News - Tyne and wear metro
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The Northumberland Line, bringing rail services back between the South East of the county and central Newcastle, will be open from Summer 2024. With a journey time between Ashington and central Newcastle of around 35 minutes, the line will improve accessibility to employment, training and leisure for residents in south east Northumberland, as well as opening up new opportunities for education and travel. To allow for services to start at the earliest possible opportunity, a phased approach is confirmed for opening with Ashington, Newsham and Seaton Delaval open from this summer. However, a great deal of work remains to be completed, such as the commissioning of the new signalling system over the coming months ,and continued good progress this Winter and Spring is critical to getting services running again. Work is ongoing to get the other planned stations opened as quickly as possible, although the exact dates are still to be finalised.
(Permalink) Northumberland Line Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A Northumberland councillors call for rapid express trains to popular Tyne and Wear Metro destinations has been dismissed by the networks operator.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A series of special tests have been taking place to ensure that the Tyne and Wear Metros new trains perform correctly at their full customer capacity. The crush laden testing checks that the new trains work as they should do when the carriage is full. It has involved one of the new Stadler trains being loaded with 39 tonnes of ballast to simulate a maximum customer loading. Containers of sand were used to replicate the weight of a full carriage before the train was put through its paces on a series runs across the Metro network during the night.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Our Metro Flow project to upgrade the Tyne and Wear Metro route to South Shields has won another major rail industry award. The £104m project has scooped outstanding engineering achievement at the Global Light Rail Awards in London.
(Permalink) Global Light Rail Awards Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A campaign targeting anti-social behaviour on Tyne and Wear Metro has been launched today, promoting the roll out of a new system for customers to report issues more quickly by sending a discreet text message. The campaign titled not big, not clever, not here is a response to feedback from customers who want to see more done to improve security on the network.
(Permalink) Anti-social behaviour Tyne and Wear Metro |
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We are delighted to have achieved the Autism Friendly Award from the National Autistic Society. Training for frontline employees, detailed guides to support journeys, signage improvements and easily accessible online information are just some of the actions we have taken to become autism friendly across Metro, ferry and bus operations.
(Permalink) Autism Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A multi-million pound signalling control suite has been switched on for the first time at Gosforth Metro depot as part of the countdown to the new fleet entering service for customers. The newly built facility will be used by Stadler to safely manage Metro train movements between the depot and the mainline, replacing an ageing control room in the old depot which had technology dating back to the 1980s.
(Permalink) Gosforth Depot Gosforth Sheds Signalling Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Colourful stained glass art works which have adorned a North Tyneside Metro station for 40 years are to be restored to their former glory. The Beach & Shipyards installation, which bookends the historic canopy at Monkseaton Metro station with iconic designs in stained glass, is to be painstakingly cleaned and repaired at Sunderland's National Glass Centre. And a former pupil of the artist who first created it will be undertaking the restoration work. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said the project formed part of a £400,000 scheme to refurbish the gable ends of the station canopy, which dates back to 1915, preserving the canopy and the stained-glass windows for many years to come. Artist Mike Davis incorporated stained glass into each end of Monkseaton's glazed canopy in 1983.
(Permalink) Monkseaton Tyne and Wear Metro  Monkseaton: View over Monkseaton station looking south east from Front Street road bridge on 10 July 2004. A Tyne & Wear Metro train is at platform 2 with a service for St James via the coast. |
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Metro drivers have given a big thumbs up to the new Stadler Metro trains after the first few test runs out on the network. The new trains have now completed a series of night-time tests as part of the detailed preparations to get them ready for entering service at the end of the year a process that will carry on throughout the coming weeks and months. Metro drivers Jon Doughty and Chris Mongan were there for the first test between South Gosforth and Monkseaton on 10 May. And they were left amazed by the quality and performance of the Stadler Class 555 Metro train, likening the switch from the old fleet to the new as akin to going from a classic car to a super car. The Stadler Class 555 Metro train, the first of 46 that Nexus has on order, is undergoing a period of testing and driver training before entering service for customers.
(Permalink) Class 555 Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro is showcasing a new artwork celebrating the diversity and cultural heritage of Shields Road in Byker. The large mural, which is on display at in the ticket concourse at Byker Metro station, provides a positive snapshot of everyday life in the local area. Scores of individual photos, words, and slogans help to make up the eye-catching display.
(Permalink) Byker Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Security will be deployed on the majority of trains on the Tyne and Wear Metro to provide customer reassurance in the evenings and tackle anti-social behaviour where it arises. It will take the security presence on the Metro network to its highest ever level, with security personnel on board almost every single service from 19:00 every day.
(Permalink) Anti-social behaviour Security personnel Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Whitley Bay Metro stations historic canopy is to be restored to its former glory in a £5.3m restoration project. The Grade II listed structure, which dates back to the Edwardian era, will undergo a major programme of restoration work which will see the glazing replaced and the steel work refurbished.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro Whitley Bay  Whitley Bay: A St James bound Tyne and Wear Metro service leaves platform 2 at Whitley Bay station in July 2004 and heads south east towards Cullercoats. Note the canopy and scrollwork. |
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The new Stadler Metro train has successfully completed its first test run on the network as part of the detailed preparations to get it ready for entering service at the end of the year.
(Permalink) Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A major programme of deep cleaning and interior repair works are being undertaken on the current Tyne and Wear Metro fleet to improve the customer experience during the transition to the new trains. Stadler has commissioned the works on behalf of Metro operator Nexus and are in addition to its contractual obligations to maintain the current train fleet. The work, which will focus entirely on the 43 year-old rolling stock, will see all of the carriage floors cleaned, resealed, and then polished.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Nexus and Stadler moved one stage closer to bringing new trains into Tyne and Wear Metro service on March 17.
(Permalink) Class 555 Nexus Stadler Rail Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Whitley Bay Metro station has re-opened after emergency repairs to the canopy were completed. The station, a Grade II Listed structure, was back open for customers when Metro services began today, Monday 27 March. Nexus, Metros operator, needed to carry out repairs to the stations historic canopy after it was damaged during Storm Otto in February. Special netting has been installed beneath the glass panels, ahead of a £5.3m refurbishment project this summer.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro Whitley Bay  Whitley Bay: On 26 March 2019 a South Shields (therefore anti-clockwise) service calls at Whitley Bay on the coast loop. Accessible seaside for Geordies, but it's a bit chilly for that today. Whitley Bay: A St James bound Tyne and Wear Metro service leaves platform 2 at Whitley Bay station in July 2004 and heads south east towards Cullercoats. Note the canopy and scrollwork. |
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A survey is being carried out on the bed of the River Tyne as part of the preparations to create a new Shields Ferry landing at the regenerated North Shields Fish Quay.
