North east political leaders have urged central Government to provide urgent cash support to protect the future of the Tyne and Wear Metro and its local jobs and public services in light of the continuing Coronavirus crisis. Passenger numbers on the Metro have fallen by 90% in recent weeks but a service continues to operate for the benefit of NHS and other key workers to move around.
Local politicians across the Tyne and Wear region have warned that the Metro network faces a financial crisis which could see the lifeline service cut and jobs lost if the Government does not step in to assist.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council and Chair of the North East’s Joint Transport Committee, said: “The Government has bailed out the rail industry and bus firms, but seems reluctant to do the same for Metro, despite it forming the backbone of our local public transport networks. Metro plays a huge role in the local economy but we urgently need the Government to confirm in writing that it will provide financial support in the same way that it has been prepared to do for bus and national rail operators. Failure to do so could lead to long-term service reductions and job losses, at a time when North East England has never needed Metro more. We have already taken swift action with Nexus and our county councils in Durham and Northumberland to support bus companies in our region by guaranteeing £53m in future payments, which the Government has backed with its own commitments. I welcome this quick response but in committing millions of pounds of public money into sustaining bus networks, Nexus itself now faces an enormous challenge keeping Metro going, not just for key workers today but in the long term for millions more people who will need it as our economy recovers.”
It is said that Nexus will need £10 million before July to cover the shortfall in passenger numbers and further support after that depending on the pace of recovery. Usually two thirds of its operating costs are met by fares and other revenue including advertising income with the remainder coming from a government subsidy.
Cllr Gannon has written to Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, urging him to confirm immediately that the Metro will be protected from the financial impact of Coronavirus.