00:00Proposed changes to Tyne and Wim metro fares have prompted debate about affordability.
00:05for passengers and financial pressures on the network's operator nexus the plans in
00:10code a cap on the cost of longer journeys for passengers using a pop card alongside
00:15fare increases for some shorter trips papers considered by the labor-led north
00:20east combined authority indicate the cap would cost approximately a million pounds
00:25to subsidize for a year newcastle liberal democrat councillor greg stone said the cap would
00:30benefit some passengers but warned that it could worsen nexus's already uncomfortable financial
00:35acquisition the northeast mayor's office says the pricing package is designed to boost usage
00:40and made public transport more affordable across the region stating i want everyone in the north
00:45east to be able to use public transport so we need to make it cheaper nexus has
00:50said the revised fares are intended to make the metro more attractive increased passenger numbers
00:55and help cover running costs finance reports have previously highlighted inflation and
01:00lower post-pandemic passenger levels which were expected to require more than 25 million pounds
01:05from reserves between 2025 and 2029 more recent figures suggest
01:10that estimate has fallen to around 18 million pounds according to the local democracy report
01:15reporting service even with the projected additional revenue of about 700 000 pounds
01:20the authority would still need to cover shortfalls a decision on the fair change
01:25is expected following consideration by the combined authority
01:30of the
Comments