(Permalink) Shields Ferry Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Two weekend Metro line closures are happening in January and February to allow for further major works on the new £70m Gosforth Metro depot as it prepares to welcome the new trains.
(Permalink) Gosforth Depot Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Busking has returned to the Tyne and Wear Metro more than two years after it was banned due to Covid-19 restrictions. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said it is now safe for buskers to perform at its stations - and it was delighted to welcome them back after an enforced hiatus which stretches back to March 2020 when lockdown began.
(Permalink) Busking COVID-19 Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Special signage on the public transport network is being used to direct people to warm hubs across Tyne and Wear. The signs are displayed on posters and community noticeboards at bus and Metro stations in the format of QR codes. When they are scanned with a smartphone they direct people to their nearest place to keep warm.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro Warm hubs |
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The Metro line between Pelaw and South Shields has re-opened following the completion of the £104m Metro Flow project. The first Metro trains were operated along the line, which has been closed for 13 weeks to allow for Metros biggest ever improvement scheme, from the scheduled start of timetabled services this morning. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, thanked the customers for their patience during the closure, which was extended by ten days to complete overhead line and signal works.
(Permalink) Metro Flow Pelaw South Shields Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Nexus said today that the Metro Flow line closure between Pelaw and South Shields will be extended by up to one week to allow contractors to complete the final stretch of overhead power lines and test safety signals across the 4.6km of route. A frequent replacement bus service will continue to operate to all stations until the £104m project to convert a freight line for Metro trains, and improve reliability across the system, is complete.
(Permalink) Pelaw South Shields Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Stadler has started moving its workforce into the new Gosforth Metro depot as the £70m facility nears completion. The depot, which will be home to the new Tyne and Wear Metro train fleet, is almost ready to become operational, with the finishing touches being put to the building. It will be a modern new facility for Stadler staff, one that will transform Metro train care, heralding a bright future for the network.
(Permalink) Gosforth Depot Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The first steps have been taken with a business case to support an extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington. Transport North East has published the first steps of the business case, for approval by the North East Joint Transport Committee (JTC), for a new Metro connection from Pelaw to South Hylton, via Washington, with new stations proposed in Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South. The business case forecasts that the new Washington Metro Loop will cost 745m to deliver, which includes additional new Metro trains to support extra services on the line. The proposed new line forms part of a wider project to re-open the Leamside Line in full, with work already underway with the development of the new Ferryhill station in County Durham.
(Permalink) Leamside Line Pelaw South Hylton Tyne and Wear Metro Washington  South Hylton: Tyne and Wear Metro train at the South Hylton terminus on 18 November.  Washington South Junction: 37078+37067 arriving off the Stanhope and Tyne route at Washington South Junction in the late 1970s with a train of iron ore empties from Consett. The train will reverse in Washington sidings before h ...  Washington: The Leamside line in July 2009, here viewed from a foot crossing, just seems to need a bit of pruning. Well, maybe a second track. View looks East. |
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Tyne and Wear Metro customers are getting a new opportunity to shape the future of the service. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has teamed up with Newcastle University's Open Lab to give people a say on all aspects of life on Metro - fares, timetables, ticketing options, accessibility, and security. It builds on the award-winning public consultation carried out in 2020 to hone the design of the new Metro train fleet.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Young people who have recently left local authority care in Newcastle and Gateshead are to be offered free travel on the local bus and Metro network to help give them the best start to adult life. The pilot scheme, the first of its kind in the country, is a partnership between Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council, Nexus and bus operators, with funding from the NHS's North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.
(Permalink) Ticketing Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The first new Tyne and Wear Metro train has been captured on video being put through its paces at the Stadler test track in Switzerland. The new train, one of the first in the new £362m Metro fleet to be completed, can be seen running along a special test track.
(Permalink) Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The biggest major line closure ever seen on the Tyne and Wear Metro gets underway next week to allow for a £104m track doubling project to be carried out in South Tyneside. The Metro Flow project will see three sections of single track pinch points on the Metro network - doubled during the closure. When completed it will improve reliability across the whole of Metro and allow Nexus to increase the frequency of trains in the future. Metro Flow requires a 12-week major line closure between Pelaw and South Shields, 12 September to 3 December. During that time customers will be provided with frequent replacement bus services.
(Permalink) Pelaw South Shields Track doubling Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The first new Tyne and Wear Metro trains have been completed by Stadler and are about to enter a crucial period of testing. Nexus, the public body which owns and operates Metro, said that first two new trains were now ready to roll off the production line in Switzerland. They will now go through a rigorous process of what is known as dynamic and static testing. The trains will then be sent to a larger test track in the Czech Republic to be put through their paces, and this is when some of the Metro drivers will get their first chance to drive one. New photos from the Stadler factory show the new Metro trains show the modern new carriage interior, with all of the new seats and handrails installed, complete with the iconic Metro logo. The first new train is set to arrive in North East England before the end of the year.
(Permalink) Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A busy Metro line in Newcastle and North Tyneside is to close for four days next week to allow for the emergency renewal of overhead wires that were damaged by the recent heatwaves. The line between South Gosforth and Shiremoor will be shut from Tuesday 30 August to Friday 2 September.
(Permalink) Heatwave Overhead wires Shiremoor South Gosforth Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro's oldest ever driver has taken a well-earned retirement aged 75, after clocking up more than 40 years of service and carrying millions of passengers on his trains. Richard Neesham has bid an emotional farewell to a job which became a life-long career spanning more than four decades.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Railway workers on the national rail network are going on a one-day strike over pay and jobs.The strike, which Nexus employees are not part of, are due to take place on Thursday 18 August and Saturday 20 August. Further dates may follow. How will the strike affect Metro? Tyne and Wear Metro employees are not taking industrial action, but there will be an impact on Metro services operating between Pelaw and South Hylton because this stretch of line is part of the national rail network which is owned and managed by Network Rail. If Network Rail does not have enough people at work to operate signals then train services cannot run.
(Permalink) RMT Strike Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A new £3m Metro bridge has been successfully installed in North Tyneside. The bridge, which will carry Metro services over Tanners Bank in North Shields, was carefully lowered into place using a giant crane on Wednesday night, July 20.
(Permalink) Bridge replacement Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metros electricity bills are set to jump by millions of pounds, as the struggling rail network grapples with the cost of living crisis.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A state-of-the-art simulator will offer Metro drivers a fully immersive training experience as they countdown to the new trains arriving. The fully sized replica of the new Metro train cab has been installed at the Nexus Learning Centre in South Shields. It uses CGI to give a realistic and interactive train driving experience.
