Nexus have been promising for the past few months that the first of the new fleet of trains being built for the network by Stadler in Switzerland would enter service before the end of 2024 – and it’s a promise they have now delivered on! The first passenger carry workings took place on Wednesday 18th December with 555 021 in use between Pelaw and Monkseaton.
The first working was the 1104 Pelaw-Monkseaton via Newcastle City Centre with the unit then remaining in service on this special service for much of the remainder of the day. It is now planned that a train is used in passenger service as part of a phased roll-out Monday-Friday only.
46 new trains are being built by Stadler, with 13 having already been delivered to Gosforth Depot and a further 25 having been completed and due to be delivered to the northeast in 2025. They are due to bring a new era to the Metro network by transforming comfort, quality and reliability.
The design of the trains was helped by 23,000 responses to a survey as part of a major public consultation which took place being the build took place. They include linear seating, mobile charging points, climate control, 44 digital CCTV cameras, battery technology, and new accessibility standards, including an automatic sliding step at each set of doors to allow for seamless boarding.
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, was on board the first service, she said: “This is an historic day for Metro and a moment I know will come as a relief to passengers, as well as being something to celebrate.
“I pressed Nexus and Stadler to get the first new Metro train out there for passengers as quickly as possible. I know how much hard work has gone into making that happen from many people involved in testing and solving the technical challenges. I look forward to seeing these new trains becoming a common sight next year as they are phased into use.
“We are now witnessing the first steps towards making Metro, once again, a world-class system the whole region can be proud of. I put a convenient, comfortable and above all reliable Metro at the heart of my vision for the future of public transport in North East England, so that when we bring buses back under control we can create the good value integrated network people are crying out for.”
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “We’re excited to put the first new Metro train into service for customers today. This is an historic moment for the Tyne and Wear Metro and for public transport in our region. It’s the beginning of a new era for Metro, our customers, and for our own workforce.
“The new trains will transform the customer experience, delivering more comfort, more quality and more reliability. We’re already looking forward to getting more new trains into service over the coming months.
“A vast amount of work has gone into this project, which is our biggest since Metro was first built. Our workforce has put in a huge effort to get the trains ready for service and my sincere thanks go to everyone involved.
“The roll out of all 46 new trains will be taking place in phases going forward, so customers will see the old and the new trains out together on the system.
“The Stadler trains have vastly superior technology. They come with a linear seating layout which offers more space for wheelchairs, luggage, bikes and pushchairs. They have a sliding step at each set of doors for seamless boarding, which is vital for the 50,000 wheelchair journeys we see on Metro every year. The trains have improved security, with each one fitted with 44 different CCTV cameras. There is now an intercom system for customers to contact the driver. The climate control will make journeys more comfortable, especially in the summer and winter.
“These trains are for our customers and have been designed by them too. Our vast public consultation exercise saw us gather over 23,000 pieces of feedback and this has culminated in the train features and layout you see today.”
The entry into service of the new trains is a year later than had originally been hoped, with challenges experienced during the initial testing of the first trains to be delivered. But with these issues now being ironed out it has been possible, after driver training, to get the first unit into service which is something to be celebrated at the end of another challenging year for the Metro network.
Patrick Kung, Commercial Project Manager at Stadler, said: “We congratulate Nexus on introducing the new fleet of trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro into commercial service. Passengers were at the heart of the process to develop and build these trains, with all decisions made to enhance the experience of travelling on them. Safe, reliable, comfortable, and with a range of modern features, they will make getting round the north east enjoyable, relaxing and straightforward.
“These Metro trains are tailormade to suit the local network. They are designed to accommodate the characteristics of the system and produced in line with Nexus’ specification.
“Stadler has a 35-year full-service maintenance contract for the 46-strong new fleet. This long-term investment in the region sees Stadler working with the supply chain, engaging with the local community and other stakeholders, and supporting local initiatives. It provides skilled jobs at Gosforth depot, boosting the regional economy and driving social cohesion.”
The full introduction of the new trains will be phased with all 46 due to be in service over the next two years.