Criticism for Metro service
Passenger numbers on the Metro fell last year – despite an increase in the amount of cash raised from ticket sales.
Travellers made 36.4million journeys on the service in 2017/18, a decrease of 3.5% on the year before, according to figures release by the Department for Transport.
At the same time, revenue increased to £50.9million, up by 0.7%.
Coun Niall Hodson, the leader of Sunderland City Council’s (SCC) Liberal Democrats, slammed the numbers, blaming regular delays and poor timetabling.
He said: “Residents across Sunderland complain of frequent delays and cancellations, which can be a nightmare for commuters and a nuisance for passengers getting out and about.”
This view was backed up by Coun Peter Wood, transport secretary for SCC’s Conservatives, who claimed Sunderland was being made to play second fiddle to Newcastle.
Both parties have urged Nexus, the Metro’s operator, andtheNorthEastCombined Authority (NECA) to do more to improve the service.
Coun Michael Mordey, deputy leader of SCC and a member of the NECA Transport North East Committee, said: “NECA and other decision-makers on transport in our region are very aware of what has been happening with passenger numbers.
“We are investing in a Metro fleet, but more can be done, such as better stations and expanding the network, and there is already a plan.”
A Nexus spokesman said: “There has been a fall in local rail journeys in many cities in the last year, reflecting changes in shopping and work habits.”