Tyne and Wear Metro
Tyne and Wear Metro
That sounds like a nightmare!
It was only until very recently where I got used to which trains run from each of the four platforms, so having Metros arriving on both sides would have totally confused me not too long ago!
I think the announcements need to enunciate a bit better too. First day in my job I heard the Metro was delayed by 15 minutes which I didn't think was too bad; turns out it was 50 minutes instead, had to get a taxi and was still late!
A 'Behind the scenes' film looks at escalator replacement project, in a new article on Nexus' website.
http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/2012/behind...nt-project
Cheers for posting that link! I had no idea so much work was involved with escalator replacements. I didn't know that when there are no passengers on-board that they run at a slower speed to conserve energy. I always wondered why the Sunderland escalator begins to make more noise as soon as someone steps on, so I guess that's why.
(20 Jan 2013, 1:52 pm)Brandon Cheers for posting that link! I had no idea so much work was involved with escalator replacements. I didn't know that when there are no passengers on-board that they run at a slower speed to conserve energy. I always wondered why the Sunderland escalator begins to make more noise as soon as someone steps on, so I guess that's why.
(20 Jan 2013, 1:52 pm)Brandon Cheers for posting that link! I had no idea so much work was involved with escalator replacements. I didn't know that when there are no passengers on-board that they run at a slower speed to conserve energy. I always wondered why the Sunderland escalator begins to make more noise as soon as someone steps on, so I guess that's why.
Quote:The Tyne and Wear Metro is to benefit from a £23 million funding boost, Local Transport Minister Norman Baker confirmed today.
The Department for Transport has confirmed that it has awarded Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, a total of £93m which is the maximum possible funding under the 2010 Funding Agreement for renewing and upgrading the Tyne and Wear Metro for the next three years.
The funding will allow Nexus to create about 60 new jobs to deliver projects within its Metro: all change modernisation programme – as well as sustaining hundreds more among engineering and transport contractors.
Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “This is a major programme of renewal of the metro infrastructure and will bring real benefits to the people and economy of the North East.
“The money gives Nexus the certainty to plan ahead and deliver the best outcomes for metro users.
"The Department for Transport is determined to support the North East of England in its efforts to deliver better transport for everyone and to cut carbon emissions.”
Metro is Britain’s busiest light rail network outside London, used by 38 million passengers every year.
The funding announced today will allow Nexus to deliver key projects between 2013 and 2016 which include:
· Renewing tracks and trackbeds from Tynemouth to Gateshead, including the busiest section of line through Newcastle city centre.
· Completing the refurbishment of the Metro train fleet
· Continuing the refurbishment of 45 stations in total, including stations in the Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside areas.
· Introducing smart travel to Metro with the Pop card, including new ticket machines technology, gate lines and validators.
· Starting the system-wide replacement of vital overhead power lines, as well as upgrading communications and signal systems.
Ken Mackay, Director of Rail and Infrastructure at Nexus, said: “We are delighted the Government has shown its commitment to Metro modernisation by confirming funding in full, including the conditional element.
“The £93 million we will receive gives us the financial security to create 60 new jobs delivering modernisation on the ground, in addition to the contracts we will offer to leading engineering and transport contractors.
“This commitment from Government is a vote of confidence in the efficient, effective inward investment we are delivering for Tyne and Wear through the Metro: all change programme.”
DfT and Nexus agreed an 11-year funding programme for Metro modernisation in February 2010, worth up to £350m, with £100m of that subject to future commitments being met. This programme was confirmed by the coalition Government when it took office in May 2010.
Today’s £23m announcement confirms the full possible amount of grant for years 4-6 of the modernisation project. The total amount confirmed is £93m over 3 years to 2015/16, which together with the required local contribution of £10m will mean investment of over £100m in the next three years.
Metro: all change is the largest renewal project on the Tyne and Wear Metro since it was opened in 1980.
It has already seen Nexus replace 18km of track and trackbeds plus associated structures, refurbish 10 stations and 20 Metrocar trains, replace lifts and escalators at key stations and introduce 225 new smart ticket machines.
