Nexus has finalised the design options for the interior of the new Stadler built trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro network after one of the most far-reaching public consultations the global rail industry has seen. 23,000 responses were received from customers, employees and specialist user groups which has resulted in comprehensive improvements and option selection compared to the original design.
The consultation has seen extra seats added while the look and feel of doors, handholds, wheelchair spaces, cycle storage, seat fabric, internal artwork and branding. The final design meets rail industry standards for safety and accessibility and is aimed at transforming the journey experience.
Neil Blagburn, Metro Development Director, said: “We’re really excited to reveal the final interior design for the new Metro train fleet. We’ve listened to the views of thousands of people during the consultation process and we have acted on that feedback by making changes to a range of the interior features. We have added 12 more tip-seats seats to the carriages, a more bespoke space for wheelchairs, and double grab poles. The poles and handrails will all be in the distinctive yellow Metro colour scheme. The seats will be made from a hard-wearing material and will have a sleek grey colour. They were designed by our very own in-house team and they will incorporate the iconic ‘M’ logo in the Calvert font that we use on all Metro signage. Lockdown meant that the entire consultation process had to be done differently, and an array of online tools were used capture a record number of responses for what is the biggest project since the Metro opened 40 years ago. Stadler said it was the most far-reaching customer consultation they had ever known. Now that the interior designs are finalised the next step will be Stadler starting to build the new trains. This process is scheduled to begin in August. It’s another step on the road towards the new Metro fleet. When the new trains start entering service it will mark the start of a bright new future for the Tyne and Wear Metro.”
The final interior design will include:
- Open plan layout based on linear seating with stand-back areas at each door to aid circulation and create more rooms for passengers at busy times. The number of seats rises from 104 to 116 with the introduction of 12 tip seats in each train. (Current trains have 128 seats although with the planned increase in services from five to six an hour there will be a net increase of 56 seats each hour).
- Four dedicated wheelchair spaces, matching the number in the current fleet, plus two multi-use areas suitable for non-folding bicycles, children’s buggies and luggage. These areas have tip seats to provide flexible space for different customer needs through the day.
- Sliding step at each door to aid boarding and alighting
- Digital information screens at key locations throughout the carriage, in addition to central “strip” screens with “next stop” text and audio facilities. The screens will be visible from 90% of all seats and 100% of priority seats.
A number of changes were made to the final design following the consultation:
- Handrails in wheelchair areas: The draft design featured cushioned perch positions along the walls behind the wheelchair areas. This has been changed to a horizontal handrail based on feedback from wheelchair users.
- Wall finishings: The colour of wall panels was lightened to provide greater contrast with floors, at the suggestion of Customer Service staff.
- Double grab poles: A double pole with two parallel vertical bars at hand height was the preferred option with passengers from three alternatives offered at consultation.
- Seat and divider decal: A final pattern for seat coverings and glass divider decals incorporating the iconic “M” logo was created by Nexus Graphic Design team, based on consultation feedback.
- Colouring of floor markings: Floor markings for wheelchair and multi-use spaces have been changed from white to yellow based on feedback, to provide greater visibility.
- Colour differentiation between poles and doors: Customer consultation showed a preference for yellow grab poles, which will stand out visually and provide consistency with the current fleet, which is important for the visually impaired. In order to create contrast the internal face of the doors will be grey, augmented by lights and audio aids during opening and closing.
42 new trains are being built by Stadler in Switzerland with work set to commence this August. Deliveries should be completed by 2024 with the fleet being housed at the redeveloped Gosforth Depot.