December 2025 marked a full year since the introduction of both local rail service on the Northumberland Line, and new trains for the Tyne & Wear Metro.
To date the Northumberland Line has proved a roaring success, surpassing all expectations regarding passenger numbers. In early 2026, Northumberland County Council (NCC) and Northern Trains anticipate welcoming their one millionth passenger to the line, and the North East Combined Authority (NECA) has already been approached by NCC about extending the line to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.
The lines success has made some ask if the original projected passenger numbers had been more in line with what’s been seen, would the projects budget have been bigger, possibly allowing for full dual tracking, electrification, and stations with better facilities?
During weekends and events trains have been extremely busy with some reports of passengers being left behind, waiting for the next train. Although some trains do run as 4-cars when rolling stock availability allows, there is currently a nationwide shortage of rolling stock, meaning Northern cannot yet make all trains 4-cars, so they often run as 2-cars. This is a concern as in 2026 two further stations are due to open at Bedlington and Northumberland Park, with passenger numbers expected to increase further. We really need all trains to be 4-cars to ensure there’s sufficient capacity so that passengers aren’t put off from using the service.
It was fantastic to see the acceptance of the region’s Pop card on the Northumberland Line from the off, enabling Metro and local rail ticket integration, however this positive momentum needs to continue. Following the December 2025 timetable change, on Sundays some services now continue through to Metrocentre, however it seems Pop card is not valid any further than Newcastle Central. This is yet another confusing caveat for passengers using Pop card and risks them inadvertently travelling between Central and Metrocentre without a valid ticket and becoming liable for a penalty fare. The service extension to Metrocentre had been in the planning for quite some time so we hoped NECA, Nexus and Northern would have worked together to extend Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) acceptance. Ticketing in our region really needs simplified and Pop PAYG integration needs to be rolled out to all local rail lines in the North East.
Meanwhile, Tyne and Wear Metro’s new trains have also marked their first full year since being introduced, with around half of services now being operated by new trains. The new fleet has been a long awaited and much welcome relief for passengers and a huge improvement to those with disabilities, wheelchairs, pushchairs, luggage and bikes.
The new Stadler trains are much smoother, energy efficient, quieter and spacious compared to the old units.
As the last of the old trains get through their final winter and retire, passengers should see the network’s performance increase, making our iconic Metro system more reliable and something we can be proud of once again.
Like with most complex fleet rollouts there has been a few teething issues along the way which needed ironing out, and we hope the air conditioning problem is resolved before temperatures begin rising in Spring.
Several passengers have highlighted the lack of overhead handrails or grab straps too which would be helpful when trains are busy. This is something we hope Nexus look to retrofit sooner rather than later for passenger safety.
We also look forward to train frequency increasing systemwide once all of the new fleet is in service, following the Metro Flow project which saw the branch to South Shields dual tracked in recent years in conjunction with the initial order of new trains increased to allow for a more frequent service.
We also hope the much improved audio visual announcement system can be better utilised even further to support passengers with their onward journeys, along with more detailed ‘Change for’ and ‘Exit for’ information, as seen on other public transport systems both in the UK and abroad.
Nexus recently stated that it anticipates the entire fleet of new trains will be in service by Summer 2026, allowing for the last of the old Metrocars to finally retire.
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