Half of New Tyne and Wear Metro Fleet Now in Service
A year after the first new Tyne and Wear Metro train entered service, half of the upgraded fleet is now operating, marking a major milestone in the £362 million transformation project.
Metro operator Nexus has made 23 of the 46 new Stadler trains available for customer service, bringing the network closer to its goal of a typical weekday service of 28 trains. The full fleet is expected to be in operation by the end of 2026, with all 46 trains scheduled to arrive in North East England early next year.
Each new train undergoes detailed testing before entering service, while the 45-year-old fleet is gradually being phased out.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
"I know Metro passengers want every train they catch to be a new one, and so do I. I want Metro to provide local people with a world-class service once again, and we’re investing millions to make that happen. Today is another step forward. The teams at Nexus and Stadler are pulling out all the stops to make this a reality but I have asked them to accelerate this programme so that by this summer you won’t see old trains at your station."
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director at Nexus, said:
"I’m pleased to say that we have met our target of having half the new Metro train fleet available for customer service before the end of this year. This is another significant milestone for the project, which is the biggest and most complex in Metro’s history. We put the first Stadler Metro train into service in the same week in December last year, and now, one year on, we have delivered on our aim of reaching 23 out of the 46 new trains on our order available for service. A huge amount of work has gone into the roll out programme. That hard work will continue from here so that we can get all the new trains in service next year. The new fleet is transformative for our customers, and also for our own teams who work on the system every day to keep it running. It provides a bright future for Metro, ensuring that the service will be around to serve our region for many years to come. My thanks go to all of the team at Nexus and at Stadler for helping us to deliver this latest milestone, which comes just a few days after we confirmed the completion of our driver training programme on the new fleet."
Lucius Gerig, Head of Division Switzerland at Stadler, said:
"We’re proud that half of the fleet is in service and that we’re right on schedule. So far, 40 trains have been delivered to the UK. Production of the final train was completed in December, and by spring next year, the entire fleet will be in North East England. This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and partners to delivering a modern, reliable Metro system."
The rollout of the new fleet promises a modernised Metro service for passengers and improved working conditions for staff, while signalling a long-term commitment to public transport in the North East.
Image: Nexus