Haven't had an update on here for quite a while, but here we go... To kick us back off again, an article on Nexus' website was published earlier today.
Quote:The Tyne and Wear Metro is to benefit from a £23 million funding boost, Local Transport Minister Norman Baker confirmed today.
The Department for Transport has confirmed that it has awarded Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, a total of £93m which is the maximum possible funding under the 2010 Funding Agreement for renewing and upgrading the Tyne and Wear Metro for the next three years.
The funding will allow Nexus to create about 60 new jobs to deliver projects within its Metro: all change modernisation programme – as well as sustaining hundreds more among engineering and transport contractors.
Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “This is a major programme of renewal of the metro infrastructure and will bring real benefits to the people and economy of the North East.
“The money gives Nexus the certainty to plan ahead and deliver the best outcomes for metro users.
"The Department for Transport is determined to support the North East of England in its efforts to deliver better transport for everyone and to cut carbon emissions.”
Metro is Britain’s busiest light rail network outside London, used by 38 million passengers every year.
The funding announced today will allow Nexus to deliver key projects between 2013 and 2016 which include:
· Renewing tracks and trackbeds from Tynemouth to Gateshead, including the busiest section of line through Newcastle city centre.
· Completing the refurbishment of the Metro train fleet
· Continuing the refurbishment of 45 stations in total, including stations in the Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside areas.
· Introducing smart travel to Metro with the Pop card, including new ticket machines technology, gate lines and validators.
· Starting the system-wide replacement of vital overhead power lines, as well as upgrading communications and signal systems.
Ken Mackay, Director of Rail and Infrastructure at Nexus, said: “We are delighted the Government has shown its commitment to Metro modernisation by confirming funding in full, including the conditional element.
“The £93 million we will receive gives us the financial security to create 60 new jobs delivering modernisation on the ground, in addition to the contracts we will offer to leading engineering and transport contractors.
“This commitment from Government is a vote of confidence in the efficient, effective inward investment we are delivering for Tyne and Wear through the Metro: all change programme.”
DfT and Nexus agreed an 11-year funding programme for Metro modernisation in February 2010, worth up to £350m, with £100m of that subject to future commitments being met. This programme was confirmed by the coalition Government when it took office in May 2010.
Today’s £23m announcement confirms the full possible amount of grant for years 4-6 of the modernisation project. The total amount confirmed is £93m over 3 years to 2015/16, which together with the required local contribution of £10m will mean investment of over £100m in the next three years.
Metro: all change is the largest renewal project on the Tyne and Wear Metro since it was opened in 1980.
It has already seen Nexus replace 18km of track and trackbeds plus associated structures, refurbish 10 stations and 20 Metrocar trains, replace lifts and escalators at key stations and introduce 225 new smart ticket machines.
Quote:10th February - No trains Airport to Kingston Park
Sunday 10 February until about 12.30, this is to allow for modernisation work. During the work a bus replacement service will be calling at or close to all of the affected stations. Please leave extra time for your journey. We're sorry for any inconvenience.
Bus replacement stand stopping points
Bus replacement timetable
Also, Metro disruptions this week are as follows:
Quote:10th February - No trains Airport to Kingston Park
Sunday 10 February until about 12.30, this is to allow for modernisation work. During the work a bus replacement service will be calling at or close to all of the affected stations. Please leave extra time for your journey. We're sorry for any inconvenience.
Bus replacement stand stopping points
Bus replacement timetable
Quote:06th February 2013
Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising the Metro system, has donated one of its 30 year-old old Metro ticket machines to Tyne and Wear Musuems to keep for posterity.
The old Metro ticket Metro machines are in the process of being replaced as part of the £385m Metro all change modernisation programme.
Nexus is replacing 225 ticket machines at 60 stations. The new smart ticket machines are capable of accepting credit/debit card payments and bank notes.
Just one of the old Metro ticket machines, which first entered service when the system first opened in 1980, will be handed over to Tyne and Wear Museums to put on public display.
Almost all of the Metro stations now have new ticket machines installed and there are less than ten stations left to get the new technology.