(Permalink) Driver training Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro has become England's first rail network to have tactile paving on every platform edge, delivering a major accessibility upgrade for blind and partially sighted people.
(Permalink) Tactile Paving Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus had planned £57m of renewal works between 2023 and 2025, but has only been given £23.8m from the Department for Transport
(Permalink) Nexus Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A former Metro boss has spoken of his pride at expanding the network to Sunderland, and has recounted the memorable day when the Queen visited Wearside to officially open the new line. Mike Parker, who was the Director General of Nexus for 12 years from 1994 to 2006, oversaw the £100m extension of the network to Sunderland, which was opened by Her Majesty in May 2002. Sunderlands Metro line is this week marking its 20th anniversary, having carried 138 million customer journeys over the last two decades.
(Permalink) Sunderland Tyne and Wear Metro  Sunderland: The last time I visited Sunderland station it was in the open, albeit entirely surrounded by buildings. That was a long time ago though and the Metro had not reached it then. The much less frequent No ... |
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Four artists have been commissioned to create major works for Tyne and Wear Metros new train fleet interior.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A new exhibition which celebrates the history of the Tyne and Wear Metro got underway this week. The event, called Metro Memories, is being held at The Common Room on Westgate Road in Newcastle, 19 April 7 May, 10am-4pm. The exhibition will explore what Metro means to the people and to the history of our region. It will feature photographs, film, and interviews with key decision-makers including politicians and director generals, as well as interviews with engineers, designers and many now retired staff who helped make the project become a reality in the late 1970s. The Metro Memories exhibition and associated events are free for all to attend, however visitors must book a free ticket in advance.
(Permalink) Metro Memories Exhibition Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro is to receive a further £7.3m from the Government to support its services while customer numbers continue to recover. The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed the funding for light rail and bus operators today, Monday 4 April. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said that the extra financial support was welcome amid a gradual recovery in the number of customers journeys on the Metro network. The funding will be used to cover Metros running costs through to October while fare revenue continues to be affected by the impact of Covid-19.
(Permalink) Department for Transport Nexus Tyne and Wear Metro  Newcastle Airport: A Tyne & Wear Metro service recently arrived at Newcastle Airport on 10 May 2006. The train is already preparing to depart on its next journey destined for Sunderland's large Park Lane bus Interchange ... Sunderland: The last time I visited Sunderland station it was in the open, albeit entirely surrounded by buildings. That was a long time ago though and the Metro had not reached it then. The much less frequent No ...  North Shields: Refurbished and re-liveried T&W Metro set 4075 calls at North Shields on 12 June. |
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A new campaign is encouraging Metro customers to switch from paper tickets to Pop Pay As You Go in order to save money on the cost of travel.Customers who make the switch to Pop will not see an increase this year - a saving of 85p per journey by going smart. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has frozen the price of adult journeys which are made by Pop Pay As You Go. Metro customers need not pay more for the cost of their travel until at least April 2023 by switching to a Pop Pay As You Go product.
(Permalink) Pop Pay As You Go Ticketing Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro's Sunderland line is celebrating its 20th anniversary, having carried 138 million customer journeys since it first opened to the public two decades ago. Nexus, which owns and manages Metro, said the line was a huge success story for Sunderland, and one which has provided a vital strategic link into the heart of the city. The £100m line was opened on 31 March 2002. It was then officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen in a ceremony at Park Lane Interchange on May 7 that same year.
(Permalink) Sunderland Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The creation of a modern and convenient transport hub in North Shields has taken a major step forward. Set to bring public transport together into one central place and attract more people to the town centre, North Tyneside Councils proposed transport hub will be located on the site of the former Co-op building on Bedford Street. The hub will provide a modern and convenient, high-quality facility bringing all bus services in the town together and closer to the Metro, taxis and links to cycling infrastructure making it easier for people to choose cleaner, greener forms of travel.
(Permalink) North Shields Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Metro customers can now get Pay As You Go travel on Android smartphones, thanks to a collaboration between Google Pay and Nexus, the public body which operates the system. People are now able to load a Pop card into Google Pay on their smartphone, and then use it to touch in and out of the Metro system, in the same way that they use a Pop card. Nexus said todays launch of Pop Pay As You Go on Android would transform how people access the Metro network, and enjoy the savings that the Pay As You Go product offers.
(Permalink) App Pay As You Go Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Evening services on the Shields Ferry are to resume from Monday 7 March. Nexus, the public body which owns and operates the cross-Tyne service, said that it was in the process of training new recruits to plug a gap in its roster and it will restore a full timetable well ahead of the busy spring and summer seasons.
(Permalink) Shields Ferry Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A new vision of the future of the North Easts rail and Metro network has been unveiled.
(Permalink) North East England Northumberland Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro has featured in Michael Portillo's latest TV series, Great Coastal Railway Journeys. Portillo, who has become renowned for his railway travel programmes on the BBC, took a journey on Metro during the episode that was broadcast last night, Monday 7 February. He travelled from Central Station in Newcastle up to Tynemouth on the North Tyneside coast. During his journey Portillo marvelled at Metros 60 stations and 40 years of operations, and he spoke fondly of the frontal view of the track afforded to him from the front passenger seats on the Metro train. At Tynemouth station Portillo explained to viewers how the station was originally built in 1882 for the North Eastern Railway and was switched to serve Metro trains in the 1980s. He described the stations Victorian architecture as breath taking. He said: Tynemouth has one of the finest glass roofs in Britain and recently it has been superbly restored and it is a gem. Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: We were delighted to welcome Michael Portillo on Metro for his latest television series. He really showcased how important the Metro is to the communities that we serve, and he reflected brilliantly on our proud railway heritage in North East England. A further trip on Metro from South Shields to Central is set to appear later in the series, along with a Tyne crossing on the Shields Ferry. All of the filming took place in August 2021.
(Permalink) Great Coastal Railway Journeys Michael Portillo Tyne and Wear Metro Tynemouth  Tynemouth: View over the concourse towards the abandoned bays at the south end of Tynemouth station in August 2010. See image [[19724]] for a similar view nearly thirty years earlier. While some general improvem ...  Tynemouth: The refurbished concourse and roof canopies at the south end of Tynemouth station in March 2012. A credit to the 'Friends of Tynemouth Station' and other like-minded people who have worked hard over m ... |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro has been temporarily closed system-wide due to the impact of Storm Malik. Nexus, Metros operator, said services would remain suspended until the high winds drop and staff can carry out repairs to damaged equipment at multiple locations.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Metro customers should continue to wear face coverings when travelling on the system, unless they are exempt. While the mandatory requirement to wear face coverings ended from today, Thursday 27 January, the Governments updated advice advises people to continue wearing masks in busy spaces, including on public transport.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The project involves upgrading an existing freight line in South Tyneside to add extra 24,000 passenger journeys per day.
