(15 Oct 2014, 5:47 pm)Dan wrote Tyne and Wear Metro
Just now ·
There are no trains running between St James and Monument in both directions, this is due to a fire alarm activation. We will update you once we have more information.

Tickets not being accepted on buses..?

Why? Its a short 5 min walk between the stations, would seem unnecessary and pointless waiting and boarding a bus for such a quick journey.  

(15 Oct 2014, 9:23 pm)Bus_User wrote Why? Its a short 5 min walk between the stations, would seem unnecessary and pointless waiting and boarding a bus for such a quick journey.  

Plenty of customers still use the Metro between these two stations - so why, if they have paid to use the Metro, should they have to walk?!

(15 Oct 2014, 9:24 pm)Dan wrote Plenty of customers still use the Metro between these two stations - so why, if they have paid to use the Metro, should they have to walk?!

Because the inconvenience is very minor to say the very least and the distance between the stations is just ridiculously short to accept Metro tickets. 

Although I could be wrong, I very much doubt the suspension would of lasted very long and by the time Nexus contacted bus operators to accept tickets, the suspension would of been lifted? 

(15 Oct 2014, 9:28 pm)Bus_User wrote Because the inconvenience is very minor to say the very least and the distance between the stations is just ridiculously short to accept Metro tickets. 

Although I could be wrong, I very much doubt the suspension would of lasted very long and by the time Nexus contacted bus operators to accept tickets, the suspension would of been lifted? 

Let's say I'm recovering from a broken toe and have purchased an all zones day saver ticket...
I purchased a ticket which allows me to use the Metro to any station in the network - yet I'm left at Monument with no service and I'm forced to walk instead?

Bet they made a saving by not getting the bus operators to give a helping hand...

(15 Oct 2014, 9:28 pm)Bus_User wrote Although I could be wrong, I very much doubt the suspension would of lasted very long and by the time Nexus contacted bus operators to accept tickets, the suspension would of been lifted? 

Normally its one phone call from Nexus to the Bus Operator, followed by a radio message to the buses, can be arranged within a couple of minutes to be honest.

(15 Oct 2014, 9:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote Normally its one phone call from Nexus to the Bus Operator, followed by a radio message to the buses, can be arranged within a couple of minutes to be honest.

A similar timeframe to them putting details of the disruption on their Social Media pages, no doubt!

(15 Oct 2014, 9:31 pm)Dan wrote Let's say I'm recovering from a broken toe and have purchased an all zones day saver ticket...
I purchased a ticket which allows me to use the Metro to any station in the network - yet I'm left at Monument with no service and I'm forced to walk instead?

Bet they made a saving by not getting the bus operators to give a helping hand...

Although I could be wrong then in that situation, It will be down to Nexus to offer an alternative arrangement of travel for yourself, most likely a taxi.

I do feel your making more of this than there actually is, if the suspension was between St James' and Manors and there was no bus replacement then your complaint would be more justified. 

For 99.9% of passengers however, its a simple 5 min walk to Monument/Haymarket and just looked at the FB page the disruption was around 20 mins and with the section between Monument and St James' being quite lightly used(on most occasions) then it just would seem unnecessary in my opinion.

(15 Oct 2014, 9:42 pm)Bus_User wrote Although I could be wrong then in that situation, It will be down to Nexus to offer an alternative arrangement of travel for yourself, most likely a taxi.

I do feel your making more of this than there actually is, if the suspension was between St James' and Manors and there was no bus replacement then your complaint would be more justified. 

For 99.9% of passengers however, its a simple 5 min walk to Monument/Haymarket and just looked at the FB page the disruption was around 20 mins.  

...which could be avoided by contacting bus companies to allow Metro tickets on their services?

My complaint is justified regardless of the stations the disruption was at. There have been instances in the past where Go North East has accepted Metro tickets for all of 15 minutes (with similiar distances between stations), so I can't see why it wasn't done here too.

Conversely, I can also recall two instances whereby passengers between Sunderland and South Hylton have been left without a Metro service for periods of up to an hour, with no buses accepting tickets.

There should be set procedures in place. The lack of consistency will undoubtedly be causing customer confusion and should be nipped in the bud. Arranging alternatives is simple, and making customers travel by foot should never be the only option available.

What's the story in Balamory today then?

(18 Oct 2014, 1:56 pm)Dan wrote What's the story in Balamory today then?

Im at Percy Main Metro for 15 Minutes now and theres been no trains towards Newcastle yet there been 4 towards the Coast.

(18 Oct 2014, 2:07 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Im at Percy Main Metro for 15 Minutes now and theres been no trains towards Newcastle yet there been 4 towards the Coast.

Make that 5

I should be thankful my Metro was only delayed by 3 minutes earlier...

(18 Oct 2014, 1:56 pm)Dan wrote What's the story in Balamory today then?

It's shambles today.
I got on the Metro at Park Lane, around 13:30, and it was 15 minutes late. It was jammed packed by the time we got to Fellgate, and when we got to Heworth the doors won't close, and the driver, quite rudely said ''if somebody doesn't get away from the doors, you'll all get off, so move it.''. Then, coming across the metro bridge in between Gateshead and Central, all of the lights went off, and the driver chucked us all off at Central. I then had to walk to Monument, to get the train back to Wallsend. I had to wait, 35, YES 35!!! minutes for a train. I wish I had have got the 9 now... I heard on the announcements at Monument there were no trains between  Heworth and Monument, GNE were accepting tickets on the 27 and 57. This is due to a blockage on the overhead lines apparently. Disgusting.