Director General of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “The old Metro ticket machines have served the people of the Tyne and Wear well for the last 32 years.
“The time has come to replace them with new technology, but it is also important that one of the old ticket machines is kept for posterity and I’m thrilled to be able to hand one over to Tyne and Wear Museums for public display.”
John Clayson, Keeper of Science and Industry for Tyne and Wear Museums, said: “These ticket machines are now part of the region’s heritage - millions of people have used them to travel for work, shopping and nights out.
“I’m sure the old machine will bring a smile to many people’s faces in future years - we all remember the struggle for change when arriving in a hurry at a Metro Station. The new machines are much more convenient. We can’t display the machine immediately, but we will keep it safely until there is an opportunity to show Metro’s heritage, and meantime it will be seen on tours ‘behind the scenes’.
The old Metro ticket machines were manufactured in France by a company called Crouzet. They print the Metro tickets using a built-in dot matrix style printing system.
The new smart ticket machines have been manufactured in Germany by a company called Scheidt and Bachmann. They boast touch screen technology and can handle smart card payments and can display in seven different languages to assist international visitors.
The remainder of the old Metro ticket machines are to be scrapped.
Old Metro ticket machine to go in a museum
Quote:06th February 2013
Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising the Metro system, has donated one of its 30 year-old old Metro ticket machines to Tyne and Wear Musuems to keep for posterity.
The old Metro ticket Metro machines are in the process of being replaced as part of the £385m Metro all change modernisation programme.
Nexus is replacing 225 ticket machines at 60 stations. The new smart ticket machines are capable of accepting credit/debit card payments and bank notes.
Just one of the old Metro ticket machines, which first entered service when the system first opened in 1980, will be handed over to Tyne and Wear Museums to put on public display.
Almost all of the Metro stations now have new ticket machines installed and there are less than ten stations left to get the new technology.
Director General of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “The old Metro ticket machines have served the people of the Tyne and Wear well for the last 32 years.
“The time has come to replace them with new technology, but it is also important that one of the old ticket machines is kept for posterity and I’m thrilled to be able to hand one over to Tyne and Wear Museums for public display.”
John Clayson, Keeper of Science and Industry for Tyne and Wear Museums, said: “These ticket machines are now part of the region’s heritage - millions of people have used them to travel for work, shopping and nights out.
“I’m sure the old machine will bring a smile to many people’s faces in future years - we all remember the struggle for change when arriving in a hurry at a Metro Station. The new machines are much more convenient. We can’t display the machine immediately, but we will keep it safely until there is an opportunity to show Metro’s heritage, and meantime it will be seen on tours ‘behind the scenes’.
The old Metro ticket machines were manufactured in France by a company called Crouzet. They print the Metro tickets using a built-in dot matrix style printing system.
The new smart ticket machines have been manufactured in Germany by a company called Scheidt and Bachmann. They boast touch screen technology and can handle smart card payments and can display in seven different languages to assist international visitors.
The remainder of the old Metro ticket machines are to be scrapped.
Quote:Some train times and routes between Pelaw, South Gosforth, Regent Centre and Benton are being revised to provide a more efficient service.
Quote:16th February - Major Line Closure Byker to North Shields
For six days, starting Saturday 16 to Thursday 21 February. To allow for track and bridge replacement work. During the line closure a frequent bus replacement will call at or close to all stations in the affected area. Metro tickets can be bought on the bus. Please leave extra time for your journey. We're sorry for an inconvenience.
Bus replacement timetable, Sat 16 Feb
Bus replacement timetable, Sun 17 Feb
Bus replacement timetable Mon 18 Feb - Thurs 21 Feb
Bus replacement stopping points
Timetable changes have been advertised on the Nexus website which are effective from 22nd February 2013.
Quote:Some train times and routes between Pelaw, South Gosforth, Regent Centre and Benton are being revised to provide a more efficient service.
