such as e-mail or text notifications, suspending your account and adding family members to your account – you’ll be given these options when you register, or you can change them at any time by logging on to your account online.

Security

Flexibility

For more information contact our Customer Services Team

0845 60 60 260
lines open 0800 - 1800
email: customerservices@gonortheast.co.uk