Tyne and Wear Metro

Rapid-transit rail network in north-east England

Tyne and Wear Metro

A Metrocar at Chillingham Road in 2024, branded in the current black and yellow colour scheme.

System map of the Tyne and Wear Metro network.

Overview
Owner| Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (Nexus)
Area served|

* Newcastle upon Tyne
* Gateshead
* North Tyneside
* South Tyneside
* City of Sunderland

Locale| Tyne and Wear
Transit type|

* Light rail
* Rapid transit

Number of lines| 2
Number of stations| 60
Annual ridership| 30.7 million (2023/24)[1]
4.8%
Headquarters|

* Station Road
* Gosforth
* Newcastle upon Tyne

Website| www.nexus.org.uk/metro
Operation
Began operation| 11 August 1980; 44 years ago (1980-08-11)
Operator(s)| Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (Nexus)
Number of vehicles|

* 71 (90) Metrocars
* 11 (46) Class 555

Train length| 27.81 m (91 ft 3 in)
Technical
System length| 77.5 km (48.2 mi)[2]
Track gauge| 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification| Overhead line, 1,500 V DC
Top speed| 80 km/h (50 mph)
| System map

Legend

| Airport |  |

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Callerton Parkway |  |

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Bank Foot |  |

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Kingston Park |  |

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Kingston Park |  |

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Fawdon |  |

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Fawdon |  |

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Wansbeck Road |  |

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Regent Centre |  |

|  | Whitley Bay
Monkseaton |  |

|  | Cullercoats
West Monkseaton |  |

|  | Tynemouth
|  |

|  |
Shiremoor |  |

|  | North Shields
Northumberland Park |  |

|  | Meadow Well

A19

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|  | Percy Main
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A19

Palmersville |  |

|  | Howdon

Northumberland Line

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East Coast Main Line

|  |

|  | Howdon
Benton |  |

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Howdon Depot

Four Lane Ends |  |

|  |

Willington Dene Viaduct

Longbenton |  |

|  | Hadrian Road

South Gosforth Depot

|  |

|  | Wallsend
|  |

|  | Walkergate
South Gosforth |  |

|  | Chillingham Road
Ilford Road |  |

|  | Byker
West Jesmond |  |

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Byker Viaduct

|  |

|  |

East Coast Main Line

Jesmond |  |

|  | Manors
Haymarket |  |

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Manors Curve

|  |

|  | Monument
St James |  |

|  | Central
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

| Queen Elizabeth II Bridge

over River Tyne

Gateshead |  |

|  |
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|  | Gateshead Stadium
Felling |  |

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|  | Heworth

A184

|  |

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| Durham Coast Line

to Newcastle

|  | Pelaw
|  |

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Pelaw Sidings

A194

|  |

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|  | Hebburn
Fellgate |  |

|  | Jarrow

A19

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A19

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River Don

Brockley Whins |  |

|  | Bede

B1298

|  |

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A194

|  |

|  | Simonside

East Boldon Loop

|  |

|  | Tyne Dock

B1299

|  |

|  | Chichester
East Boldon |  |

|  | South Shields
|  |

|  |  | Maintenance & Renewals

Skills Centre
Seaburn |  |

|  |
Stadium of Light |  |

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St Peter's |  |

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| Monkwearmouth Bridge

over River Wear

Sunderland |  |

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|  |

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| Durham Coast Line

to Middlesbrough

Burdon Dock Sidings

|  |

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Park Lane |  |

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University |  |

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Millfield |  |

|  |

A1231

|  |

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Pallion |  |

|  |
South Hylton |  |

|  |
|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

* view
* talk
* edit

The Tyne and Wear Metro is an overground and underground light rail rapid transit system[3][4][5] serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and the City of Sunderland (together forming Tyne and Wear). The owners Nexus have described it as "Britain’s first light rapid transit system".[6] The system is currently both owned and operated by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (Nexus), thus is fully under public ownership and operation.

The Metro was originally conceived of during the early 1970s, incorporating much of the earlier infrastructure formerly used by the Tyneside Electrics suburban network, with some elements dating back as far as 1834. Construction work began in 1974, the majority of this activity being centred on the building of new tunnels and bridges that linked with several preexisting railway lines that were converted. In parallel, a purpose-built fleet of Metrocars was procured. The first section of the Tyne and Wear Metro was opened during August 1980, although construction of the original network was completed in March 1984. Early on, Metro operations were integrated with local bus services, although this practice ended with the deregulation of the buses during the late 1980s.

Multiple extensions to the original network were promptly worked upon; the first of these, from Bank Foot to Newcastle Airport, was opened during November 1991.[7] A second extension, from Pelaw to Sunderland and South Hylton, was completed in March 2002.[8] By 2013, the network comprised a total of 60 stations (these being a mixture of underground and above-ground stations) across two lines, covering 77.5 km (48.2 mi) of track.[9][10][11][2] While the Metro has largely been operated by Nexus directly, for a period between 2010 and 2017, it was operated under a concession by DB Regio instead; upon the expiry of the contract, it returned to being operated by Nexus.

During 2016, Nexus launched a programme to replace its existing rolling stock, which dates back to the 1980s. Under the Metro Flow scheme, announced in March 2020, works costing £103 million are to increase the service frequency from five to six trains per hour, reduce journey times and improve reliability levels. The first replacement Class 555 articulated light rail train entered passenger service on 18 December 2024.

## History

[edit]

### Predecessor

[edit]

Main article: Tyneside Electrics

A South Tyneside NER electric unit at Newcastle Central station, 1938

The present system uses much former railway infrastructure, mostly constructed between 1834 and 1882, one of the oldest parts being the Newcastle and North Shields Railway, which opened in 1839. During 1904, in response to tramway competition which was taking away passengers, the North Eastern Railway started electrifying parts of their local railway network north of the River Tyne with a 600 V DC third-rail system, forming one of the earliest suburban electric networks, known as the Tyneside Electrics. In 1938, the line south of the River Tyne between Newcastle and South Shields was also electrified.[12]

Under British Rail in the 1960s, the decision was made to de-electrify the Tyneside Electrics network and convert it to diesel operation, owing to falling passenger numbers and the cost of renewing end-of-life electrical infrastructure and rolling stock. The Newcastle to South Shields line was de-electrified in 1963, followed by the North Tyneside routes, in 1967.[2][12] This was widely viewed as a backward step, as the diesel trains were slower than the electric trains they replaced.[13]

### Planning and construction

[edit]

During the early 1970s, the poor local transport system was identified as one of the main factors holding back the region's economy, and in 1971 a study was commissioned by the recently created Tyneside Passenger Transport Authority (now known as Nexus) into how the transport system could be improved.

