‌But there has been continuing frustration in the North East at a lack of an equivalent option for our region’s public transport. ‌But councillors were told on Tuesday that the improved “Pop 2.0” will now launch in 2026. The Pop card is available in a physical form and digitally on Android phones, but still remains incompatible with Apple iPhones almost five years after its launch on the rival Google Wallet platform. There have long been questions too about when contactless bank card payments could be brought in to tap in and out of the North East’s public transport network, rather than people having to use a Pop card. Article continues below"It perhaps requires reform of the bus system, so that we are more TfL-like.