I was sitting next to this women and she said there was only one day this week the metro was not delayed, and this morning they got chucked off at Walkergate. She was considering using the Coaster from now on, and I told her a weekly ticket is only £12.50.

#promotingbusesonmetros
#hashtagsonNEB

(15 Oct 2014, 9:28 pm)Bus_User wrote Because the inconvenience is very minor to say the very least and the distance between the stations is just ridiculously short to accept Metro tickets. 

Although I could be wrong, I very much doubt the suspension would of lasted very long and by the time Nexus contacted bus operators to accept tickets, the suspension would of been lifted? 

It's inconvenience all the same. Not everyone has the same level of mobility, and would potentially be left out of pocket.

(15 Oct 2014, 9:31 pm)Dan wrote Let's say I'm recovering from a broken toe and have purchased an all zones day saver ticket...
I purchased a ticket which allows me to use the Metro to any station in the network - yet I'm left at Monument with no service and I'm forced to walk instead?

Bet they made a saving by not getting the bus operators to give a helping hand...

Whilst I'm in agreement that I don't think it's acceptable for Metro service to ever be suspended, without either a replacement bus service put in place, or agreement with operator to accept tickets, is it equally as unacceptable as bus operators telling passengers they have to now walk to the main road to catch the bus?

It's easy enough for you or me to walk to the main road, but for some, it removes their independence. Arriva customers in Bowburn for example, have to walk the same distance after 6pm, when the 57/57A stops serving the estate. Public transport should always remain inclusive and accessible. Even if that means having an agreement, like GNE and Arriva have with the M2/M3 evening runs. Passengers don't lose out because of that.

(15 Oct 2014, 9:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote Normally its one phone call from Nexus to the Bus Operator, followed by a radio message to the buses, can be arranged within a couple of minutes to be honest.

I'm a bit puzzled why Nexus would make the call. If DB Tyne and Wear are contracted for running the system, I'd have thought they'd be the ones responsible to invoke a continuity plan?

(18 Oct 2014, 4:41 pm)aureolin wrote I'm a bit puzzled why Nexus would make the call. If DB Tyne and Wear are contracted for running the system, I'd have thought they'd be the ones responsible to invoke a continuity plan?

Nexus, DB Regio who cares, it is the guys and girls in South Gosforth Control Room, whoever they work for.

(18 Oct 2014, 5:05 pm)citaro5284 wrote Nexus, DB Regio who cares, it is the guys and girls in South Gosforth Control Room, whoever they work for.

Don't get me wrong. It wasn't an attempt to be pedantic, but more so curious as to where the responsibility lay.

More disruption... A yellow line train has been withdrawn from service. Was an announcement at Gateshead about it.

(18 Oct 2014, 5:22 pm)Dan wrote More disruption... A yellow line train has been withdrawn from service. Was an announcement at Gateshead about it.

What a joke. They need to sort themselves out. 

(18 Oct 2014, 5:23 pm)Tom wrote What a joke. They need to sort themselves out. 

Was about 1810 when the announcement came on, saying the next train towards South Shields was ar Palmersville... Bad news for anyone on the yellow line then!

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...ro-7957733

(18 Oct 2014, 8:03 pm)citaro5284 wrote http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...ro-7957733

"A spokesperson from Nexus said: “We apologise to all passengers for the delays. It has been a really busy day with the home game on at Newcastle. The We will address these technical problems as soon as possible.”"

Oh come on. Using a football match as an excuse for the time taken to resolve technical faults. There's at least 19 home games every football season. They're published in advance and don't come as a last minute shock to Metro.

(18 Oct 2014, 8:16 pm)aureolin wrote "A spokesperson from Nexus said: “We apologise to all passengers for the delays. It has been a really busy day with the home game on at Newcastle. The We will address these technical problems as soon as possible.”"

Oh come on. Using a football match as an excuse for the time taken to resolve technical faults. There's at least 19 home games every football season. They're published in advance and don't come as a last minute shock to Metro.

I read and weep at the bit in bold...

Refurbished Metrocar 4052 struggling just after Fellgate... Doesn't look like there would be any leaves on the line, but this one isn't coping particularly well when accelerating.

(19 Oct 2014, 10:48 am)Dan wrote Refurbished Metrocar 4052 struggling just after Fellgate... Doesn't look like there would be any leaves on the line, but this one isn't coping particularly well when accelerating.

Oh great... it's turned up again at Felling!
"Low rail adhesion" issues still...

Pretty standard this time of year on any train not just Metro, 142s struggle badly

(19 Oct 2014, 9:14 pm)tyresmoke wrote Pretty standard this time of year on any train not just Metro, 142s struggle badly

I've been on other Metros lately and had no issues... Seems to be common on certain examples and not others - refurbished examples being worse than the non-refurbished ones!

Tyne and Wear Metro
5 mins ·
We are running a frequent service with trains running to all destinations but not to the usual timetable. This is due to low rail adhesion.

(20 Oct 2014, 6:10 pm)Michael wrote Tyne and Wear Metro
5 mins ·
We are running a frequent service with trains running to all destinations but not to the usual timetable. This is due to low rail adhesion.

Friendly reminder.......  

(18 Oct 2014, 8:16 pm)aureolin wrote "A spokesperson from Nexus said: “We apologise to all passengers for the delays. It has been a really busy day with the home game on at Newcastle. The We will address these technical problems as soon as possible.”"

Oh come on. Using a football match as an excuse for the time taken to resolve technical faults. There's at least 19 home games every football season. They're published in advance and don't come as a last minute shock to Metro.

Wasn't there a Power Failure on the Morning and a Line Blockage in the Afternoon between Heworth and Monument.