Yahoo News Tyne and Wear Metro bosses claim 'good progress' on fixing problem with new train fleet
Metro bosses say they are making “good progress” in fixing a problem that has delayed the introduction of the network’s long-awaited new trains – but are still unable to commit to a start date.
Tyne and Wear Metro passengers have been left frustrated by a series of delays that has hampered the arrival of the Swiss-made fleet. The Stalder-built carriages were meant to begin entering passenger service in summer of 2023 but, while seven of the 46 ordered are now in the North East, none are in use.
The latest problem emerged in January, when it was revealed that an issue with the trains’ traction system meant that they would have to be subjected to more testing. Three months on from that setback, Metro operator Nexus said it had made headway in dealing with the problem.
However, the publicly-owned transport body says it is still merely aiming to have the first of the new trains in service before the end of 2024 and has not set a more specific date for their introduction. The Metro’s existing trains have been running for more than 40 years and have become increasingly unreliable, resulting in regular delays and breakdowns.
Michael Richardson, head of fleet and depot replacement at Nexus, said: “Testing the new Tyne and Wear Metro fleet is going well as we get ready to put the first trains into service for customers. A traction issue which was identified in January remains the subject of rigorous testing and we have made good progress. We continue to work with Stadler on this.
“The wider testing process also continues as we get ready to put the first new trains into service before the end of 2024. We were delighted to receive a further two new trains from the Stadler factory in Switzerland earlier this month, bringing the total number delivered up to seven. Stadler has now built 23 Metro trains, half of the total fleet it is delivering.
“When the next phase of testing begins, customers will get to see the new trains on the Metro network during the day as we carry out a programme of kilometre accumulation and fault-free running, to put the train through its paces by simulating customer service.
“Our new fleet is a bespoke design for Metro by Stadler. Before entering customer service around 22,000 standards and clauses must be complied with, 90,000 individual tests completed, and 480 of our people given extensive training. All of this is to ensure that the new trains work safely and seamlessly with Metro’s 60 stations and 77km of track.”
The arrival of a new fleet of trains has long been touted as a transformational moment for the Metro. As well as being more reliable and environmentally friendly than the ailing carriages that have served Tyne and Wear since 1980, they will boast a range of modern features such as air conditioning, USB charging points and improved CCTV.
A lack of functioning carriages was one key factor in the network recording its worst ever punctuality figures during a four-week period in late 2023. Just 61% of Metro services arrived on time in the four weeks to December 9, a record low, though the situation has since improved.
