'Unfortunate' rail tickets increase gets green light

A fare hike for Tyne and Wear Metro passengers will come into force in April 2021, after being signed off by councillors.

Thecostofanadultsingleor all-dayticketisgoingupby10p, weekly passes by a maximum of 20p, four-week tickets by up to80p,andannualpassesbyno more than £7 from April 1.

The fare increases amount to an overall 1.6% rise, in line with inflation, after Metro operatorNexusoptedagainstimposing a harsher increase that would have helped cover more of the heavy losses incurred during the covid pandemic.

Papers presented to the North East Joint Transport Committee’s Tyne and Wear Sub-Committee revealed that analternativeplantohiketicket prices by 4.6% was deemed “detrimental” to hopes of attracting people back to public transport once lockdown restrictions are eased, though the prospect of a blanket price freeze was “not considered to be affordable”.

The Metro has needed almost£40millionworthofGovernment grants to keep trains running since the pandemic hit and that funding is due to run out in April.

Ticket prices are being frozen for under-18s as well as for elderlyordisabledpassengers who have a Gold Card.

Gateshead councillor John McElroy told the meeting that “nobody ever wants to raise fares”, particularly during the pandemic crisis.

Committee chair Cllr GladysHobsonaddedthattheGovernment had wanted fares to beincreasedfurtherthanNexus was proposing.

Coun Joyce McCarty, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, said that while the fare rise was an “unfortunate decision”, she felt the proposalsdidprotecttheelderly,disabled, and children.