The number of Tyne and Wear Metro trains running at peak commuter times has been slashed.
North East transport bosses have confirmed that they are axeing the extra trains that run during morning and evening peaks, claiming that they are no longer needed as the number of people still working from home after the Covid-19 pandemic has reduced demand. While it is hoped that the move will also mean less strain is put on the Metro’s ageing carriages before a new £362m fleet is put into service, a passenger group warned the cuts will leave trains around Newcastle city centre more crowded.
The Sort out the Metro group said it had “believed for some time that a reduction in service was inevitable” because of the deteriorating condition of the trains that have served Tyne and Wear for more than 40 years, while some passengers complained on social media that morning trains are already “rammed”. Metro operator Nexus announced on Friday that removing the Pelaw to Monkseaton trains would mean a “more reliable” service, albeit less frequent, with a train running through central Newcastle every six minutes and every 12 minutes on the outer parts of the network.