United Kingdom legislation

Tyneside Metropolitan Railway Act 1973

Act of Parliament

United Kingdom

Long title| An Act to empower the Tyneside Passenger Transport Executive to construct works and to acquire lands; to authorise the Executive to enter into agreements with the British Railways Board with respect to certain existing railways of the Board including provision for the determination of questions arising concerning the alteration, maintenance and operation thereof for rapid transit; to confer general powers upon the Executive with respect to the rapid transit railway and their general undertaking; and for other purposes.
Citation| 1973 c. xxxii
Dates
Royal assent| 25 July 1973

Status: Current legislation

Text of the Tyneside Metropolitan Railway Act 1973 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

This study recommended reviving the badly run-down former Tyneside Electrics network by converting it into an electrified rapid transit system, which would include a new underground section to better serve the busy central areas of Newcastle and Gateshead, as it was felt that the existing rail network didn't serve these areas adequately. This new system was intended to be the core of a new integrated transport network, with buses acting as feeders to purpose-built transport interchanges. The plans were approved by the Tyneside Metropolitan Railway Act 1973 (c. xxxii), which was passed by Parliament in July.[14][15] Around 70% of the funding for the scheme came from a central government grant, with the remainder coming from local sources.[16][17]

The Byker Viaduct was the first in Britain to be built using cantilevered concrete sections with joints glued with epoxy resin.[18]

Three railway lines, totalling 26 miles (42 km) were to be converted into Metro lines as part of the initial system – these being the North Tyneside Loop and Newcastle to South Shields branch (both of which were formerly part of the Tyneside Electrics network), and a short stretch of the freight-only Ponteland Railway between South Gosforth and Bank Foot, which had not seen any passenger traffic since 1929.[2]

The converted railway lines were to be connected by around 6 mi (10 km) of new infrastructure, which was built both to separate the Metro from the existing rail network, and also to create the new underground routes under Newcastle and Gateshead. Around 4 mi (6 km) of the new infrastructure was in tunnels, whilst the remainder was either at ground level or elevated. The elevated sections included the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, a new 350 m (1,150 ft) bridge carrying the Metro across the River Tyne, and the 815 m (2,674 ft) Byker Viaduct across the Ouseburn Valley, between Byker and Manors.[2][17]

Construction work began in October 1974. This involved the construction of the new infrastructure, re-electrifying the routes with overhead line equipment, the upgrading or relocation of existing stations, and the construction of several new stations, some of which were underground. Major civil engineering works on the surface included two bridges, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and the Byker Viaduct.[19][20] By 1984, the final cost of the project was £265 million (equivalent to £855 million in 2023).[21][22] The Tyne and Wear Metro was the first railway in the United Kingdom to operate using the metric system, with all speeds and distances stated in metric units only.[23] It was also the first transport system in the United Kingdom to be designed to be fully accessible to passengers with disabilities, with step-free access available at all stations across the network.[24]

Construction of the Metro

* The escalator shaft at Haymarket, under construction in the late 1970s.

* The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge over the River Tyne, nearing completion in 1978.

* The Metro station at Tyne Dock, under construction in the early 1980s.

### Opening

[edit]

Originally, the Tyne and Wear Metro was intended to be opened in stages between 1979 and 1981.[17] The first stages of the original network (between Haymarket and Tynemouth) opened in August 1980, with the final stage (between Heworth and South Shields) opening in March 1984.[2] Extensions to Newcastle Airport and Sunderland opened in 1991 and 2002 respectively. The opening dates of services and stations are as follows:[2]

Stations by opening date  Date  | Station/s

|

11 August 1980  | Haymarket, Jesmond, West Jesmond, Ilford Road, South Gosforth, Longbenton, Four Lane Ends, Benton, Shiremoor, West Monkseaton, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats, Tynemouth
10 May 1981  | Regent Centre, Wansbeck Road, Fawdon, Bank Foot
15 November 1981  | Heworth, Felling, Gateshead Stadium, Gateshead, Central Station, Monument[a]
14 November 1982  | North Shields, Meadow Well,[b] Percy Main, Howdon, Hadrian Road, Wallsend, Walkergate, Chillingham Road, Byker, Manors, St James
24 March 1984  | Hebburn, Jarrow, Bede, Tyne Dock, Chichester, South Shields
15 September 1985  | Kingston Park
16 September 1985  | Pelaw
19 March 1986  | Palmersville
17 November 1991  | Callerton Parkway, Newcastle Airport
31 March 2002  | Fellgate, Brockley Whins, East Boldon, Seaburn, Stadium of Light, St Peter's, Sunderland, University, Millfield, Pallion, South Hylton
28 April 2002  | Park Lane
11 December 2005  | Northumberland Park
17 March 2008  | Simonside

The Sunderland branch of the network, which runs over National Rail infrastructure, is policed by British Transport Police. The rest of the network is policed by Northumbria Police.[25]

### Integration

[edit]

When the Tyne and Wear Metro first opened, it was intended to form part of an integrated public transport system, with the local bus network reconfigured to act as 'feeder' services for the Metro. The Metro was intended to cover trunk journeys, while buses were re-designed towards shorter, local trips, to bring passengers to and from Metro stations, using unified ticketing, and with their timetable integrated with the Metro schedule. Several purpose-built transport interchanges, such as Four Lane Ends, Heworth and Regent Centre were built for this purpose. Integration was short-lived, and lasted until the deregulation of bus services, in 1986.[24] It is, however, still possible to purchase Transfare tickets, to combine a journey made using multiple modes of transport in Tyne and Wear.[26]

## Expansion and growth

[edit]

### Extension to Newcastle Airport

[edit]

Callerton Parkway Metro station

During November 1991, the Tyne and Wear Metro was extended to Newcastle Airport at a cost of £12 million.[7] The new section of track, covering a distance of around 2.2 miles (3.5 km), continued along the alignment of the former Ponteland Railway, with two stations constructed at Callerton Parkway and Airport.[2][27]

### Extension to Wearside

[edit]

In March 2002, a £100 million extension, covering 11.5 miles (18.5 km), was opened from Pelaw to Sunderland and South Hylton.[8] The extension used part of the existing Durham Coast Line, with the line being adapted to allow a shared service between Metro and rail services – therefore becoming the first system in the United Kingdom to implement a form of the Karlsruhe model.[10] Between Pelaw and Sunderland, intermediate stations at Brockley Whins, East Boldon and Seaburn were re-built, with a further three being purpose-built for the network, at Fellgate, Stadium of Light and St. Peter's. Between Sunderland and South Hylton, around 3 miles (4.8 km) of the former Penshaw-Sunderland line, which closed to passenger traffic in May 1964, was used as the alignment of the route. Five purpose-built stations at Park Lane, University, Millfield, Pallion and South Hylton were constructed for the network.[2][28]

### Planned extension to Washington

[edit]

There have been a number of proposals looking in to the possibility of re-opening the former Leamside line to Washington, including a 2009 report from the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC),[29] and a 2016 proposal from the North East Combined Authority (NECA),[30] as well as the abandoned Project Orpheus programme, from the early 2000s. By 2020, proposals were being put forward to link the current network at Pelaw and South Hylton, with the International Advanced Manufacturing Park in Washington, using part of the alignment of the former Leamside line.[31][32]

The first stages of a business case were published in November 2022. It will be evaluated by the North East Joint Transport Committee with the ambition to secure funding from the Government to cover the cost of the scheme, expected to be £745 million.[33]

In July 2024, Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East, provided £8.6 million to fund development of the expansion business case.[34] The proposal is to use the Leamside line to provide a loop by connecting from the current terminus at South Hylton to Pelaw, with stations at Washington South, Washington North and Follingsby.[34]

In June 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £15.6 billion of funding for public transport schemes outside London, of which the NECA will receive £1.85 billion. This proposes the addition of stations such as Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South. This extension, running along the Leamside line will connect South Hylton and Pelaw.[35] The NECA confirmed that £900m of this funding would be used to build the extension to Washington (once the planning process was complete), with the remaining funds sourced from private investment, and with a targeted opening date of 2033.[36]

## Upgrades and development

[edit]

### Project Orpheus

[edit]

During 2002, Nexus unveiled an ambitious 15-year plan for transport in Tyne and Wear, named Project Orpheus. The project, valued at £1.5 billion, aimed to extend the existing Metro network, including links to Cramlington, Doxford Park, Killingworth, Metrocentre, Seaham, Team Valley and Washington. In addition to this, plans would see the introduction of street-running trams, river buses across the Tyne, and cable cars, linking 29 key corridors.[37][38][39] The project has since been abandoned, with plans reworked and developed into the Metro: All Change programme.

