555 008 has become the latest of the new Stadler trains to have entered service on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Having been used on testing and driver training it was cleared for passenger use in June and formed its first revenue earning services on 27th June 2025.
555 008 was one of two units to be delivered to northeast England on 21st February 2025, making it just over four months between delivery and entry into service. This makes it the quickest (so far) to carry passengers after arrival.
There have now been 12 of the trains which have been used in service, although not all of those are currently available. They are 555 002–555 008, 555 015, 555 020, 555 021, 555 027 and 555 028. Also in the northeast are 555 001, 555 009–555 014, 555 016, 555 017, 555 031 and 555 035.
Nexus have plans for the trains to enter service as part of a phased introduction. Its planned that 23 of the 46 will have been used by the end of 2025, and the rest to follow in 2026.