To view the changes, see the document on the link below:
http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/nexus.org....202013.pdf
Source: www.nexus.org.uk/metro
___________________________________________________
Metro disruptions this weekend:
Quote:16th February - Major Line Closure Byker to North Shields
For six days, starting Saturday 16 to Thursday 21 February. To allow for track and bridge replacement work. During the line closure a frequent bus replacement will call at or close to all stations in the affected area. Metro tickets can be bought on the bus. Please leave extra time for your journey. We're sorry for an inconvenience.
Bus replacement timetable, Sat 16 Feb
Bus replacement timetable, Sun 17 Feb
Bus replacement timetable Mon 18 Feb - Thurs 21 Feb
Bus replacement stopping points
(14 Feb 2013, 11:39 pm)Brandon Cheers for that Dan! I'll get the complete timetable edited and re-posted with the revised times before the 22nd. I'll also upload in PDF format, as well as Excel.
(14 Feb 2013, 11:41 pm)Daniel(14 Feb 2013, 11:39 pm)Brandon Cheers for that Dan! I'll get the complete timetable edited and re-posted with the revised times before the 22nd. I'll also upload in PDF format, as well as Excel.
I did pity you when I read '1 timetable change' - wasn't sure how big the changes were going to be! :L
(14 Feb 2013, 11:41 pm)Daniel(14 Feb 2013, 11:39 pm)Brandon Cheers for that Dan! I'll get the complete timetable edited and re-posted with the revised times before the 22nd. I'll also upload in PDF format, as well as Excel.
I did pity you when I read '1 timetable change' - wasn't sure how big the changes were going to be! :L
Below are the links to the revised Tyne and Wear Metro timetable effective from Friday 22 February 2013. There are minor changes to some train times and routes between Pelaw, South Gosforth, Regent Centre and Benton - which are being revised to provide a more efficient service.
Monday to Friday - To Airport & St James
Monday to Friday - To South Hylton & South Shields
Saturday - To Airport & St James
Saturday - To South Hylton & South Shields
Sunday - To Airport & St James
Sunday - To South Hylton & South Shields
I'll also include the complete Excel document, so it can be customised to how you like it such as additional Northern Rail stations, different colours etc. I've purposely kept it basic to keep the file size as small as possible to ease downloading. The layout of the Excel document seems to work best to convert to the PDF layouts I've linked to above.
Complete Tyne and Wear Metro Timetable
Thanks for that Brandon, rather swift and very helpful to everyone who wants this format of timetable.
In other news, the first day of the six-day Byker-North Shields closure commenced yesterday. It was operated by Go North East. Some of the vehicles which were used are below, with the appropriate hyperlinks given:
- Gateshead-based 3966 - [this is one to look at, read the description] (danielgrahamm)
- Gateshead-based 3975 (danielgrahamm)
- Winlaton-based 3970 (danielgrahamm)
- Winlaton-based 6025 (danielgrahamm)
- Deptford-based 6020 (danielgrahamm)
- Washington-based 6013 (danielgrahamm)
Owing to a line closure between South Gosforth and Kingston Park to allow for modernisation work, until about 12:30pm on Sunday 24th February, Arriva North East operated a bus replacement service on behalf of Nexus to cover for the usual Metros that had been affected.
Photos can be seen below:
7459 (danielgrahamm)
7459 (danielgrahamm)
7462 (danielgrahamm)
7463 (danielgrahamm)
7607 (danielgrahamm)
In other news, there were severe disruptions to all services today. Many screens at stations said, "Delays to services. Metro apologise". This was likely due to a staff shortage today (see attachment) and also a train failure. Said train failure occurred at South Gosforth station. As a result, it had to wait to be taken away. This then caused delays to the services behind the signals prior to arriving at this station. When I got off at South Gosforth (after arriving 14 minutes late), there was a backlog of two separate Metros behind the one I'd just gotten off. The driver's initial reasoning for the Metro being stuck at a red signal was because the Metro infront was on the green light, and due to the line closure as mentioned above, the Metro had to navigate its way from one side of the Metro track to the other... Five minutes later though, he did say that it was due to the train failure.
Quote:Metro encourages passengers to join the transport revolution
Passengers on the Tyne and Wear Metro were today treated to a rainbow coloured revolutionary display, as the countdown to the transport revolution begins with the roll out of the new Metro Pop card to all MetroSaver customers.
