Tyne and Wear Metro to increase service frequency

It was the first network to reduce its service frequency and now the Tyne and Wear Metro is set to be the first to return to something closely resembling a normal timetable. From Monday 18th May the daytime service frequency will be back to normal levels with a doubling of services from every 24 minutes to every 12 minutes on all routes.

It is planned that at peak times there will be a train every 3 minutes between Pelaw and Regent Centre and from Pelaw to Monkseaton – making the Tyne and Wear Metro one of the most frequency train services in the country. Nexus have made the decision to increase services to aid social distancing throughout the day, as per government recommendations.

Martin Kearney, Nexus’ Chief Operating Officer, said: “The safety of customers is our top priority and we are following Government advice to create a Covid-secure environment on the Metro system. By putting more trains into service at busy times we can maximise the space that we have for social distancing. The new timetable will deliver a 12-minute frequency of service. There will be a train every three minutes through the central area between Pelaw and South Gosforth at peak times. This gives us more capacity and takes us back to pre-lockdown levels of service at busy times. People are advised to take Metro only where a journey is essential, such as for work if you cannot do so from home, and where you can’t walk, cycle or use a car. If you do have to travel then you need to follow social distancing rules, stay two metres apart as much as possible, and wear a face covering at all times. We have made sure Metro stations and trains are cleaned to the highest standard, and that there is clear information on how to distance as you travel.”

The new timetable will see:

Monday to Friday

Start of service to 2000: Trains every 12 minutes

2000 to end of service: Trains every 30 minutes on each route

Saturday

All day: Trains every 24 minutes on each route giving a 12 minute frequency in the central area

Sunday

All day: Trains every 30 minutes on each route giving a 15 minute frequency in the central area

As above, whilst the frequency is increasing Nexus are still remining potential passengers to only travel if there is no other option. Anyone who does travel is also being recommended to wear a face covering to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

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