We take another look at the recent train punctuality posters from the Tyne & Wear Metro to see how performance has been standing up over the last few months. And if the details are to be believed things aren’t too bad with the percentage figure higher than the same time in 2024.
As always the Metro considers a train to be on time if it arrives either 3 minutes later or 30 seconds earlier than scheduled. Its not clear whether cancelled services are included in this or whether they are discounted as a scan of Metro social media would suggest a number of services are still being cancelled at times.
The latest four periods under review give the following information:
- 1st April to 26th April 2025: 89% (2024 – 84%)
- 27th April to 24th May 2025: 89% (2024 – 82%)
- 24th May to 21st June 2025: 84% (2024 – 81%)
- 22nd June to 19th July 2025: 81% (2024 – 80%)
The posters also have the results of a February and May 2025 passenger satisfaction survey. In the February survey it gave an overall satisfaction of 7.6 out of 10. Individual scores within the survey also see a rating of 5.2 for staff availability, 7.4 for information and 7.6 for ticketing. Then in May it was overall satisfaction of 7.4 with staff availability back up to 5.5, information to 7.6 and ticketing down to 7.5.
The picture these percentages seem to suggest things aren’t too bad, although local media reports seem to paint a very different picture. Local campaign groups have accused Nexus of not releasing enough information about train availability, both of the old and the new trains, meaning that people are unsure about what is going on. This has of course been denied with Nexus stating that Stadler (who have the contract to maintain both fleets of train) are continuing to work on ensuring enough trains are available for service.
555 011 is one of the new Stadler trains which has been delivered and used on test but has yet to enter passenger service. On 1st August 2025 its seen at Fawdon on test. (Photograph by Trevor Hall)