(Permalink) Bede Hebburn Jarrow Metro Flow Pelaw Tyne and Wear Metro  Bede: Bede is the nearest station to the ruins of Jarrow Monastery, associated of course with the 'Venomous Bead', as he's called in 1066 and All That. It is also the station for the Barbour factory ... |
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Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Metro operator, has announced a major new arts commission for the busy systems £362m new train fleet. The commission, grant-funded by Arts Council England, will for the first time in the world see artists selected to create large-scale new works for the interiors of 46 new trains, due to enter service from next year. Nexus has launched an open call for established artists to put themselves forward for the opportunity.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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With further expansion and investment in the Tyne and Wear Metro service under discussion, passengers have had their say on where the network should be extended to.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Ambitious plans for a new transport hub with town square in North Shields and walkway linking the town centre to the Fish Quay have been submitted. The proposals are part of North Tyneside Councils Ambition for North Shields and the Fish Quay Masterplan, aimed at breathing new life into the town centre and riverside and providing the right environment to support businesses, leisure users and retail. Community groups, residents and businesses have all been asked for their views to help refine the designs ahead of the plans officially being lodged. The proposed transport hub will provide a modern and convenient, high-quality facility bringing all bus services in the town together and closer to Metro, taxis and links to cycling infrastructure making it easier for people to choose cleaner, greener forms of travel.
(Permalink) North Shields Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metros iconic station cubes have had a festive makeover as part of the countdown to Christmas. The familiar yellow and black cubes in the centres of Sunderland and Newcastle. a unique part of everyday life in North East England have been given an added touch of Christmas sparkle.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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E-scooters are to be banned from the Tyne and Wear Metro and Shields Ferry from Monday, 13 December, operator Nexus announced today. The ban is being introduced following incidents in the London area, which has led Transport for London to review e-scooter use and introduce a similar restriction. There have been a number of incidents of privately-owned e-scooters and e-unicycles catching fire on public transport services and stations in London. A review by Transport for London found that the incidents that occurred were caused by defective lithium-ion batteries which ruptured without warning. This led to fires that caused toxic smoke to be released, which could be a significant risk in enclosed areas. Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use in public spaces but are widely available for purchase.
(Permalink) E-scooters Shields Ferry Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Stadler has unveiled the first bodyshell for the Tyne and Wear Metros new £362m train fleet, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing manufacturing process. The new Metro trains are currently being built at Stadlers factory in Switzerland. The completion of the first bodyshell paves the way for the seats and other internal features to be installed.
(Permalink) Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Pioneering graphic designer Margaret Calvert - the woman who created the Tyne and Wear Metros famous yellow logo has paid her first visit to the network 40 years on from penning its iconic typeface. Calvert, a designer who did much to shape the visual identity of modern Britain, took the opportunity to see her work on the Metro system while she was in the region to collect an honorary degree from the University of Sunderland.
(Permalink) Margaret Calvert Tyne and Wear Metro  Tynemouth: View towards Newcastle over the disused bays at the 1882 NER station at Tynemouth in July 1981 with signage relating to Tyne and Wear PTE Metro services in the foreground. |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its extension to Newcastle Airport, a line which has carried 7.5 million customers over the last three decades. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said the airport line was one of the more important projects in the history of the Metro service. The £12m scheme, opened on November 17, 1991, provides one of the fastest airport to city centre transfers in the country.
(Permalink) Newcastle Airport Tyne and Wear Metro Newcastle Airport: A Tyne & Wear Metro service recently arrived at Newcastle Airport on 10 May 2006. The train is already preparing to depart on its next journey destined for Sunderland's large Park Lane bus Interchange ...  Newcastle Airport: Detail of Tyne & Wear Metro car 4027 on 23 October see image [[45085]].  Newcastle Airport: Metro unit 4027 in North Eastern Railway livery at Newcastle Airport on 23 October. |
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The Royal opening of Metro was part of a three-week transport festival on Tyneside, designed to encourage people to try the new Metro system. There was a huge fireworks display, a transport treasure trail, competitions - including one with a first prize of a Spanish holiday - a balloon race, a public transport cavalcade and exhibition, specially commissioned souvenirs, and cheap fares.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The first sections of new sidings have been completed at Gosforth Metro depot as part of the ongoing £70m project to completely rebuild it.
A new stabling area has been created on the site, and the first test trains have been successfully run in. These tracks will be used to serve the new depot and park the new trains when they start to arrive in 2023. (Permalink) Gosforth Depot Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Local communities are getting a chance to give an old Tyne and Wear Metro train a new lease of life after its been taken out of service to make way for the new £362m fleet.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, is keen to hear creative and innovative ideas about how an old train could be transformed into a vibrant public asset. (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro is using drone technology to keep the network in tip top condition.
For the first time ever maintenance teams are taking to the skies using drones to monitor Metros 77 kilometres of infrastructure. The drone, which is a tiny unmanned aircraft, provides a live video-feed to an operator, who then uses special software, with more accuracy than the human eye, to identify any issues with the network. (Permalink) Drones Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Tyne and Wear Metro employees are celebrating winning an international award for their response to the pandemic, and efforts to welcome back customers as restrictions ease. Metro was named winner of the Best Customer Initiative at the prestigious Global Light Rail Awards in London, up against tram and urban transit systems from many countries.
(Permalink) Best Customer Initiative COVID-19 Global Light Rail Awards Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Nexus are working with Newcastle University on a project to reduce the carbon emissions of the Shields Ferry. The project, called CLEANFERRY, has received financial backing from the Department of Transport (DfT). Over £23m has been allocated to 55 initiatives to reduce emissions from the maritime sector across the UK. The Shields Ferry is dependent on fossil fuels and the project will see Newcastle University experts working with Nexus and engineering specialist Royston to help transition the ferry to run carbon free.
(Permalink) Green Nexus Shields Ferry Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Community leaders have welcomed a £100m track dualling scheme that will increase service frequency, reduce journey times, and improve reliability on the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The Metro Flow project will see an existing freight line upgraded and electrified in South Tyneside, making it capable of carrying Metro services, boosting the capacity for an extra 24,000 customer journeys every day. Three sections of single track will be dualled between Pelaw and Bede Metro stations from September 2022. (Permalink) Bede Doubling Pelaw Tyne and Wear Metro Bede: Bede is the nearest station to the ruins of Jarrow Monastery, associated of course with the 'Venomous Bead', as he's called in 1066 and All That. It is also the station for the Barbour factory ... |
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Watch: A sneak peek at the seats on the new Metro train fleet. The first samples of the seats that are to be installed in the new Tyne and Wear Metro train fleet have arrived in the region.
