More Metros will run to allow social distancing

FINAL designs for the new £362m Tyne and Wear Metro trains have been delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillors heard on Thursday afternoon that progress on delivering the long-awaited new trains had slowed during the global pandemic – but Metro bosses say they are “confident” they can make up the lost time.

The new fleet, initial concept images for which were revealed earlier this year, is due to be built in Switzerland by manufacturing

METROS will begin to run more frequently to “maximise the capacity for social distancing” on trains.

Nexus has announced that the Tyne and Wear Metro will return to a normal daytime service frequency from Monday.

They are increasing the frequency of Metro services from 24 minutes to 12 minutes until 8pm every day, Monday to Friday, following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

In peak travel periods there will be a train every three minutes between Pelaw and Regent Centre and Pelaw and Monkseaton, making Metro among the most frequent train services in the country – and creating space for customers to follow the two-metre social distancing rule, where possible.

People are however still being advised to take the Metro only where the journey is essential and if you can’t walk, cycle or use a car.

Chief Operating Officer at Nexus, Martin Kearney, said: “The safety of customers is our top priority and we recruitment of key personnel to drive that project on.

“It is also fair to say that while the two teams here in the North East of England and Switzerland have been liaising with each other using medium like Microsoft Teams, the progress in terms of moving the design forward has probably been a little less than we would have expected had we not had to encounter the Covid-19 emergency.

“We are confident that we can make up time and that project is definitely still going ahead and we absolutely need to ensure that we do make up that time.”

He added that “really good are following Government advice to create a Covid-secure environment on the Metro system.

“By putting more trains into service at busy times we can maximise the space that we have for social distancing. The new timetable will deliver a 12-minute frequency of service. There will be a train every three minutes through the central area between Pelaw and South Gosforth at peak times. This gives us more capacity and takes us back to prelockdown levels of service at busy times.

“People are advised to take Metro only where a journey is essential, such as for work if you cannot do so from home, and where you can’t walk, cycle or use a car. If you do have to travel then you need to follow social distancing rules, stay two metres apart as much as possible, and wear a face covering at all times.

“We have made sure Metro stations and trains are cleaned to the highest standard, and there is clear information on how to distance as you travel.”

Metro will continue to operate a reduced timetable on weekday evenings from 8pm and all day at weekends.

giant Stadler. But Nexus finance chief John Fenwick has confirmed that the coronavirus crisis has slowed progress on finalising the design of the modern carriages, which will boast features such as Wi-Fi and air conditioning. The first of the new trains should be in use on Tyne and Wear tracks by summer 2023 and all of the current, outdated stock replaced by the end of 2024. Mr Fenwick told the North East Joint Transport Committee’s Tyne and Wear sub-committee: “It is fair to say that Stadler Rail did have one or two issues and problems when Covid-19 hit in terms of the Designs for Stadlers fleet of new Tyne and Wear Metro trains progress” was being made with the construction of a temporary Metro maintenance depot in Howdon, where construction has continued with social distancing measures in place. The site will be used to help keep trains running and roll out the new fleet while the existing Gosforth depot is redeveloped. The new Metro trains will also be fitted with an on-board battery which means they could run even in the event of an overhead line fault. Carriages will also have USB charging points, Wi-Fi connectivity, air conditioning, and an automatic sliding step at every door to make access easier.