A spat has broken out after Stagecoach bosses warned Great North Run public transport arrangements could be a "disaster".
The company hit out at plans to close the new £21m South Shields interchange to buses, reserving it solely for Metro passengers.
Tens of thousands of people will be looking for a way home from the race on September 8 on what is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year on the region's transport network.
Steve Walker, Stagecoach North East's managing director, went public to criticise the plans, saying there will be more disruption than usual as a result and said the firm had considered cancelling all services.
He added: "...the way they're talking about Metro passengers gives me some health and safety concerns - we're expecting local services will be a disaster on that day."
Rows of this kind are usually kept under wraps but the Great North Run spat has spilled out into the open.
The company which organises the world-famous race and Nexus have both gone public to hit back against the criticism from the Stagecoach boss.
Nexus' Huw Lewis said: "Public safety is our top priority on the day of the Great North Run.
"We are putting a detailed event plan in place that has been agreed by the local authority, the Great Run Company and the bus operators.
"Tens of thousands of people will flood through South Shields on Metro, with spectators on their way to the finish and runners heading home overlapping each other for a large part of the afternoon.
"The new transport interchange is designed with the run in mind, but it is common sense we build up use of the new interchange for the Great North Run, by opening for Metro this year and then planning to do so for buses in future years."
A Great Run Company spokesperson said: "We have worked with Nexus and South Tyneside Council since 2018 to understand and manage the changes that the new interchange will bring.
"Although buses, the ferry, private coaching and car transport all play a significant part in moving runners and spectators from the finish area, the Metro is the single biggest mover of people on the day of the Great North Run.
"With the station opening less than a month before the event, Metro feel it would be sensible to operate trains only from the new transport interchange on such a busy day.
"We met with Metro, listened to those views and understand and share their perspective."