These include the linear-style seats and the extra tip seats that will feature on board all of the new Metro carriages, complete with the seat coverings which incorporate the iconic Metro M log. The first new Metro train is set to arrive for testing in next year and enter service in 2023. (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Nexus today confirmed an order for four additional trains for the new Tyne and Wear Metro fleet as manufacturing by Stadler has officially began.
The new order brings to 46 the number of trains Stadler will deliver as part of a £362m programme which will transform the journey experience for Metro customers. (Permalink) Nexus Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Anyone interested in finding out about the wide variety of job opportunities in our track, building and facilities, signalling and capital delivery teams is invited to a careers open day in Newcastle city centre on Tuesday 14 September. There'll be the chance to meet team members to get some vital career advice and about find out more about the skills that are needed to work in the rail industry. The event runs from 10am-3pm, at The Common Room, Neville Hall, Westgate Road, NE1 1SE (2 mins from Central Station). [See link for booking details. -RS]
(Permalink) Careers Tyne and Wear Metro |
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TV presenter Michael Portillo has taken a trip on the Tyne and Wear Metro and the Shields Ferry for his latest series of Great British Railway Journeys. Portillo, who has become renowned for his railway travel programmes on the BBC, took two journeys on the Metro and a Tyne crossing on the ferry from North Shields to South Shields. He was given permission to film in the ferry's wheelhouse with crew members Nathan Williamson and David Kirkhouse. His two trips on the Metro saw him travel from Central Station in Newcastle to Tynemouth on Friday 20 August, and from South Shields back to Newcastle on Saturday 21 August.
The new series is due to be broadcast in the Spring of 2022. (Permalink) BBC Michael Portillo Shields Ferry Tyne and Wear Metro North Shields: Refurbished and re-liveried T&W Metro set 4075 calls at North Shields on 12 June.  South Shields: The Metro terminus at South Shields, opened on 24 March 1984. The station is seen here looking west along the platform in July 2004. The train about to depart is the 13.32 to St James via the coast. S ... |
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A trip on Metro by a local poet has inspired a new display of thought-provoking verse on the platforms at Longbenton Metro station. Working in partnership with Royal Literary Fund Fellows at Newcastle and York Universities, Metro-operator Nexus is proud to support the display of four poems reflecting on the pandemic.
They have been unveiled at Longbenton; a busy commuter station used by more than a million customers every year. Poet Anna Woodford, from South Gosforth, came up with the initial idea. She said: I was on the Metro for the first time in a long time, feeling nervous but excited about some return to normality and thought that a lot of people were probably feeling the same ... (Permalink) Poetry Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro has secured a further £13.1m of Government funding to support its services through to April next year while customer numbers continue to recover from the impact of lockdown.
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed the new support package for light rail operators today, Friday 16 July. (Permalink) Department for Transport Government COVID Funding Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Metro customers must continue to wear face coverings when travelling on the system, unless they are exempt.
Wearing a face covering throughout your journey, on stations and trains, is a Condition of Carriage when using Metro unless exempt and customers may be refused travel if they do not. You should also wear face coverings when inside bus stations and interchanges or travelling on the Shields Ferry. (Permalink) COVID-19 Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Transformational plans to revamp Sunderlands central train station are full steam ahead, with a £26m boost that will give Sunderland the rail station it deserves.
(Permalink) Grand Central Network Rail Nexus Northern Rail Sunderland Sunderland City Council Tyne and Wear Metro  Sunderland: Proposed appearance of the upgraded Sunderland station. (Night-time view.)  Sunderland: Proposed appearance of the upgraded Sunderland station. (Daytime view.) |
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A new online shop selling Tyne and Wear Metro branded merchandise is now live.
Items for sale include 40th anniversary commemorative items and everything costs under £10. The range features tea towels with the full Metro route design on them, a metal tin complete with branded pen and pencils and a coaster in Metros iconic yellow colour. 2020 marked the 40th anniversary of Metro, and the merchandise range includes metal keyrings with the anniversary dates on them, and a pack of 10 high quality postcards, each featuring different images from the construction and opening of the Metro network. And following a number of requests from the public about purchasing the Metro branded face coverings which Nexus employees wear as part of their uniform, face coverings have been added to the range. (Permalink) Online shop Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Striking proposals for the southern entrance of Sunderland's central station were unveiled today, for a six-year programme to fully transform the citys arrival point.
Preparatory work on the first part of the ambitious project is expected to begin within days, kick-starting a programme of improvements that will deliver a beautiful new station for the city. Working in partnership with Network Rail, Nexus, Grand Central and Northern Rail, Sunderland City Council is driving this essential project, beginning with the demolition of the current south entrance, clearing the way for the construction of a statement building that will herald the start of the transformation into an integrated public transport network that matches the citys ambitions and meets future needs. (Permalink) Grand Central Network Rail Nexus Northern Rail Sunderland Sunderland City Council Tyne and Wear Metro Sunderland: The last time I visited Sunderland station it was in the open, albeit entirely surrounded by buildings. That was a long time ago though and the Metro had not reached it then. The much less frequent No ... |
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RMT to strike for pay justice on Tyne and Wear Metro in co-ordinated joint union action.
(Permalink) RMT Strike Strikes Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A local author has written a new book celebrating 40 years of the Tyne and Wear Metro, after being inspired by his late father who worked as an engineer on the project.
Colin Alexander, a published writer from North Tyneside, was motivated by the memory of his dad, Jack Alexander, a rolling stock engineer that played a key role in getting the Metro trains into service in August 1980. Colin spent 15 months writing and researching the book, which delves into the history of Metro over its 40 years of operations. He draws on the testimony of many former staff who there when the network first opened. Titled The Tyne and Wear Metro, it chronicles the development of the system from concept through to construction, opening, extension, and where it stands today, with a look ahead where it will be in the years to come. (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro  South Shields [NER]: A Cravens DMU waits under the overall roof at South Shields on 7 May 1981 with a return service to Newcastle Central. The old station closed 24 days later.  North Shields: The 1890 NER station at North Shields on 6 August 1980, just 5 days before the station was closed for refurbishment and electrification in connection with the Metro project. The new North Shiel ... |
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A new generation of advanced CCTV has been installed on Metro as part of a £4.2m revamp of security cameras on the network. The new cameras 740 in total have gone in at all 60 stations on the Metro system. They offer state-of-the-art picture quality which make it easier to pinpoint troublemakers and provide crystal clear footage to support police investigations.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Tyne Wear Metro operator, Nexus, has been fined £1.5 million today after pleading guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974., for failing to ensure the safety of staff.
