New Tyne and Wear Metro Fleet is Back in Service

The new Tyne and Wear Metro Fleet that was temporarily suspended from service are now back in service, after resolving an issue with the new doors.

Transcript

00:00The Tyne and Weir Metrol's new Stadler-built trains are back in service after being temporarily

00:05withdrawn due to a fault of the train doors. Nexus, which operates the Metrol, worked closely

00:10with manufacturer Stadler to identify and fix the issue swiftly, ensuring the new fleet meets all

00:16safety and operational standards. Part of a £362 million investment, the new trains boast modern

00:23features such as air conditioning, improved accessibility, USB charging points and more

00:29spacious seating. The full rollout is expected to be by the end of 2026, with several units already

00:35in service following rigorous testing. However, the door fault has raised concerns among passengers

00:41and community groups. One local group representing frequent Metrol users has publicly demanded answers

00:48from Nexus, claiming the setback reflects poor planning and communication. They argue that

00:55passengers deserve more transparency, especially after years of anticipation surrounding the new

01:00fleet. Nexus has acknowledged the frustration and emphasised that TV problems are not unusual during

01:07the early stages of new train deployment. They've committed to ongoing dialogue with the community

01:13and promised regular updates as the rollout continues.

01:15Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus said, I know this temporary pause was disappointing,

01:23but we don't expect this to have any impact on the overall rollout timescales. I'd like to thank

01:28our customers for their patience and understanding on this matter. Despite the rocky start, Metro officials

01:35maintain confidence that the new trains will deliver a more reliable and comfortable service,

01:40help them to modernise one of the UK's busiest light rail networks.