(07 Nov 2013, 4:57 pm)Tom wrote http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/metros...e-switched - No doubt this will be another to add to Metro's list of excuses when services are delayed.

http://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/guide-metr...validators

Will staff be on hand from 5am until 1am for U16 POP card users and those who require a staff member to open the gate for them, if they cannot use the gates by 'touching in' or 'touching out' yet?

4011 seen in service today after return from refurbishment

(07 Nov 2013, 5:11 pm)Dan wrote http://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/guide-metr...validators

Will staff be on hand from 5am until 1am for U16 POP card users and those who require a staff member to open the gate for them, if they cannot use the gates by 'touching in' or 'touching out' yet?

When no staff are present the gates will have to be open for safety reasons.

(07 Nov 2013, 8:25 pm)tyresmoke wrote When no staff are present the gates will have to be open for safety reasons.

Doesn't really help when it comes to fare evasion though, does it?

(07 Nov 2013, 8:30 pm)Dan wrote Doesn't really help when it comes to fare evasion though, does it?

It doesn't but unless they're going to staff every station for the entire operating hours?

(07 Nov 2013, 8:40 pm)tyresmoke wrote It doesn't but unless they're going to staff every station for the entire operating hours?

They're not, no...
I just see the system being full of problems already and call me pessimistic, but I think better things could have been done with the part of the £385m that has been spent on this project.

Let's face it - one problem has been identified already. Nexus say that these gates will reduce fare evasion... Yes, during the day. We already had inspectors out catching plenty of people during the day though. The main problem is early morning and late night!
How many staff will be present per station? There are very few at present, so I can only imagine staffing costs will increase as a result, and no doubt they will be overworked. They will be required to assist at many gates at once. If one gate stops working, the one doing the paper ticket gate will have to run over and see to them instead.
Peak times... Many passengers wanting to get out of the stations as quick as possible. It works in London because the stations are so big and there are so many gates. Aren't there only four or so at Central Station? Let's hope I don't have a tight connection...

Suspect if peak queues develop (to the point of potentially compromising safety) the barriers will be manually overriden. Otherwise will be very sticky from a fire regs perspective.

If you like a nice pint, if you manage to get through the gates and if there is a train running - have a look at this site (www.tyneandbeermetro.com).

17 November 2013 - No trains Monument - Heworth until 12.30pm on Sunday 17 November
Sunday 17 November - No trains will be running between Monument and Heworth until about 12.30pm, to allow for overhead line maintenance. A bus replacement service number 900 will be calling at or close to all stations in the affected area.
Your journey may take longer so please leave extra time. We're sorry for any inconvenience.
- Bus replacement timetable
- Bus replacement stopping points

I believe Go North East are operating this Metro Replacement service, with an approximate PVR of 8.

Can I ask, what is the whole point of these validators? - There aren't even any gates?

4018/23 noted refurbished.

(17 Nov 2013, 9:29 am)Tom wrote Can I ask, what is the whole point of these validators? - There aren't even any gates?

To calculate single fare when pay as you go comes in. If you didn't validate, and were travelling to somewhere like monument, your ticket wouldn't be valid to get through the barriers there.

''Leaf Fall Disruption Explained'' - Read at http://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/guide-metr...-explained

Leaves on the line: A detailed explanation of the issue

We know that Metro customers get hugely frustrated by delays to Metro services, especially when that is caused by low rail adhesion as a result of leaf fall.

Below is a detailed examination of the issues and why the impact of autumn can hamper train services. It is a national problem that affects train companies across the UK.

When leaves fall on to the line, particularly in damp or wet weather, the rolling action of passing wheels compresses them, causing a greasy ‘mulch’ to cover the rail.

This mulch is to rails what ice is to roads. It reduces the adhesion, or ‘co-efficient of friction’ to use the technical term, between wheel and rail. Acceleration must be reduced to prevent the wheel from slipping, and braking distances extended.

If you’re a regular Metro customer, you can probably sense the wheel “slipping” on a train if you’re travelling through an area that’s affected. This is why minor delays are more prevalent during autumn, particularly in the early morning and early evening.

The leaf mulch can also affect the operation of track circuits. Nexus has machinery to address this problem, which operates overnight on key sections of the network, spreading a special cleansing solution on the rails. Known as an RRV (Road Rail Vehicle), the specially adapted Ford Ranger truck travels around the network during the night when no trains are running, in order to treat rails ahead of the morning rush hour.

However, this can only reduce the impact of leaf mulch rather than eliminate it. The mulch is actually Teflon-like, and as hand-scrubbing could not remove all of it, the RRV is also fitted with mechanical rail scrubbers.

Nexus has also invested in Traction Gel Applicators – 5 of these units are strategically installed across the network in known areas of low rail adhesion. When a Metrocar passes over the unit, it automatically dispenses a solution called ‘traction gel’, which improves the friction between the wheel and rail interface.