(Permalink) Fine Nexus ORR Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Shields Ferry is to return to a full timetable following the latest stage in the Governments easing of lockdown.
(Permalink) COVID-19 Shields Ferry Tyne and Wear Metro |
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An ITV documentary which takes a look at everyday life on the Tyne and Wear Metro is to be screened again on national television.
Metro: A Rail Life Story is a four-part documentary series which gives a unique insight into day to day operations on the Metro system as it gears up to celebrate its 40th anniversary prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme, filmed in 2019 and first shown in early 2020, is getting a rerun on ITV1 over the next four weeks. Episode one is on tonight, Tuesday 6 April, at 11.40pm. (Permalink) Documentary ITV Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Shields Ferry service will resume from Sunday 21 March 2021 with the first timetabled sailing from South Shields to North Shields at 10:15am.
Nexus, the public body which owns operates the cross-Tyne service, halted the service in February as a safety precaution to allow further repairs to be completed on the north landing. (Permalink) Shields Ferry Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Metro drivers are getting to step on-board a full-size replica of their new trains that are due to start arriving next year.A detailed mock-up of the new Metro cab, which is fully fitted out, has been built to assist with workforce familiarisation “ a key part of the design process for the new £362m Metro fleet.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The £70m project to rebuild the Tyne and Wear Metro depot has delivered a welcome boost to a leading north east heritage railway. More than 20 tons of used track equipment from Nexus' Gosforth depot have been donated to the Tanfield Railway, which runs from Sunniside in Gateshead to East Tanfield in County Durham.
A raft of surplus materials, including sleepers and control equipment, were made available by VolkerFitzpatrickand their subcontractor, Trackwork, after works got underway on the depot site on January. The donated materials will help to secure the future of the Tanfield line, with its history that can be traced back to 1725. (Permalink) Tanfield Railway Trackwork Tyne and Wear Metro VolkerFitzpatrick |
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A new smartphone app has been launched to keep the community up to date with the £70m project to rebuild the Tyne and Wear Metro Depot.
VolkerFitzpatrick, the contractor appointed by Stadler to build the new depot at Gosforth in Newcastle, has developed the app to give those living and working around the site a better understanding of the works. (Permalink) App Gosforth Depot Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Concessionary Travel passholders can travel free on public transport before 9:30am if they are going to or from a coronavirus vaccination appointment.
Nexus has confirmed that older and eligible disabled customers can travel on local buses in Tyne and Wear and Metro if they have a Metro Gold Card providing they have proof of an early morning appointment, such as a letter, email or text. This extra concession works the same as the longstanding hospital appointment concession. Concessionary Travel passes and Metro Gold Cards can otherwise be used after 9:30am weekdays and all day at weekends and publicholidays. (Permalink) COVID-19 Tyne and Wear Metro |
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North east contractor Thompsons of Prudhoe has been appointed to undertake demolition work at the Tyne and Wear Metro depot. Thompsons will take on the task of knocking down the 100 year old depot at Gosforth, in Newcastle, paving the way for a £70m rebuild on the same site.
(Permalink) Gosforth Sheds Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A major programme of modernisation work will close the Tyne and Wear Metros busiest lines through the centres of Newcastle and Gateshead for two consecutive weeks next month. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, needs to replace essential overhead power lines as part of a £30m programme of wire renewals across the network. It will get the network ready for the introduction of a new train fleet, which will transform the customer experience by 2025.
The major line closure will mean that there are no Metro services between Heworth and Regent Centre / Four Lane Ends for 14 days - Monday 15 February to Sunday 28 February. (Permalink) Nexus Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Metro drivers are getting a first glimpse of their new trains through virtual reality. VR headsets, provided by the Swiss train builder, Stadler, offers an immersive experience that allows drivers to see inside the new cab before it has even been built. The computer-generated images deliver a virtual tour of the new trains state-of-the-art drivers cab. It allows Metro drivers to offer essential feedback on the controls, layout, and instrument displays.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A new temporary depot which has been built to welcome the Tyne and Wear Metro's new £362m train fleet has officially become operational.
The Howdon site in North Tyneside will be used to on-track the new Metro trains from 2022, and for maintenance of the current rolling stock while the main Gosforth depot in Newcastle is completely rebuilt. Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said it was another step in the process of getting new Metro trains “ which will transform the customer experience when they start entering service. (Permalink) Bexus Howdon Depot Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A new temporary Metro Depot in North Tyneside has welcomed its first train ahead of it becoming fully operational at the end of the month.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has successfully ran a test train into the new maintenance workshop, which is located at Howdon. The former landfill site has been transformed into a new temporary home for Metro - and its now almost ready to open. Howdon depot will be used for the cleaning and preparation of up to a quarter of the current Metro fleet while the main Metro depot at Gosforth in Newcastle is completely rebuilt at a cost of £70m. (Permalink) Gosforth Depot Howdon Depot Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro and the man who masterminded its creation have scooped a special public transport industry award. The Global Light Rail Awards last night recognised the overwhelming success of the Metro system as it celebrates its 40th anniversary year, along with the work of the pioneering civil engineer who made it become a reality. The Judges' Special Award was jointly presented to Metros operator, Nexus, and to Professor Tony Ridley, the former Director General who led the Metro project in its early years, paving the way for a system that revolutionised local public transport.
Prof Ridley, a respected civil engineer from Sunderland, headed up the Tyne and Wear PTE from 1968 to 1975. He was part of a team of visionary planners who devised the Metro network. He oversaw the planning process, the award of funding, and the first year of construction work in 1974. (Permalink) Nexus Tyne and Wear Metro  Callerton Parkway: Having just left Newcastle Airport, this Tyne and Wear Metro train reaches its first stop in a matter of moments, crossing Callerton Lane on the level at the western approach to the station. Callerton ... South Hylton: Tyne and Wear Metro train at the South Hylton terminus on 18 November. Tynemouth: View towards Newcastle over the disused bays at the 1882 NER station at Tynemouth in July 1981 with signage relating to Tyne and Wear PTE Metro services in the foreground. |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro has secured further financial support from the Government to sustain its essential services through to March while Covid-19 restrictions continue across North East England.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £8.5m for Metro, which will last to January 18, and a similar such amount to get through to March 31, the end of the current financial year, if it is needed. (Permalink) COVID-19 Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Stadler is now responsible for servicing and maintaining the old Tyne and Wear Metro fleet in Newcastle upon Tyne and has become the employer of 120 Nexus employees as it prepares the new fleet of 42 new trains that are scheduled to enter commercial operation from 2023.