### Metro: All Change

[edit]

#### Phase 1

[edit]

Simonside Metro station

The first phase of Metro's All Change programme saw the start of a £25 million project to install new ticket machines at all 60 stations across the network. Unlike the former ticket machines, which only accepted payment with coins, the new machines are able to accept payment with credit and debit card (with an upgrade to accept contactless payment in 2013),[40] notes and coins.[41] Automated ticket barriers (at 13 stations), and smart card validators at all stations across the network were also introduced, as part of the first phase of the All Change programme.[42][43]

The first phase of the programme also saw the completion of a new station at Simonside, in March 2008,[44] as well as the refurbishment and modernisation of Haymarket, in 2009.[45] An upgrade of platforms at Sunderland, and the refurbishment and modernisation of several other stations was also undertaken during this phase. Lifts and escalators were replaced at several stations, between 2009 and 2016.[46][47][48] Phase 1 of the programme also involved the overhaul of infrastructure, including communications, track and overhead power lines, structures and embankments.

#### Phase 2

[edit]

Post-refurbishment Tyne and Wear Metrocar

Phase 2 of the All Change programme saw the £20 million refurbishment of 86 Tyne and Wear Metrocars (originally all 90 Metrocars were due to be refurbished). Each Metrocar was stripped down to its frame and built back up again, with the addition of improved disabled access, new door control systems, and renewed interiors, seating and lighting. A new cadmium yellow and black livery was also adopted. Work commenced in June 2010, at Wabtec at Doncaster Works, and was completed five months ahead of schedule, in August 2015.[49][50][51][52] The first Metrocar to receive refurbishment was 4041, the unit being named after former Gateshead Councillor and MP, Harry Cowans, in honour of his work in the 1970s, to help to secure the construction of the network.[53]

The second phase of the programme also saw the modernisation of a further 45 stations, including the re-building of the station at North Shields, which was completed in September 2012,[54] as well as the installation of new communications system, and the overhaul and maintenance of structures such as bridges, tunnels, track and overhead power lines.[55]

#### Phase 3

[edit]

The third phase of Metro's All Change programme began in 2019, with the procurement of a new fleet of 46 (originally 42) units, designed by Swiss manufacturer, Stadler. Delivery of the new rolling stock began in February 2023, with the first unit expected to enter service some time between September and November 2023, and the remainder following into 2024 or 2025.[56][57][58] It will also see the introduction of a new signalling system, overhaul and maintenance of structures, track and overhead lines, and further station improvements.

### Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre

[edit]

In July 2018, Nexus announced the beginning of work to construct the new Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre, at Mile End Road in South Shields.[59][60][61] Construction began in August 2018 and was opened in November 2020. The £8.4 million project saw the construction of a three-storey training centre, with classrooms, a mock control room, driver training simulator, covered tracks and inspection pits, and a mock Metro station, as well as a 70 m (230 ft) stretch of dual track, to be used to carry out infrastructure training, including track, points, signalling and overhead line. The site is also used to stable and maintain a small number of vehicles.[62]

### Metro Flow

[edit]

During March 2020, the government announced a £103 million scheme, known as Metro Flow, during the 2020 Budget. The project aims to increase frequency from five to six trains per hour, reduce journey times and improve service reliability. From September 2022, the project will see three sections of single line between Pelaw and Bede converted to dual use, with an existing freight-only line electrified, and re-designed to operate using a similar system to the shared line between Pelaw and Sunderland. As part of the project, four additional Stadler units have been funded, bringing the total number of units on order from 42 to 46.[63][64]

## Network

[edit]

The network of the Tyne and Wear Metro is a mixture of different transport modes, having elements of light rail, heavy underground metro, and longer-distance, suburban railway systems. While the owner Nexus terms it as light rapid transit,[6] the government classifies it as a light rail system.[65] Technicality it can be termed a semi-metro network for having both underground sections as well as level crossings,[66][67] while practically it can be termed a regional metro for having longer than usual distances compared to similar transport networks.[68][69]

### Services

[edit]

The Tyne and Wear Metro network consists of two lines. As of December 2024[update], the typical off-peak service pattern is:

Green line

Route  | tph  | Calling at
South Hylton to Airport | 5  |

* Pallion
* Millfield
* University
* Park Lane
* Sunderland
* St Peter's
* Stadium of Light
* Seaburn
* East Boldon
* Brockley Whins
* Fellgate
* Pelaw
* Heworth
* Felling
* Gateshead Stadium
* Gateshead
* Central
* Monument
* Haymarket
* Jesmond
* West Jesmond
* Ilford Road
* South Gosforth
* Regent Centre
* Wansbeck Road
* Fawdon
* Kingston Park
* Bank Foot
* Callerton Parkway

Yellow line
Route  | tph  | Calling at
South Shields to St James via Whitley Bay | 5  |

* Chichester
* Tyne Dock
* Simonside
* Bede
* Jarrow
* Hebburn
* Pelaw
* Heworth
* Felling
* Gateshead Stadium
* Gateshead
* Central
* Monument
* Haymarket
* Jesmond
* West Jesmond
* Ilford Road
* South Gosforth
* Longbenton
* Four Lane Ends
* Benton
* Palmersville
* Northumberland Park
* Shiremoor
* West Monkseaton
* Whitley Bay
* Cullercoats
* Tynemouth
* North Shields
* Meadow Well
* Percy Main
* Howdon
* Hadrian Road
* Wallsend
* Walkergate
* Chillingham Road
* Byker
* Manors
* Monument

Services commence between 05:00 and 06:00 (between 06:00 and 07:00 on Sunday), with frequent trains running until around midnight. Each line runs up to every 12 minutes during the day (Monday to Saturday), and up to every 15 minutes during the evening and on Sunday. This allows for a combined frequency of up to every six minutes (Monday to Saturday), and up to every seven to eight minutes during the evening and on Sunday, between Pelaw and South Gosforth. Additional trains run during morning and evening peak hours (Monday to Friday) between Pelaw and Regent Centre or Monkseaton. This provides a Metro up to every three minutes between Pelaw and South Gosforth, at peak times. Originally, there was also a Red Line between Heworth (later Pelaw) and Benton and a Blue Line between St James and North Shields. Additional trains ran on these lines during peak hours to increase the frequency at the busier stations.[13]

