00:00For the first time in almost a decade, new ticket barriers are being introduced on the Tyne and Weir Metro,
00:05with Regent Centre Station in Newcastle becoming the first to receive the upgrade.
00:09The installation is already underway, and it's part of a wider strategy aimed at making the Metro network safer, more modern and more secure.
00:17Metro operator Nexus says the new gate lines will help to reduce fare evasion, improve the flow of passengers through stations,
00:23and enhance safety for both staff and the travelling public.
00:26The new system will only allow access to platforms for those with valid tickets or smart cards.
00:31The project is backed by a £2.1 million investment from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness.
00:37She says the changes are about more than ticket checks, they're about helping people feel safe when using public transport.
00:43In a statement, the Mayor said she regularly hears from women and girls who don't feel comfortable or secure travelling on the network, particularly at quieter times.
00:52She's described this investment as the beginning of a broader plan to address those concerns.
00:58The new barriers at Regent Centre are expected to be operational by the end of the year.
01:03Nexus says more Metro stations are being assessed for similar upgrades,
01:07although the operator has confirmed it won't be possible to install gates across the entire network.
01:12Currently, only 13 of the Metro's 60 stations have gates, including major city stops like Central Station, Monument and North Shields.
01:24The last to be added was at Chichester back in 2015.
01:28Alongside the gates, other planned improvements include better lighting, upgraded CCTV and the replacement of rundown bus shelters across the region.
01:35For Metro users, it's a sign of long-term investment, with passenger safety, accessibility and reliability now firmly in focus.
01:44And not only 50 h profiles.
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