Metro suspension: What we know so far about 'power supply' outage on Tyne & Wear Metro
by Adam Foster · ChronicleLiveSevere disruption and service suspension has affected the Tyne & Wear Metro this morning, with Friday's commutes to work and school impacted for many people across Tyneside.
Here is everything we know so far about the Metro disruption - you can also follow live updates as work is carried out to get Metros running again here.
Where are Metros off?
The Metro service remains suspended in both directions this morning between Pelaw and South Shields, Pelaw and South Hylton and St James - Monkseaton.
Trains ARE operating between Pelaw and Monkseaton and the Airport, but to limited frequency. Stations outside this area have no trains running.
What has caused it?
Metro say the severely reduced service this morning is due to an earlier power supply issue at Gosforth depot.
Stadler run the Gosforth depot, where the earlier power failure happened. We have contacted them for comment.
What are Nexus saying?
Nexus is advising customers to "seek alternative arrangements" where possible.
Kevin Storey, Metro Operations Director, said: “We’ve been experiencing major disruption to Metro services today, Friday 8 November.
“The disruption has been caused by a power outage at Gosforth Metro Depot just before 5am which meant we couldn’t put trains into service. Stadler, who manage the depot on behalf of Nexus, is investigating the cause of the fault.
“We were able to start putting some of our trains into service by 5.16am
“The power supply issue then created a problem with the Metro signalling control system.
“This has meant we have only been able to get a limited number of trains into service so far today. Our team at the Metro Control are working with external providers to resolve this now with an aim to resume a fuller service asap.
“I’m grateful to customers for their patience during this ongoing period of service disruption and I apologise for any inconvenience.
“At the moment we have Metro trains operating from Pelaw to Airport and Pelaw to Monkseaton with a 20-minute frequency in place, with an aim to increase that service provision to the rest of the network shortly.
“Metro remains suspended Pelaw to South Shields / South Hylton and Monkseaton to St James.
“Metro tickets and passes are valid on local bus routes.
“We are ensuring our customers are up to date with regular communication via station announcements and electronic display screens, our email travel alerts, Pop App alerts,on our website www.nexus.org.uk and via our X page (formerly Twitter) @My_Metro.”
What are the alternatives?
Metro tickets are valid on all local bus services - Stagecoach, Arriva and Go North East.
Customers travelling between Newcastle, Heworth and Sunderland can also use Metro all zone tickets on local Northern Rail services in either direction between Newcastle Central and Sunderland Station via Heworth.
When will it be fixed?
Metro staff are working on the issue. It is still unknown how long services are going to be affected and when the problem will be resolved.