### Route map

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

Green line

|  |  |

|  | Airport

|
|
|
|

|  |

|  | Callerton Parkway
|  |

|  | Bank Foot
|  |

|  | Kingston Park
|  |

Z o n e   B

|  | Fawdon
|  |

|  | Wansbeck Road
|  |

|  | Regent Centre
|  |

|  |

via North Shields

|  |

|  | South Gosforth
|  |

|  | Ilford Road
|  |

|  | West Jesmond
|  |

|  | Jesmond
|  |

|  | Haymarket
|  |

Z o n e   A

|  | Monument

|  via North Shields

to St James

|  |

|  | Central Station
|  |

|  |

River Tyne

|  |

|  | Gateshead
|  |

|  | Gateshead Stadium
|  |

|  | Felling
|  |

|  | Heworth
|  |

|  | Pelaw
|  |

Z o n e   B

|  |

to South Shields

|  |

|  | Fellgate
|  |

|  | Brockley Whins
|  |

|  | East Boldon
|  |

|  | Seaburn
|  |

|  | Stadium of Light
|  |

|  | St Peter's
|  |

|  |

River Wear

|  |

|  | Sunderland
|  |

Z o n e   C

|  | Park Lane
|  |

|  | University
|  |

|  | Millfield
|  |

|  | Pallion
|  |

|  | South Hylton
|  |  |  |  |  |

Cycle lockers

All stations have step-free access

All stations except Airport
have cycle racks or StreetPods

|  |  |  |  |  |

* v
* t
* e

Yellow line

|  Monkseaton |  |

|  | Whitley Bay

|
|
|
|

West Monkseaton |  |

|  | Cullercoats
Shiremoor |  |

Z o n e   C

|  | Tynemouth
| Northumberland

Park

|  | North Shields
Palmersville |  |

|  |

( 800m – Free
transfer via  19)

Benton |  |

Z o n e   B

|  | Meadow Well
| Four Lane

Ends

|  | Percy Main
Longbenton |  |

Z o n e   B

|  | Howdon

to  Airport

|  |

|  | Hadrian Road
South Gosforth |  |

|  | Wallsend
Ilford Road |  |

|  | Walkergate
West Jesmond |  |

|  | Chillingham Road
Jesmond |  |

Z o n e   A

|  | Byker
Haymarket |  |

|  |

| Manors

( Manors 200m)

|  |

Z o n e   A

|  | Monument
St James |  |

|  | Central Station
|  |

|  |

River Tyne

|  |

|  | Gateshead
|  |

|  | Gateshead Stadium
|  |

|  | Felling
|  |

|  | Heworth
|  |

Z o n e   B

|  | Pelaw
|  |

|  |

to South Hylton

|  |

|  | Hebburn
|  |

|  | Jarrow
|  |

|  | Bede
|  |

|  | Simonside
|  |

Z o n e   C

|  | Tyne Dock
|  |

|  | Chichester
|  |

|  | South Shields
|  |

|  |

| (500m)

|  |  |  |  |  |

Cycle lockers

All stations have step-free access

All stations have cycle racks or StreetPods

Additional trains operate between Pelaw
and Monkseaton at peak times

|  |  |  |  |  |
Geographically accurate map of the Tyne and Wear Metro

## Fleet and operations

[edit]

### Control Centre

[edit]

The Metro Control Centre is based at Gosforth, in a building alongside the station at South Gosforth. It is responsible for operating the network's signalling and electrical supply, as well as being used to communicate with train drivers and other staff using two-way radio equipment.[17] The original equipment at the control centre was replaced in 2007,[10] with a new computerised signalling control system installed in August 2018 at a cost of £12 million.[70][71]

### Depots

[edit]

Main articles: Howdon depot and South Gosforth TMD

The interior of South Gosforth TMD in 2010

The Tyne and Wear Metro is currently operated from a single depot, also based in Gosforth. The depot was opened in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway and was used to house the former Tyneside Electrics stock. The depot was inherited by Metro, prior to the system's opening in August 1980.[72] The depot is located at the centre of the triangular fork between the branch to Airport and the northern leg of the North Tyneside Loop. It is situated between stations at Longbenton, South Gosforth and Regent Centre; it is used for stabling, cleaning, maintenance and repair of the fleet. It can be accessed by trains from either east or west and there is also a depot-avoiding line running from east to west, which is not used in public service.

Prior to the arrival of new rolling stock towards the end of 2021, a new depot was constructed near Howdon, in North Tyneside. The site is used as a temporary stabling and maintenance facility for up to 10 Metrocars, whilst the current depot at South Gosforth is being reconfigured. The temporary depot at Howdon opened in August 2020.[73][74] A further vehicle stabling and maintenance facility is also scheduled to open in South Tyneside, as part of the Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre at South Shields.[62]

### Original fleet

[edit]

Main article: Tyne and Wear Metrocar

Since the Tyne and Wear Metro opened in 1980, it has operated using the same rolling stock. The fleet comprises a total of 87 (formerly 90, until March 2017) articulated units, known as Metrocars, which are numbered 4001–4090. The Metrocars are represented on TOPS, as the Class 599. When in service, Metrocars are normally coupled together in pairs and have a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). The first units to be built were two prototypes, numbered 4001 and 4002, which were delivered for testing in 1975. These were followed by 88 production units, which were built between 1978 and 1981. The design of the Metrocar was based on the Stadtbahnwagen B, a German light rail vehicle developed in the early 1970s. The units were built by Metro-Cammell, Washwood Heath.[75][76][21]

The fleet has been refurbished several times and several liveries have been used. The original livery used at opening was cadmium yellow and white, in accordance with the colours used by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive at the time.[77] A mid-life refurbishment of the fleet, carried out in-house, took place between 1995 and 2000; a new livery was adopted consisting of red, green or blue bodies, with yellow front and rear ends, and triangles containing the Metro logo on the doors.[75][51][10]

A £20 million refurbishment of 86 Metrocars (originally all 90 were due to be refurbished) began in June 2010, with the goal of the refurbishment programme being to extend the service life of the fleet until 2025 prior to the delivery of new rolling stock. Each Metrocar was stripped down to its frame and built back up again, with the addition of improved disabled access and new door control systems, with renewed interiors, seating and lighting. A new black, grey and yellow livery was also adopted.[78] Refurbishment work was completed five months ahead of schedule in August 2015.[51][49][50][52]

Branding and livery

* 1980–1990s

* 1990s–2010s

* 2010s–present

### Replacement fleet

[edit]

Main article: British Rail Class 555

A new Class 555 unit on pre-delivery testing in Switzerland, October 2024

In 2016, Nexus unveiled plans to secure funding of £550 million for a new fleet, with a target for them to be in service by the early 2020s.[79]

In November 2017, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, announced that the government would contribute £337 million towards the new fleet.[80] The proposed new fleet was planned to have dual-voltage capability, able to operate on the Metro's existing 1,500 V DC electrification system as well as the 25 kV 50 Hz AC used on the Network Rail network, to allow for expansion of Metro service. However Nexus decided not to include a dual-voltage design, prioritising use of rechargable battery technology instead.[81][82][83][84]

In September 2018, Bombardier, CAF, a Downer Rail/CRRC joint venture, Hitachi and Stadler Rail were short-listed to build the new fleet.[85][86] Stadler was awarded a contract to build and maintain 42 five-carriage light rail vehicles in January 2020, with deliveries to commence in late 2021 and all trains to be in passenger service by 2024. The new trains will feature next stop audio-visual information displays, Tube-style linear seating to increase capacity, wider doors and aisles, air conditioning, WiFi and charging points.[57][58][87] Following the announcement of the £103 million Metro Flow project, in March 2020, four additional Stadler units have been funded, bringing the total number of units on order from 42 to 46.[63][64]

During September 2020, the Metro Futures website[88] was launched, allowing the public to give their view on several elements of the new Metro fleet.