A group of Pop revolutionaries, complete with placards and props, came together to demonstrate an exciting new era of smartcard s which will make it easier and more convenient for passengers to use public transport around the region.
Quote:Metro encourages passengers to join the transport revolution
Passengers on the Tyne and Wear Metro were today treated to a rainbow coloured revolutionary display, as the countdown to the transport revolution begins with the roll out of the new Metro Pop card to all MetroSaver customers.
A group of Pop revolutionaries, complete with placards and props, came together to demonstrate an exciting new era of smartcard s which will make it easier and more convenient for passengers to use public transport around the region.
Quote:2nd March - No trains South Gosforth to Northumberland Park
All day Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March, to allow for modernisation work. A bus replacement service will run between South Gosforth and Northumberland Park. During the work only platform 2 will be in use at Northumberland Park and Shiremoor. Trains may not run to usual timetable during the work, so please leave extra time for your journey. There will be a 15 minute train frequency between St James and Northumberland Park on Saturday 2 March.
Bus replacement stopping points
Bus replacement timetable Saturday 2 March
Bus replacement timetable Sunday 3 March
Disruptions occurring later this week:
Quote:2nd March - No trains South Gosforth to Northumberland Park
All day Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March, to allow for modernisation work. A bus replacement service will run between South Gosforth and Northumberland Park. During the work only platform 2 will be in use at Northumberland Park and Shiremoor. Trains may not run to usual timetable during the work, so please leave extra time for your journey. There will be a 15 minute train frequency between St James and Northumberland Park on Saturday 2 March.
Bus replacement stopping points
Bus replacement timetable Saturday 2 March
Bus replacement timetable Sunday 3 March
Quote:Students get new Metro smartcard
Students at Newcastle University will soon be able to use their campus smart card to travel around the city on the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The pilot scheme launched today between the North East Smart Ticketing Initiative (NESTI) and the University will eventually reach up to 20,000 students, when it is fully rolled out.
Final update for today - all in separate posts so it's easier to read!
Quote:Students get new Metro smartcard
Students at Newcastle University will soon be able to use their campus smart card to travel around the city on the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The pilot scheme launched today between the North East Smart Ticketing Initiative (NESTI) and the University will eventually reach up to 20,000 students, when it is fully rolled out.
(28 Feb 2013, 9:56 pm)Daniel Disruptions occurring later this week:
Quote:2nd March - No trains South Gosforth to Northumberland Park
All day Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March, to allow for modernisation work. A bus replacement service will run between South Gosforth and Northumberland Park. During the work only platform 2 will be in use at Northumberland Park and Shiremoor. Trains may not run to usual timetable during the work, so please leave extra time for your journey. There will be a 15 minute train frequency between St James and Northumberland Park on Saturday 2 March.
Bus replacement stopping points
Bus replacement timetable Saturday 2 March
Bus replacement timetable Sunday 3 March
Me thinks it's an Arriva one again!
(28 Feb 2013, 9:56 pm)Daniel Disruptions occurring later this week:
Quote:2nd March - No trains South Gosforth to Northumberland Park
All day Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March, to allow for modernisation work. A bus replacement service will run between South Gosforth and Northumberland Park. During the work only platform 2 will be in use at Northumberland Park and Shiremoor. Trains may not run to usual timetable during the work, so please leave extra time for your journey. There will be a 15 minute train frequency between St James and Northumberland Park on Saturday 2 March.
Bus replacement stopping points
Bus replacement timetable Saturday 2 March
Bus replacement timetable Sunday 3 March
Me thinks it's an Arriva one again!
(01 Mar 2013, 4:18 pm)Daniel I'd still love to know why Tyne and Wear operators register Metro replacement work - surely, as it's rail replacement work, they needn't? After all, that's classed as private and work and need not be registered...
(01 Mar 2013, 4:18 pm)Daniel I'd still love to know why Tyne and Wear operators register Metro replacement work - surely, as it's rail replacement work, they needn't? After all, that's classed as private and work and need not be registered...