New Metro fleet delayed by pandemic - but transport chiefs confident they can make up on lost time

Progress on delivering the long-awaited new trains has slowed during the global pandemic, a meeting has heard – but Metro bosses say they are “confident” they can make up the lost time.

RELATED: Metro teams preparing for 'regular rush hour service' to return next week

The new fleet, initial concept images for which were revealed earlier this year, is due to be built in Switzerland by manufacturing giant Stadler.

But Nexus finance chief John Fenwick has confirmed that the coronavirus crisis has slowed progress on finalising the design of the modern carriages, which will boast features such as WiFi and air conditioning.

The first of the new trains should be in use on Tyne and Wear tracks by summer 2023 and all of the current, outdated stock replaced by the end of 2024.

Mr Fenwick told the North East Joint Transport Committee’s Tyne and Wear sub-committee: “It is fair to say that Stadler Rail did have one or two issues and problems when Covid-19 hit in terms of the recruitment of key personnel to drive that project on.

“It is also fair to say that while the two teams here in the North East of England and Switzerland have been liaising with each other using medium like Microsoft Teams, the progress in terms of moving the design forward has probably been a little less than we would have expected had we not had to encounter the Covid-19 emergency.

“We are confident that we can make up time and that project is definitely still going ahead and we absolutely need to ensure that we do make up that time.”

He added that “really good progress” was being made with the construction of a temporary Metro maintenance depot in Howdon, where construction has continued with social distancing measures in place.

The site will be used to help keep trains running and roll out the new fleet while the existing Gosforth depot is redeveloped.

The new Metro trains will also be fitted with an on-board battery that means they could run even in the event of an overhead line fault.

Carriages will also have USB charging points, WiFi connectivity, air conditioning, and an automatic sliding step at every door to make access easier.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.