In December 2021, Nexus revealed that the Metro fleet had entered the final assembly phase at Stadler's factory in Switzerland and that the manufacturer is in the process of fitting the main interior components of the first of the new trains. The works include the installation of wheels, seats, equipment cases, piping, wiring, flooring, windows and other internal furnishings.[89] During September 2022, Nexus released a video taken at Stadler's test track in Erlen of a unit moving under its own power for the first time, prior to beginning full trials.[90]

The first of the new fleet arrived at the Metro depot on 28 February 2023. By August 2024, three of these first nine units delivered had completed their daytime testing and the focus was moving to driver training.[91]

The first unit entered revenue service on 18 December 2024.[92][93] Initially, it will operate a Monday–Friday service on the Yellow line between Monkseaton and Pelaw.[92]

### Ancillary vehicles

[edit]

In addition to passenger trains, the Tyne and Wear Metro also operates three battery-electric locomotives (numbered BL1–BL3), which were manufactured by Hunslet in 1988. The company also operates a Plasser and Theurer ballast tamper and 15 wagons, which are used for maintenance and repair work.

## Ownership

[edit]

The Tyne and Wear Metro is publicly owned, receiving funding from council tax payers and government. Nexus, which owns and manages the Metro, contracted out operations and train maintenance as part of a deal with the government, to secure modernisation investment and operating subsidy for the system between 2010 and 2021. Nexus continued to set fares, frequency of services and operating hours. Opponents would suggest that this arrangement was privatisation by the back door, though some services had already been contracted out, such as cleaning of stations and ticket inspections.[citation needed]

During November 2008, Nexus invited potential bidders to declare an interest in a contract to run the operations side of the business on its behalf. The successful bidder was to obtain a seven-year contract commencing on 1 April 2010, with up to an additional two years depending on performance.[94][95] In February 2009, four bids were shortlisted: DB Regio, MTR Corporation, Serco-Abellio, and an in-house bid from Nexus.[96] By October 2009, the shortlist had been reduced to bids from DB Regio and Nexus.[97]

In December 2009, DB Regio was named as the preferred bidder, with the contract for operating the system signed in February 2010, and the handover of the service taking place in April 2010.[98][99] One of DB Regio's first initiatives was the Metro Dig It programme, and involved the re-painting of stations and deep-cleaning of stations and trains.[100] In February 2010, the government confirmed it would award Nexus up to £580 million to modernise and operate the Tyne and Wear Metro, with up to £350 million to be spent on the Metro: All Change programme, over the course of the following eleven years. A further £230 million would support running and maintenance costs, over the following nine years.[99]

As a result, between 2010 and 2017, the Metro was operated under contract by DB Regio.[101][102]

In March 2016, Nexus announced that they did not intend to renew the contract with DB Regio, following the contract ending in 2017, after stating that they were dissatisfied with the operator due to missed performance targets.[103] During April 2017, Nexus took over direct operation of the system for a planned period of two years, with the intention to re-tender the contract. The RMT trade union, however, has argued that the direct operation should be made permanent, and operation of the system should remain in public ownership.[101][102] As of March 2021, the Tyne and Wear Metro network is still under public ownership, with services operated by Nexus.

## Infrastructure

[edit]

### Stations

[edit]

See also: List of Tyne and Wear Metro stations

The 60 stations on the Tyne and Wear Metro network vary widely in character. Some are former British Rail stations, whilst others were purpose-built for the Metro. Most of the stations are above ground, but several in central Newcastle and Gateshead are underground, namely Central, Jesmond, Haymarket, Monument, Manors, St. James and Gateshead. In Sunderland, Park Lane and Sunderland stations also have underground platforms.[11] Four of the stations on the network, Central, Heworth, Manors and Sunderland, allow for interchange with National Rail services. Sunderland is only one of two stations in the United Kingdom where light and heavy rail services use the same platforms; the other is Rotherham Central, which since 2018 has served both Northern and TransPennine Express, and the Sheffield Supertram network.

Most Metro stations are not routinely staffed. However, the busiest stations in central Newcastle and Sunderland (Haymarket, Monument, Central, Sunderland and Park Lane) are all staffed until late in the evening, and St James, St Peters and Stadium of Light are also staffed on match days. All stations are equipped with ticket machines, shelters and seating, next train information displays, and emergency help points.[11] Ticket machines are able to accept payment with credit and debit card (including contactless payment), notes and coins.[40][41] Automated ticket barriers (at 13 stations), and smart card validators at all stations, were also installed during the first phase of Metro's All Change programme.[42][43] Despite the majority of stations being open to access, the Tyne and Wear Metro has the third-highest level of passenger income per year (£45.2 million in 2013/2014) of the eight light rail networks in England.[65] Regular checks are made by patrols of inspectors, both at stations and on board trains. Passengers caught travelling on the Metro without a ticket are subject to a £100 penalty fare.[104]

In June 2022, it was announced that the installation of tactile paving at all Metro stations had been completed.[105]

Stations

* Haymarket, the first underground Metro station to be refurbished, branded in the new corporate colour scheme.

* St. Peter's, a purpose-built station, constructed in the early 2000s, following the Metro's extension to Wearside.

* Wansbeck Road, a purpose-built station, which opened in May 1981, following the Metro's extension to Bank Foot.

* Whitley Bay, one of the network's former British Rail stations, located on the North Tyneside Loop.

### Bicycles

[edit]

Most stations on the network have cycle racks, with smart cycle lockers located at 21 stations across the network (as of March 2020).[106] Following a trial period in 2016,[107] non-folding bicycles are permitted to travel on Metro between 10:00 and 15:00 and after 19:00 on weekdays, and all day at weekends, between Callerton Parkway and Jesmond, between Manors and Jesmond (via Whitley Bay), and between Gateshead Stadium and South Shields or South Hylton. Non-folding bicycles are not permitted to travel between Callerton Parkway and Airport, between Manors and St James, or between Jesmond and Gateshead Stadium at any time. Folding bicycles are permitted to travel across the entire Metro network, given that they are kept folded and handles/pedals do not pose a danger to passengers.[108][109]

### Tunnels

[edit]

A map of the network in Newcastle and Gateshead. Metro routes are shown in red, with dotted red lines displaying tunnel sections.

Under Newcastle, two routes run underground at right angles to each other, and intersect at Monument, which has four platforms on two levels. The first route, shared by both the Green Line (from South Hylton to Airport) and Yellow Line (from South Shields to St. James), runs from north to south. It heads underground at Jesmond, and runs south through Haymarket, Monument and Central, before rising above ground to cross the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge over the River Tyne. It then enters another tunnel, running underneath Gateshead, serving Gateshead, before rising above ground again before the station at Gateshead Stadium.[110]

The second underground route, part of the Yellow Line (from South Shields to St. James), runs from east to west, heading underground after running east alongside the East Coast Main Line, before serving Manors and Monument, then terminating at St. James.[111] Yellow Line trains pass through Monument twice, once eastbound through the east–west platforms, and then, after running around the North Tyneside Loop, southbound through the north–south platforms before running to South Shields.[2]

The Tyne and Wear Metro is one of the few rapid transit systems in the world with a pretzel configuration, in which a line crosses over itself and trains pass through the same station twice at different platforms. This arrangement also exists at Voorweg on the Randstadrail network in The Hague, and at Serdika, on the Sofia Metro in Bulgaria.[citation needed]

A short spur line, running partly in a tunnel, runs from Manors to Jesmond. The line is used for empty stock movements only, and has no passenger service. Before the Metro tunnels were created, it was part of the main rail route to Newcastle, and connected to the main line at Manors.[110]

The tunnels were constructed in the late 1970s, using mining techniques, and were constructed as single-track tubes with a diameter of 4.75 m (15 ft 7 in).[2] The tunnels under Newcastle were mechanically bored through boulder clay, and lined with cast iron or concrete segments. The tunnel under Gateshead was bored through sandstone and excavated coal seams. Old coal mine workings, some of which dated from the Middle Ages, had to be filled in before the tunnelling began.[17]

### Level crossings

[edit]

Level crossing near Kingston Park station

There are seven level crossings on the Metro network, five of which are operated by Nexus and do not have barriers as the frequency of Metro services would make them impractical. Three others are situated near East Boldon on track shared with Network Rail, and have barriers due to the freight trains and National Rail services that use them.[112]

### Distances

[edit]

Distances on the system are measured from a datum point at South Gosforth.[113] The system is metric, with distances in kilometres, and rounded to the nearest metre. Lines are designated In and Out. The In line runs from St. James to South Shields via the inside of the North Tyneside Loop (via Wallsend then Whitley Bay), with the Out line running in the opposite direction. By extension, the In line runs from Airport to South Gosforth, and from Pelaw to South Hylton.

