Bus operator Go North East is introducing a flat-rate £1 fare in the city – the first of its kind in the North East.
The Pound2Go ticket will run for a trial period initially, but company bosses believe it could become a permanent fixture.
"The new £1 ticket offers great value for customers and will make travelling on our buses even easier," said Go North East commercial director Martin Harris.
"One fare for all means there is no confusion over prices and will make journeys swifter.
"Simple fares like this have worked successfully in other cities and we want to replicate that success here in Sunderland.
"Pound2Go will run for a trial period initially but, if it is successful, we will continue it in the long term."
In addition to the new Pound2Go ticket, Go North East is also introducing a new Go'n'Save day ticket for Sunderland. For a flat rate of £2.80 – £1.30 less than previously – travellers will be ale to make as many journeys on the company's buses as they want in one day.
Both the Pound2Go and Go'n'Save tickets cover an area bounded by the city's northern and southern borders and the A19 to the west.
Go North East is also planning to run a series of special travel offers for families, young people and regular commuters throughout the summer.
Information on the new tickets is available by calling 0845 60 60 260 or by visiting www.simplygo.com.
lWearside has escaped a series of bus route cuts announced today by public transport executive Nexus.
Ten routes across Gateshead, Newcastle, and North and South Tyneside are being slashed from tomorrow as Nexus bids to balance its books.
But Nexus confirmed in a statement today that no routes serving Sunderland are to be cut.