Additional Tyne and Wear Metro trains will be running on the network to transport fans to and from Ed Sheeran's upcoming concerts at the Stadium of Light.
Ed's gigs on Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4 will be one of the busiest events of 2022 for the Metro network. While a reduced bank holiday timetable will be in operation on Friday June 3 for the Queen's Jubilee, Nexus says extra Metro trains will run from 4pm on both Friday and Saturday to get fans to the Stadium of Light. It has also arranged later than usual trains, with some services after midnight towards Newcastle.
To speed up ticket buying, machines will have an "Ed Sheeran button" which customers can press to get a ticket that will take them to St Peters and the Stadium of Light Metro stations.
Read more: What you can and can't take with you to Ed Sheeran's Sunderland gigs
Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “The operation we have in place for the Ed Sheeran concerts is the biggest of its kind in the country this weekend. We are expecting our busiest two days of the year so far, and we will be running Metros beyond the end of normal service to ensure that concert-goers can get home.
“It is fantastic that Sunderland is welcoming Ed Sheeran at Stadium of Light and we are proud that Metro is to play a part in such big events for our region.
“My advice to customers is to leave plenty of time for your journey as Metro trains will be busy and to purchase using the dedicated Ed Sheeran day tickets in advance, which is valid for the whole day, to avoid queuing at ticket machines after the concert.
“We will have lots of customer support teams on hand at stations in Newcastle city centre and at stations heading towards Sunderland before each concert, and staff at stations in Sunderland after the concerts who will be able to provide advice and assistance to ensure that fans get to the venue and home quickly and safely.
“The Stadium of Light is only a short walk or Metro ride from Sunderland city centre with many exciting bars and restaurants, so there’s every reason to travel early and make it a big day out in Sunderland on the bank holiday weekend.
“The extra and extended Metro services will help make life easier for our customers and allow them to make the most of their experience seeing the Ed Sheeran performing live.”
Tyne Wear Metro timetable for Ed Sheeran at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Additional trains will run from 4pm on both Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4 for the Ed Sheeran concerts. Nexus says "trains will be running beyond the normal end of service to help people get home to all parts of the system".
Amended timetables can be viewed here - head to the "revised timetables" for Ed Sheeran's concerts to view them. There are trains from Sunderland back to Newcastle after midnight.
Fans are advised to use St Peter's and the Stadium of Light stations.
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