Distance plates are mounted on all overhead line structures. Different distances are normally quoted for stations, depending on whether the direction of travel is In or Out. Distances increase from the datum in all directions.[114] The part of line between Pelaw and South Hylton owned by Network Rail is dual-marked in both metric units, as well as miles and chains. The boundary between the two systems is located at Pelaw Junction.[115] The closest adjacent stations by distance on the network are St. Peter's and Sunderland, with the furthest apart being Pelaw and Fellgate.

### Electrification

[edit]

The Tyne and Wear Metro is electrified with overhead lines at 1,500 V DC, and is now the only rail network in the United Kingdom to use this system.[10][116] Nexus has stated that its long-term ambition is to convert the electrification of the line between Pelaw and Sunderland, which is shared with heavy rail, to the Network Rail standard of 25 kV 50 Hz AC. However, in doing this, a new fleet of dual-voltage trains would be required.[82][83]

### Signalling

[edit]

Automatic train protection is provided by an Indusi system, braking trains if signals are passed at red, unlike the usual TPWS/AWS used on the wider British mainline system (TPWS/AWS as well as lineside Indusi equipment are fitted to the Sunderland extension).[117] Train control is currently fully driver operated. A positive train identification system controls signals at stations, switches and crossings, while the rest of the network uses standard fixed block signalling with two or three aspect colour light signals. There is a minimum headway of three minutes.[117]

## Ridership

[edit]

During the 1985–86 financial year, the Tyne and Wear Metro carried a total of 59.1 million passengers – the highest figure it has ever achieved. By 1987–88, this had declined to 44.9 million. The decline was attributed to the loss of integration with bus services, following deregulation in 1986, as well as the general decline in public transport use in the area.[9][118] Usage continued to decline during the 1990s, reaching a low of 32.5 million during 2000–01. From the turn of the century, passenger usage rose and stabilised, fluctuating in a range of 35–40 million passengers annually. Prior to 2016–17, the Tyne and Wear Metro consistently ranked as the second-most used tram and light rail network in the United Kingdom, after London's Docklands Light Railway. Ridership significantly fell during the COVID-19 pandemic to an all-time low of 9.4 million in 2020–21. The Metro is the third-most used tram and light rail network in the United Kingdom, after the Docklands Light Railway, closely following the Manchester Metrolink.[118]

Estimated passenger journeys made on Tyne and Wear Metro per financial year (millions)  Year  | Passenger
journeys  |  | Year  | Passenger
journeys  |  | Year  | Passenger
journeys  |  | Year  | Passenger
journeys  |  | Year  | Passenger
journeys  |  | Year  | Passenger
journeys

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1983/84  | 49.8m  |  | 1991/92  | 40.6m  |  | 1999/00  | 32.7m  |  | 2007/08  | 39.8m  |  | 2015/16  | 40.3m  |  | 2023/24  | 30.7m
1984/85  | 57.2m  | 1992/93  | 38.9m  | 2000/01  | 32.5m  | 2008/09  | 40.6m  | 2016/17  | 37.7m  | 2024/25  |
1985/86  | 59.1m  | 1993/94  | 38.3m  | 2001/02  | 33.4m  | 2009/10  | 40.8m  | 2017/18  | 36.4m  | 2025/26  |
1986/87  | 46.4m  | 1994/95  | 37.0m  | 2002/03  | 36.6m  | 2010/11  | 39.9m  | 2018/19  | 36.4m  | 2026/27  |
1987/88  | 44.9m  | 1995/96  | 35.9m  | 2003/04  | 37.9m  | 2011/12  | 37.9m  | 2019/20  | 33.1m  | 2027/28  |
1988/89  | 45.4m  | 1996/97  | 35.4m  | 2004/05  | 36.8m  | 2012/13  | 37.0m  | 2020/21  | 9.4m  | 2027/28  |
1989/90  | 45.5m  | 1997/98  | 35.0m  | 2005/06  | 35.8m  | 2013/14  | 35.7m  | 2021/22  | 24.3m  | 2028/29  |
1990/91  | 43.6m  | 1998/99  | 33.8m  | 2006/07  | 37.9m  | 2014/15  | 38.1m  | 2022/23  | 29.3m  | 2029/30  |
Estimates from the Department for Transport[119]

## Branding and identity

[edit]

The Tyne and Wear Metro has a distinctive design and corporate identity,[120] initially developed to distinguish itself from the antiquated rail system it replaced in the 1980s, as well as to match the livery of the buses operated by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, prior to deregulation in 1986. The Calvert typeface was designed by Margaret Calvert and first used on the Metro; it is used extensively throughout the system, including on the distinctive black M logo on a yellow background. The logo is used to denote the Metro, and is featured on cube signs at station entrances, as well as on board trains, and on station signage.[121]

After the branding identity of the Metro became inconsistent and confused in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nexus employed a local design agency, Gardiner Richardson, to help the organisation to revive the brand.[122] During 2009, as part of the Metro: All Change programme, re-branding began to take place. Re-branding saw an emphasis placed on the Calvert typeface on lettering, signage and maps. It also saw the introduction of a simplified colour scheme of black, white, grey and yellow, to be used on refurbished stations, signage and trains. In 2009, Haymarket was the first station to be refurbished, using the new corporate branding and colour scheme.[123][124]

Branding and signage

* The Metro cube sign – a common sight at stations across the Metro network.

* A platform at Haymarket, branded in the new corporate colour scheme.

* Station signage at Haymarket, branded in the new corporate colour scheme.

* A platform at Jesmond, branded in the original corporate colour scheme.

* Station signage at Jesmond, branded in the original corporate colour scheme.

## Art

[edit]

There are more than 30 pieces of permanent art across the transport network in Tyne and Wear. A number of Metro stations feature commissioned works by various artists, including:[125]

* Haymarket: Canon (2010) by Lothar Goetz[126]
* Jarrow: Jarrow March (1984) by Vince Rea[127]
* Monkseaton: Beach and Shipyards (1983) by Mike Davies[128]
* Monument: Parson's Polygon (1985) by David Hamilton[129]
* Queen Elizabeth II Bridge: Nocturne (2007) by Nayan Kulkarni[130]
* Sunderland: Platform 5 (2011) by Jason Bruges Studio[131][132]
* Wallsend: Pontis (2003) by Michael Pinsky[133]

Art

* Canon (2010)

* Parson's Polygon (1985)

* Pontis (2003)

## See also

[edit]

* List of Tyne and Wear Metro stations
* Transport in Tyne and Wear
* Urban rail in the United Kingdom

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Platforms 1 & 2 opened on 15 November 1981, with platforms 3 & 4 opening the following year.
2. ^ Opened as Smith's Park, being renamed Meadow Well on 10 October 1994.

