(30 Jun 2013, 5:21 pm)BusStop wrote With regards to the Metro, less people are in work as well, which is reducing the number of people on the Metro.

In addition, the Metro is struggling with reliability and line closures, which I think are really impacting on those who undertake journeys. Once you choose an alternative, it can be difficult to bring them back.

The large scale closure in August is not going to help matters.

I don't think it's people out of work that is reducing the numbers on the Metro. ONS reports that unemployment in the region actually fell 1.1% between Feb-April 2012, and Feb-April 2013. Agree with the points about reliability though.