(Permalink) Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A vibrant yellow colour scheme for Metro's £362m new train fleet can be revealed for the first time today, as Nexus launches a major public consultation on its interior design.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, has chosen a modern and eye-catching yellow paint job with black and pale grey along the train sides, following input from passengers and employees. The new colour scheme is a nod to the Metro's iconic yellow PTE livery when the system first opened 40 years ago. The new Metro fleet, which is being built by the Swiss train manufacturer, Stadler, is set to enter service in 2023, transforming the experience for passengers and boosting reliability. (Permalink) Nexus Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Community leaders have hailed the importance of the Tyne and Wear Metro on its 40th anniversary.
Bosses at all five local authorities have praised the social and economic impact of Metro over four decades of operations, during which time the network has carried 1.5 billion passengers. And they looked ahead to a bright future for the service, with funding in place for a state-of-the-art new train fleet, which is set to arrive 2023, and a £70m new depot. Leader of Gateshead Council and Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, Cllr Martin Gannon, said: 'Im absolutely delighted to wish the Metro a happy birthday. 'This is a celebration of 40 years of transformational service for all of the people of Tyne and Wear. 'I can remember when the Metro opened in Gateshead with the visit of Her Majesty the Queen. 'The Metro has made a huge economic and social contribution for the people of Gateshead over 40 years, and there are many more successful years to come.' (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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A new virtual tour of the Tyne and Wear Metro depot has been produced to mark its 40th anniversary.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, commissioned the video tour after plans to hold a public open day were scrapped due to Coronavirus restrictions. The virtual tour, which is in the format of a 20-minute film which can be viewed online, gives people an in-depth look around Metros main maintenance depot at Gosforth, in Newcastle, ahead of its £70m rebuild. The Tyne and Wear Metro celebrated its 40th anniversary on Tuesday, 11 August. Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: A virtual depot tour is a great way to mark the 40th anniversary of Metro at a time when were unable to welcome visitors for an open day. Its a fascinating insight into how we look after the ageing Metro train fleet, showcasing the passion, skill and dedication of our workforce. We had planned to allow the public in to have a look around the depot as part of an open day but the coronavirus pandemic meant the event had to be cancelled. The next best thing was to commission a virtual tour, which gives people access all areas at the depot. This is the last chance to look around the Metro depot building, which dates back to 1923, before demolition gets underway to make way for the new £70m depot on the same Gosforth site, which will be home to our new train fleet. The virtual tour allows people to see the running sheds, where trains are stored, and the main lifting shop, where the bulk of the daily maintenance work is carried out before trains are sent into service. Viewers get the chance to see how a Metro trains wheels are made ready for service, and how other essential components allow the trains to draw high voltage power from overhead lines, and how the Metro carriages are coupled together. There is even a chance to see the outside test areas where the all-important brake tests are carried out on the Metro trains. Other elements include a look at the state-of-the-art vehicles that Nexus uses for looking after overhead lines, and how staff keep Metros 220 ticket machines in working order. (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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As part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, Tyne and Wear Metro is today launching a new online game to test the knowledge of Metro users.
The easy-to-play game, called Station Master, features questions about Metro stations, nearby attractions, and some of the 40 year history. Players will be shown a random selection of 20 multi-choice questions per game, and throughout the game will get tips and information about Metro and places to visit. Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis said: Were delighted to launch this new game as part of our anniversary celebrations. Its a bit of fun for all ages and now that families can travel to more places and attractions we hope our game adds a little extra to your familiar Metro journey. Metro has been part of everyday life in Tyne and Wear for 40 years, providing a vital service to many and part of a great day out for others. The game really does highlight the areas that the network covers, and the fantastic range of attractions within easy reach of our stations. Nexus partnered with Digital Catapult North East at Sunderland Software City to source a local company with a creative and original idea to inform and entertain passengers and Metro fans. Newcastle based digital agency Venture Stream were appointed to deliver the project in early 2020. Chris Ogle from Venture Stream said: 'We were thrilled to have been given the opportunity to partner with Nexus. It was great to work with an iconic local brand, and one which we were already very familiar with, half of our employees use Metro regularly. Station Master celebrates the forty year history of the Tyne & Wear Metro, and we hope that those returning to travel after lockdown will enjoy their journey a little more thanks to this fun game.' Anna Malley, Project Manager at Sunderland Software City, said: Its been a pleasure working with Nexus and Venture Stream to explore how technology can be used to engage more residents with their local history, culture, and Metro. When Nexus approached us, they were looking for new ways to use technology to help passengers learn more about different Metro stations and destinations. We invited local companies from the tech and digital industries to pitch potential solutions, which led to the development of the game by Venture Stream. Were excited to be able to play the game!' The game is free to use and players can play as many times as they like. It can be accessed via the Nexus website from anywhere. Play now at www.nexus.org.uk/metro/station-master (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The government has stepped in to provide £8.5 million of financial support to keep services running on the Tyne and Wear Metro while passenger numbers continue to recover. The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed the funding which is in addition to an initial £8.6 million of emergency support that was announced on 1 May.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Exciting plans to build a new £8.8m ferry landing at North Shields Fish Quay have moved a step closer after the Government announced that funding was being made available.
The Department for Communities and Local Government confirmed yesterday that it was allocating £47m to the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) from its Get Building Fund for 18 major projects to boost the local economy. The creation of a new Shields Ferry landing in the North Shields Fish Quay regeneration area was included in the announcement. Nexus, the public body which owns and operates the cross-Tyne ferry service, will draw up a detailed business case to the LEP, for submission in September. (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Tyne and Wear Metro's new train depot at Howdon is close to completion. Set to officially open this summer, the former landfill site has been transformed. New tracks and overhead lines are in place and a new maintenance shed has been built and fitted out along with new facilities for staff.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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The 40th anniversary of the Tyne and Wear Metro is being celebrated with a special train livery to mark the occasion. Metrocar 4001, one of the original prototypes in use since Metro opened to the public in 1980, will bear the unique external livery throughout the summer, ahead of Metros 40th birthday on Tuesday 11 August 2020.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Swiss firm Stadler has won a £362m contract to build a new fleet of trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
It had been up against Spanish firm CAF and Japanese company Hitachi, which was ruled out last year despite having a manufacturing plant in County Durham. Stadler will also be responsible for the maintenance of the 42-train fleet for up to 35 years, and will construct a new maintenance depot. Metro operator Nexus said new trains would be running by 2024 at the latest. (Permalink) Stadler Tyne and Wear Metro  St James: A Metro 4-car unit stands at the St James terminus in Newcastle city centre on 10 December 2017 ready to depart to South Shields. Informed travellers would change at the first station on its journey, ...  Tynemouth: A Metro service for South Shields leaving Tynemouth station on 12 June 2013.  Monkseaton: A Tyne & Wear Metro train for St James arrives at Monkseaton station in July 2004. |
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The Japanese train builder Hitachi has failed to win an order to supply 54 new trains for the Tyne and Wear metro.
