Metro services suspended to reduced timetable in fight against coronavirus spread

Services will operate to a reduced timetable from tomorrow, Wednesday, March, 18, with all additional peak hour services between Pelaw and Monkseaton or South Gosforth cancelled.

Metro will otherwise operate a normal timetable on services between Airport and South Hylton, and South Shields and St James, throughout the day and evening.

Service bosses say the change will mean passengers can be certain when trains will run, in the event staffing levels are affected by the outbreak.

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Huw Lewis, Customer Service Director at operator Nexus, said: “We are withdrawing Metro’s additional peak services so that passengers can be sure when trains will run, rather than face sudden cancellations should we see a reduction in available staff.

“Fewer people are using Metro now following public health advice, and the move by universities in the region to online teaching.

“There will be enough Metro trains to meet demand, although passengers may have to wait a few minutes longer.

“Metro has an essential role to play getting people to work, not least in the health sector, so this action is about making sure we provide a sustainable, convenient service people can plan around.

“Passengers can remain confident about travelling by Metro when they need to make a journey. We have taken on extra people and increased cleaning of trains and stations.”

The timetable change means there will still be a train at least every 12 minutes to all stations on Metro during the day, and every six minutes through the centre of Newcastle and Gateshead.

The number of people using the system has fallen by 4.5% since the start of March as the impact of coronavirus is felt in the region.

In a letter to passengers and stakeholders iTobyn Hughes, Managing Director of Transport North East and the boss of Nexus, says public transport operators, including Nexus and commercial bus companies, are working together to plan services and monitor the impact of the virus.

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