## References

[edit]

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72. ^ "Tyne and Wear Metro: Stations: Gosforth depot". thetrams.co.uk. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
73. ^ "Work starts on a temporary Metro depot in North Tyneside". Nexus. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
74. ^ "Temporary Metro depot takes shape in North Tyneside". Nexus. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
75. ^ a b "Tyne and Wear Metro: Trains". thetrams.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
76. ^ Southern, Keiran (31 May 2015). "Tyne and Wear Metro celebrates its 40th birthday with a special journey". chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
77. ^ "290 / UVK 290T". tynesideheritagevehicles.co.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
78. ^ "New Metro train colours revealed". Nexus. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
79. ^ O'Donoghue, Dan (20 July 2016). "£1bn plan to improve the Metro approved by North East transport chiefs". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
80. ^ "Budget provides transport boost for Tyne & Wear". North East Times. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
81. ^ "Metro Futures Webinar Q&A" (PDF). Nexus. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
82. ^ a b "Metro bosses unveil plans to extend network, including direct link between Sunderland and South Tyneside". Sunderland Echo. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
83. ^ a b "New trains and expanded network put forward in Tyne and Wear Metro strategy". globalrailnews.com. 20 July 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
84. ^ Pickering, Graeme (2017). Metro's new fleet receives the green light (6–19 December ed.). Rail Magazine. pp. 62–67.
85. ^ "Five bidders invited to negotiate to build a new Metro fleet". Nexus. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
86. ^ "Five shortlisted for new Tyne & Wear Metro fleet – contract worth £362m". The Railway Magazine. No. 1411\. 2018. p. 10.
87. ^ "Tyne and Wear Metro: Swiss firm Stadler to build new fleet". BBC News. 28 January 2020.
88. ^ "metrofutures". metrofutures.org.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
89. ^ "Stadler starts final assembly of the first new Metro train". Nexus. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
90. ^ Holland, Daniel (22 September 2022). "Footage shows new £362m Tyne and Wear Metro trains moving for the first time at Swiss test track". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
91. ^ Holland, Daniel (15 August 2024). "End-of-year roll-out for new Metro fleet". BBC News. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
92. ^ a b "Metro's first new train enters customer service". Nexus. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
93. ^ Robinson, Chris (18 November 2024). "First new Metro train runs after lengthy delays". BBC News, North East and Cumbria. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
94. ^ "Nexus names final two bidders for Metro operations contract". Nexus. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
95. ^ "Meeting Agenda" (PDF). Nexus. 28 January 2010.
96. ^ "Foreign bids for Metro contract". BBC News. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
97. ^ "Final shortlist for Metro service". BBC News. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
98. ^ "DB Regio preferred bidder for Tyne & Wear Metro operating contract". Railway Gazette International. 3 December 2009.
99. ^ a b "£580 Million Funding Gives Metro a World-Class Future". Nexus. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
100. ^ "Metro - Dig It!". Metro - Dig It!. Archived from the original on 3 April 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
101. ^ a b "Tyne and Wear Metro operator contract to end in 2017". BBC News. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
102. ^ a b "Tyne and Wear Metro to be publicly run by Nexus". BBC News. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
103. ^ "Frustrated by Metro delays? You're right to be – report reveals string of missed targets". chroniclelive.co.uk. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
104. ^ "Penalty Fares". Nexus. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
105. ^ White, Chloe (19 June 2022). "Tyne & Wear Metro first railway in England to install tactile paving at every station". RailAdvent.co.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
106. ^ "Cycle lockers". Nexus. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
107. ^ "Metro holds limited trial allowing people to travel with non-folding bikes". Nexus. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
108. ^ "Bikes on Metro trial". Nexus. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
109. ^ "Bikes on Metro". Nexus. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
110. ^ a b "Tyne and Wear Metro: Routes: Pelaw – Gosforth". thetrams.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
111. ^ "Tyne and Wear Metro : Routes: North Tyneside Loop". thetrams.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
112. ^ Meechan, Simon (15 August 2018). "Why Metro level crossings in Newcastle do not have safety barriers". chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
113. ^ "TW Metro Station Distances - a Freedom of Information request to Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive". WhatDoTheyKnow. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
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118. ^ a b "Table LRT0101: Passenger journeys on light rail and trams and undergrounds by system: Great Britain - annual from 1983/84". Department for Transport. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
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121. ^ Meechan, Simon (16 October 2016). "How the Tyne and Wear Metro was made – we go back 36 years to the very beginning". chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
122. ^ "Gardiner Richardson rebrands Tyne and Wear Metro". designweek.co.uk. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
123. ^ "M is for... Metro (Calvert Typeface and the Nexus Tyne and Wear Public Transport Visual Identity)". The Beauty of Transport. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
124. ^ "Nexus to invest £40m in Metro modernisation over the next 12 months". Nexus. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
125. ^ "Art on transport". Nexus. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
126. ^ "'Canon' by Lothar Goetz". Nexus. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
127. ^ "'Jarrow March' by Vince Rea". Nexus. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
128. ^ "'Beach & Shipyards' by Mike Davies". Nexus. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
129. ^ "'Parsons Polygon' by David Hamilton". Nexus. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
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## Further reading

[edit]

* Howard, D. F. (1976). "Tyne and Wear Metro—A Modern Rapid Transit System". Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. 190: 121–136\. doi:10.1243/PIME_PROC_1976_190_017_02.
* Kelly, Peter (December 1981 – January 1982). "A line for all Geordies". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 48–51\. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
* Brown, Murray (June 1984). "Metro miracle is complete". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 23–25\. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
* Etherington, Robin (6–19 April 1989). "New liveries for Tyne & Wear Metro". RAIL. No. 93\. EMAP National Publications. p. 10\. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.
* Haigh, Phil (3–16 December 1997). "Geordie's canny Metro heads for Wearside". RAIL. No. 319\. EMAP Apex Publications. pp. 30–34\. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tyne and Wear Metro.

KML file (edit • help)

Template:Attached KML/Tyne and Wear Metro

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* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Tyne and Wear Metro

Stations|

| Green line|

* Airport
* Callerton Parkway
* Bank Foot
* Kingston Park
* Fawdon
* Wansbeck Road
* Regent Centre
* South Gosforth
* Ilford Road
* West Jesmond
* Jesmond
* Haymarket
* Monument
* Central Station
* Gateshead
* Gateshead Stadium
* Felling
* Heworth
* Pelaw
* Fellgate
* Brockley Whins
* East Boldon
* Seaburn
* Stadium of Light
* St Peter's
* Sunderland
* Park Lane
* University
* Millfield
* Pallion
* South Hylton

|

Yellow line|

* St James
* Monument
* Manors
* Byker
* Chillingham Road
* Walkergate
* Wallsend
* Hadrian Road
* Howdon
* Percy Main
* Meadow Well
* North Shields
* Tynemouth
* Cullercoats
* Whitley Bay
* Monkseaton
* West Monkseaton
* Shiremoor
* Northumberland Park
* Palmersville
* Benton
* Four Lane Ends
* Longbenton
* South Gosforth
* Ilford Road
* West Jesmond
* Jesmond
* Haymarket
* Monument
* Central Station
* Gateshead
* Gateshead Stadium
* Felling
* Heworth
* Pelaw
* Hebburn
* Jarrow
* Bede
* Simonside
* Tyne Dock
* Chichester
* South Shields

