Great North Run plans to be used to help cope with socially distanced Metro services at South Shields Transport Interchange

The Tyne and Wear network is expected to return to a ‘regular rush hour service’ from Monday May 18.

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But transport chiefs have predicted the combined Metro and bus station will deal well with anti-coronavirus measures, without the need for more intrusive plans at other stops.

Passengers at the bus terminal should expect to see tapelines marking safe distances, as well as information and other guidance on posters and screens.

And a lack of ‘pinch points’ thanks to escalators and wide platforms and stairways mean Metro commuters are unlikely to have to navigate the barriers in place at other stations.

Nexus, which runs the Metro, says is hopes next week’s planned increase in services will give the network a socially distanced capacity of 26,000 people per day, although the public are still urged to use public transport for essential journeys only.

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