The first of the new Tyne and Wear Metro trains has suffered a “technical glitch” that has delayed its arrival in the North East for a second time.
Transport chiefs had hoped that they would be welcoming the first of the £362m fleet this week, having already seen it pushed back from December. But it has instead had to be taken back to manufacturer Stadler’s factory in Switzerland after experiencing a fault as it set off on its journey to the UK.
Metro operator Nexus insisted that the setback would “not affect the overall programme of delivering the new Metro train fleet”, with 46 new trains expected to arrive by early 2025 to replace the outdated carriages that have served passengers here for more than 40 years. Once the train finally arrives here, it will still be some time before passengers can actually set foot on it – with autumn of this year being targeted for it to enter passenger service, after local testing and driver training is complete.