Hand held applicators are also used by rapid response teams to address other areas of slipping and in an urgent situation where weather conditions change quickly, silica sand is manually applied to the rails.

The number of weeks this can continue for varies from year to year, depending on seasonal weather.

(19 Nov 2013, 3:18 pm)Tom wrote ''Leaf Fall Disruption Explained'' - Read at http://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/guide-metr...-explained

Phew thanks Metro. I can sleep easily at night now.

(19 Nov 2013, 3:18 pm)Tom wrote "The number of weeks this can continue for varies from year to year, depending on seasonal weather."

I guess it's going to be 52 weeks this year?

Fare Changes from January

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/metr...wn-6334555

(23 Nov 2013, 5:06 pm)citaro5284 wrote Fare Changes from January

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/metr...wn-6334555

Great to see season tickets actually dropping in price.

tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/90164/police-release-pictures-of-man-after-alleged-indecent-act-on

Scruffy little scrotum.
Just hope he is left handed - the first photo shows his right hand over his mouth!

(23 Nov 2013, 5:14 pm)aureolin wrote Great to see season tickets actually dropping in price.

But is it a case of people buying other tickets having their fares increased, so subside the season tickets?

(24 Nov 2013, 4:02 pm)citaro5284 wrote But is it a case of people buying other tickets having their fares increased, so subside the season tickets?

I can't really compare. My bus season ticket has risen over 50% in 6 years. Never once seen a decrease?

(24 Nov 2013, 4:06 pm)aureolin wrote I can't really compare. My bus season ticket has risen over 50% in 6 years. Never once seen a decrease?

Same story applies for most things in life though, unfortunately - whether it's a pint of milk, train tickets or indeed gas/electricity.

(24 Nov 2013, 4:42 pm)Dan wrote Same story applies for most things in life though, unfortunately - whether it's a pint of milk, train tickets or indeed gas/electricity.

50% isn't in line with either RPI or CPI though, whereas what you spend in the shops would tend to be. I'd say it's more than double the rises of those respective indexes in the past 6 years. If bus and rail fares continue to rise well above the rate of inflation then they're just pricing people out of the market, or more importantly, forcing them to choose between heating their homes are feeding their families some cases.

That's why I welcome a decrease in season ticket cost and also the commitment towards students.

http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/...-boss-over

Normally runs around 80%, that is worse than some mainline train operators - I would have expected it to operate at a higher level than that.

(27 Nov 2013, 10:30 pm)citaro5284 wrote http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/...-boss-over

Normally runs around 80%, that is worse than some mainline train operators - I would have expected it to operate at a higher level than that.

Scary isn't it. All that money pissed up the wall on a failing system.

(27 Nov 2013, 10:40 pm)aureolin wrote Scary isn't it. All that money pissed up the wall on a failing system.

£385m is a huge amount of money, and it pisses me off something chronic when I think about how that money could have helped scrap the Metro and go towards a new dedicated bus operation.

Metro fares to go up in January:


METRO passengers face a fare hike next year.


Fares on the Tyne and Wear Metro are to be increased by an average of 2.5 per cent from Thursday, January 2.

Metro owner Nexus said the average was below July’s Retail Price Index rate of inflation.

The cost of Metro adult single, day and transfare tickets are being increased by 10p.

A one-zone single ticket goes up from £1.70 to £1.80. A Metro all-zone single goes up from £3.20 to £3.30. An-all zone Daysaver is up from £4.40 to £4.50.

The 2014 Metro fares also include improved discounts for young people and students.

Nexus director general Bernard Garner said: “It is important that during these tough times we give the best value possible to Metro customers.


http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-6283639

(29 Nov 2013, 7:31 pm)cbma06 wrote Metro fares to go up in January:


METRO passengers face a fare hike next year.


Fares on the Tyne and Wear Metro are to be increased by an average of 2.5 per cent from Thursday, January 2.

Metro owner Nexus said the average was below July’s Retail Price Index rate of inflation.

The cost of Metro adult single, day and transfare tickets are being increased by 10p.

A one-zone single ticket goes up from £1.70 to £1.80. A Metro all-zone single goes up from £3.20 to £3.30. An-all zone Daysaver is up from £4.40 to £4.50.

The 2014 Metro fares also include improved discounts for young people and students.

Nexus director general Bernard Garner said: “It is important that during these tough times we give the best value possible to Metro customers.


http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-6283639

ha, after all the problems...

major delays between pelaw and south hylton

Never heard this excuse used before....

There are delays to service between South Shields and The Coast due to passenger loadings after the football match this evening.

(30 Nov 2013, 8:45 pm)citaro5284 wrote Never heard this excuse used before....

There are delays to service between South Shields and The Coast due to passenger loadings after the football match this evening.

Almost as bad as that rush hour traffic in Stanley on a Sunday morning.

I do agree though. Just another in a long list of Metro excuses. There's been football matches with that sort of crowd (50,000) for the past 13 years, and it's never been a problem. Most likely covering up that they've had to pull a train out of service.