The Tyne and Wear Metro could be heading for another fare rise, as transport bosses warn the network faces a £5 million deficit. Nexus managing director Cathy Massarella told councillors the organisation’s financial position is “difficult,” warning that without action to boost income, services could become unsustainable.
00:00Nexus Manager Director Cathy Massarella told councillors the organisation's financial position is difficult,
00:07warning that without action to boost income, services could become unsustainable.
00:12Nexus, which operates the Metro and the Shields Ferry, says it needs to maximise revenue from ticket sales and other sources to plug the shortfall.
00:21The warning comes as the operator rolls out a £362m new fleet of Swiss-built trains due to be fully in service by the end of 2026
00:31and secures funding for both the planned Washington Metro extension and a major upgrade of its age and signalling system.
00:39Fares last increased in June this year by an average of 4.6% after a delay caused by last winter's Gateshead flyover disruption.
00:47That rise pushed the maximum single Metro fare to £4.70.
00:53A long-awaited upgrade to the Popcard is due next year, allowing passengers to travel seamlessly across the Metro, buses, the Shields Ferry and the new North Fumbling Line trains.
01:04Nexus says it's still finalising its 2026 fare proposals, which will be put to the North East Combined Authority for approval once complete.
01:12Commercial director Helen Matthews said the funding situation remains challenging
01:17and that Nexus is developing a plan for growth to generate more income from non-fair commercial opportunities.
01:25She added that the Metro is a public service that doesn't make a profit, relying on support from both central and local government,
01:32alongside fair revenue, to keep the system running.
01:35For now, passengers await confirmation of whether higher fares will be part of the price to keep the region's vital Metro network on track.
Be the first to comment