Warning over shortage of Metro drivers as pandemic knocks-out training sessions

RELATED: 95% of people obeying face mask rules on Metro - and why some are not

Two schools of trainee drivers have had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, transport bosses have confirmed.

That means that 16 new recruits who could have started work towards the end of 2020 may have lost the chance to join the Metro workforce.

The two driver training programmes were due to start in the spring but had to be axed due to lockdown restrictions.

Nexus chief operating officer Martin Kearney confirmed on Thursday that the six-month courses could not be rescheduled for a later date and that there could be a knock-on effect for train cancellations.

Metro has faced regular problems with driver shortages recently, with many staff lured away by rival rail operators offering higher salaries, which prompted plans to increase the number Nexus trains from 24 a year to a possible 80.

Drivers also took strike action last year amid a bitter row over pay and changes to their contracts.

At a virtual meeting of the North East Joint Transport Committee’s Tyne and Wear sub-committee, Gateshead councillor John McElroy said it was vital for Metro to “up the ante in terms of delivering employment opportunities” because of the devastating economic impact of the pandemic.

RELATED: Metro passenger numbers still 70% down after lockdown eases

He said: “I know finance is going to be a big issue, it is a big issue, but nevertheless I think we have a duty to deliver a safe transport system and also to deliver in terms of employment opportunities.”

Mr Kearney responded: “We are reviewing how we train our drivers to see if we can increase the current class sizes and add those 16 recruits lost to further classes later on in the year.

“The challenge we have is the size of classes, the amount of trainers available, and the amount of driver tutors once they get onto the mainline.

“But we will do everything we can to increase those driver classes and those driver numbers. We need those drivers as quickly as possible, the lack of resources do hit our performance and do hit cancellations as we go throughout the year so we will recruit as many as we physically can.

“Obviously as restrictions regarding Covid-19 are released that might give us potential for more classes to be introduced.”

The opening of the new Nexus Learning Centre in South Shields has also been hit with coronavirus-related delays, but is now expected to open later this month.

Thursday’s meeting also heard that “positive” talks had been held over Metro securing extra government funding to help cover its losses during the pandemic, with a previous funding package due to run out on August 4.

Metro passenger numbers dropped by up to 95% at the height of the crisis, but have now returned to around 30% of normal levels.

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