Operations|

| Depots|

* Howdon
* South Gosforth

|

Operators|

* Nexus (1980–2010, 2017–present)
* Arriva UK Trains (2010–2017)

Rolling stock|

* Class 555 Metro (2024–present)
* Class 599 Metrocar (1980–present)

Related
topics|

| Proposed
stations|

* Follingsby
* Washington North
* Washington South

|

See also|

* Karlsruhe model
* North Tyneside Loop
* Stadtbahnwagen B
* Tyneside Electrics

* Light rail transit systems
* Transport in Tyne and Wear

* v
* t
* e

UK light rail systems

Tramways|

| Current|

* Blackpool Tramway
* Edinburgh Trams
* London Trams
* Manchester Metrolink
* Nottingham Express Transit
* South Yorkshire Supertram
* West Midlands Metro

|

Proposed|

* Coventry Very Light Rail
* South Wales Metro
* West Yorkshire
* Wirral Street Car

Cancelled|

* Abbey Line
* Bristol Supertram
* CITI Belfast
* Cross River Tram
* Leeds Supertram
* Merseytram
* Penistone Line Tram-Train
* Sutton Link
* West London Tram

Metro|

| Current|

* Docklands Light Railway
* Glasgow Subway
* Tyne and Wear Metro

|

Proposed|

* North and West London Light Railway
* West London Orbital

People mover|

* Birmingham Air-Rail Link
* Gatwick Airport Shuttle Transit
* Heathrow Terminal 5 Transit
* Stansted Airport Transit System
* Luton DART

Preserved|

* Beamish Museum
* Black Country Living Museum
* East Anglia Transport Museum
* Great Orme Tramway
* Heaton Park Tramway
* National Tramway Museum
* Seaton Tramway
* Summerlee Museum
* Telford steam tram
* Wirral Transport Museum
* Wirral Tramway

* v
* t
* e

Local rail transport in the United Kingdom

Metros|

* Docklands Light Railway (London)
* Glasgow Subway
* London Underground
* Night Tube
* Tyne and Wear Metro

Tramways|

* Blackpool
* Edinburgh
* Greater Manchester
* Nottingham
* South Yorkshire
* South London
* West Midlands

Mainline railways|

* Belfast
* Birmingham
* Bristol
* Cardiff
* Edinburgh
* Exeter
* Glasgow
* Leeds and Bradford
* Liverpool
* London
* London Overground
* Elizabeth line
* Manchester

* v
* t
* e

Rapid transit in Europe

Armenia

* Yerevan Metro

Austria

* Vienna U-Bahn

Azerbaijan

* Baku Metro

Belarus

* Minsk Metro

Belgium

* Brussels Metro

Bulgaria

* Sofia Metro

Czech Republic

* Prague Metro

Denmark

* Copenhagen Metro

Finland

* Helsinki Metro

France

* Lille Metro
* Lyon Metro
* Marseille Metro
* Paris Métro
* Rennes Metro
* Toulouse Metro

Georgia

* Tbilisi Metro

Germany

* Berlin U-Bahn
* Hamburg U-Bahn
* Munich U-Bahn
* Nuremberg U-Bahn

Greece

* Athens Metro
* Thessaloniki Metro

Hungary

* Budapest Metro

Italy

* Brescia Metro
* Catania Metro
* Genoa Metro
* Milan Metro
* Naples Metro
* Rome Metro
* Turin Metro

Netherlands

* Amsterdam Metro
* Rotterdam Metro

Norway

* Oslo Metro

Poland

* Warsaw Metro

Portugal

* Lisbon Metro

Romania

* Bucharest Metro
* Cluj-Napoca Metro

Russia

* Kazan Metro
* Moscow Metro
* Nizhny Novgorod Metro
* Novosibirsk Metro
* Saint Petersburg Metro
* Samara Metro
* Yekaterinburg Metro

Serbia

* Belgrade Metro

Spain

* Barcelona Metro
* Bilbao metro
* Madrid Metro
* Palma Metro
* San Sebastián Metro
* Seville Metro
* Valencia Metro

Sweden

* Stockholm Metro

Switzerland

* Lausanne Métro

Turkey

* Adana Metro
* Ankara Metro
* Bursaray
* Gebze Metro
* Istanbul Metro
* İzmir Metro
* Konya Metro
* Mersin Metro

Ukraine

* Dnipro Metro
* Kharkiv Metro
* Kyiv Metro

United Kingdom

* Docklands Light Railway
* Glasgow Subway
* London Underground
* Tyne and Wear Metro

Italics: under construction.

* v
* t
* e

Community of Metros benchmarking organization members

Asia|

* Bangalore Metro
* Bangkok MRT
* Beijing Subway
* Chennai Metro
* Delhi Metro
* Dubai Metro
* Guangzhou Metro
* Hong Kong MTR
* Jakarta MRT
* Nanjing Metro
* Rapid Kuala Lumpur
* Seoul Metro
* Shanghai Metro
* Shenzhen Metro
* Singapore MRT
* Taipei Metro
* Tehran Metro
* Tokyo Metro

Europe|

* Barcelona Metro
* Berlin U-Bahn
* Brussels Metro
* Istanbul Metro
* Lisbon Metro
* London DLR
* London Underground
* Madrid Metro
* Oslo Metro
* Paris Métro
* Paris RER
* Tyne and Wear Metro

Americas|

* Atlanta MARTA
* Bay Area Rapid Transit
* Buenos Aires Underground
* Honolulu Skyline
* Mexico City Metro
* Montreal Metro
* New York City Subway
* New Jersey / New York PATH
* Ottawa O-Train
* Rio de Janeiro Metro
* Santiago Metro
* São Paulo Metro
* Toronto subway
* Vancouver SkyTrain
* Washington Metro

Oceania|

* Sydney Metro

* v
* t
* e

Airport rail links and people mover systems in the United Kingdom

Rail and metro links

In service|

| London airports|

* London City Airport
* Docklands Light Railway
* Gatwick Airport
* Brighton Main Line
* Gatwick Express
* Heathrow Airport
* Heathrow Express
* Elizabeth line
* Piccadilly line
* Luton Airport
* Thameslink
* East Midlands Railway
* Luton Airport Express
* London Southend Airport
* Shenfield–Southend line
* London Stansted Airport
* West Anglia Main Line
* Stansted Express

|

Airports outside London|

* Birmingham Airport
* Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line
* Edinburgh Airport
* Edinburgh Trams
* Manchester Airport
* Airport Line
* Styal Line
* Newcastle International Airport
* Tyne & Wear Metro
* RailAir
* Southampton Airport
* South West Main Line

Under construction/proposed|

* Bristol Airport Rail Link
* Glasgow Airport Rail Link
* Heathrow Airport transport proposals
* Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway railway station

Defunct|

* Birmingham Maglev
* Edinburgh Airport Rail Link
* Heathrow Connect
* TfL Rail

Automated people movers

In service|

* Birmingham Airport
* Air-Rail Link
* Gatwick Airport
* Gatwick Airport Shuttle Transit
* Heathrow Airport
* Heathrow Terminal 5 Transit
* Ultra (rapid transit)
* Luton Airport
* Luton DART
* London Stansted Airport
* Stansted Airport Transit System

Under construction/proposed|

* Birmingham Airport
* HS2 automated people mover

* Rail transport in the United Kingdom
* Air transport in the United Kingdom

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*[e]: Edit this template