THOUSANDS of revellers planning to celebrate New Year's Eve in the region's party capital will be able to travel free.
The offer is part of a sponsorship deal struck by bosses of the Tyne and Wear Metro service with energy supplier npower.
An estimated 65,000 people in Newcastle and Gateshead can travel around the city free during a three-hour period, starting at 10.30pm on December 31 and running until 1.45am on New Year's Day.
The offer will cover the whole of the Metro line, from Newcastle Airport through to Sunderland and South Hylton.
John Tarpey, of npower, said: "Providing free travel on the biggest party night of the year is our way of saying thank you to our customers and a Happy New Year to everyone in Newcastle and Gateshead."
Mike Parker, director general of Metro company Nexus, said: "We are delighted that npower are getting on board and sponsoring what we know will be a great party night for Tyne and Wear.
"Our partnership with npower allows the Metro service to run until the early hours of New Year's Day and ensures that the large number of people celebrating New Year on the Quayside can get home safely."
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