The company was up against Spanish firm CAF and Swiss train manufacturer Stadler for the £500m contract. Hitachi, which has a plant in County Durham, said it could not comment for legal reasons. Metro operator Nexus said it could not comment. (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Tyne & Wear Transport Executive Nexus has shortlisted five organisations to design, build and maintain a new fleet of trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
A preferred bidder will be named at the end of next year. (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Nexus wants to renationalise the Tyne and Wear Metro operating contact for two years, as part of a 'long-term strategy to develop the system'.
Nexus is seeking endorsement from Leaders of the North East Combined Authority to manage Metro operations directly for two years from April 2017, once the current contract has expired. Although Nexus has the contractual right to extend the current contract for a further two years, it said it 'did not wish to exercise this option'. It is instead proposing to manage train operations and stations directly until 2019, allowing it to prepare for significant changes that will come with investment in a new train fleet. [From Richard Buckby] (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro  Queen Elizabeth II Bridge: A Tyne & Wear Metro unit about to leave the bridge over the River Tyne heading for Newcastle Central on the afternoon of 8 May 2013.  Tynemouth: A Metro service arrives at platform 2 of a refurbished Tynemouth station in May 2013. North Shields: Refurbished and re-liveried T&W Metro set 4075 calls at North Shields on 12 June. |
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Nexus has awarded TXM Rail a four-year renewal and upgrade framework contract for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
TXM Rail, a division of TXM Plant, will provide permanent way, associated signalling and electrification and civils work with design works in support of a £389 million renewal of the network. TXM Rail will open a depot in Newcastle upon Tyne to deliver the framework. The director of rail and infrastructure for Nexus, Raymond Johnstone, said: We are now half way through our £389 million modernisation programme. [From Richard Buckby] (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro Monkseaton: A Tyne & Wear Metro train for St James arrives at Monkseaton station in July 2004. Newcastle Airport: Metro unit 4027 in North Eastern Railway livery at Newcastle Airport on 23 October.  Tynemouth: An outer circle Tyne & Wear Metro service arrives at Tynemouth on 27 September. |
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Passenger journeys on light rail systems around the UK have risen by 5.6 per cent in the past year.
Almost 240 million passenger journeys were made last year, with Docklands Light Railway, Tyne and Wear Metro, and Manchester Metrolink recording the biggest increases. Passenger satisfaction levels were at 90 per cent. [From Richard Buckby] (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro  Heron Quays: Docklands Light Railway Unit 31 leaves Heron Quays station on 28 July 2014.  Derker: A Metrolink tram calls at Derker on a Rochdale to East Didsbury service on 31 July 2013.  South Gosforth: A Tyne & Wear Metro train calls at a leafy South Gosforth station on 14 May 2010 with an afternoon service to South Hylton. |
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A petition calling for the extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington has been presented to Parliament.
The 1736-signature document is the fourth the Washington and Sunderland West Labour MP Sharon Hodgson has submitted on the issue. She said she hoped it would encourage the government to act. Metro operator Nexus has proposed adding a further 20 stations by 2030, though a full-scale feasibility study is needed. (Permalink) East Boldon Leamside Line Pelaw South Hylton Sunderland Tyne and Wear Metro Washington  Pelaw: V3 67636 with empty stock from Heaton CS for the Durham Rail Tour of 13 October 1962. After crossing the King Edward Bridge and run east to reach Pelaw the train has turned south under the A184 ... Washington South Junction: 37078+37067 arriving off the Stanhope and Tyne route at Washington South Junction in the late 1970s with a train of iron ore empties from Consett. The train will reverse in Washington sidings before h ...  Usworth: The site of Usworth station on the old main line through County Durham via Leamside in May 1992. View is north towards Pelaw Junction over the former A1290 level crossing. |
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A steam train display will mark the 175th anniversary of the Metro line - amongst the oldest in the world.
Next month marks 175 years since the opening of a line which still forms part of the modern day Tyne and Wear Metro system - the Newcastle and North Shields Railway. And to celebrate the occasion on June 1, the Stephenson Railway Museum is due to run special steam trains from platforms at Percy Main as well as from the main museum, linking in with Metro services. (Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro North Shields: Refurbished and re-liveried T&W Metro set 4075 calls at North Shields on 12 June. North Shields: The 1890 NER station at North Shields on 6 August 1980, just 5 days before the station was closed for refurbishment and electrification in connection with the Metro project. The new North Shiel ...  Tynemouth [N and B]: The former terminus of the Newcastle & Berwick Railway's extension of the North Shields line to Tynemouth seen from the west in July 1981, showing the part of the trackbed and the old hotel building o ... |
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The reopening of Wearside's disused Leamside railway line has moved a step closer.
The North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has commissioned a study into the business case for reopening the line. The move comes just weeks after the last ever meeting of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority heard about a Nexus plan to introduce a new circular Metro route, connecting Pelaw, Washington, South Hylton, Sunderland and East Boldon, by connecting the Leamside line and the former Sunderland to Durham rail line west of South Hylton. (Permalink) East Boldon Leamside Line Pelaw South Hylton Sunderland Tyne and Wear Metro Washington  South Hylton: A Tyne and Wear Metro service shortly after arrival at South Hylton terminus in the summer of 2004. Prior to 1967 the line crossed the road in the background and continued on to join the Leamside line ... Pelaw: V3 67636 with empty stock from Heaton CS for the Durham Rail Tour of 13 October 1962. After crossing the King Edward Bridge and run east to reach Pelaw the train has turned south under the A184 ... Usworth: The site of Usworth station on the old main line through County Durham via Leamside in May 1992. View is north towards Pelaw Junction over the former A1290 level crossing. |
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The Tyne and Wear Metro is celebrating its 30th birthday. The UK's first urban light rail network began operating on 11 August 1980, initially only between Haymarket and Tynemouth stations.
(Permalink) Tyne and Wear Metro  Middle Engine Lane Shed: Prototype Metro car 4002 receiving attention at the Metro test track at Middle Engine Lane, North Tyneside in 1977. This facility later became the Stephenson Railway Museum.  Monkwearmouth: A Tyne & Wear Metro service, passes the closed station at Monkwearmouth in July 2004 on the northern approach to Sunderland. The 1848 station, originally built by the YN&B as a terminus, lost much of ... Tynemouth: An outer circle Tyne & Wear Metro service arrives at Tynemouth on 27 September. |
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