The Tyne and Wear Metro is a rapid transit and light rail system serving the North East of England. The system opened on 11 August 1980 and currently serves 60 stations. The system is a combination of underground metro, light rail and long-distance high speed rail. The network has a total system length of 74.5 kilometres. It is operated by DB Regio Tyne & Wear Ltd on behalf of Nexus. According to 2012 statistics, the system had an average daily ridership of 103,835 passengers. It is the second largest of the UK’s three metro systems.
Tyne & Wear Metro Map
Map of Type & Wear Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Type & Wear Metro map in PDF format.
Tyne & Wear Metro Hours
The metro service starts at 6:00 and runs until 12:00. Trains run every three minutes at peak times.
Tyne & Wear Metro Fares, Tickets and Cards
For single journeys, passengers can purchase a single ticket. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes after purchase and can also be used for a continuous journey on the metro or local rail between New Castle and Sunderland. The price of the ticket is based on the distance travelled. The ticket costs £1.80 for one zone, £2.70 for two zones and £3.40 for three zones. These can be purchased from ticket machines at all Underground stations.
For unlimited travel in one day on various forms of public transport such as the Metro, ferries and trains, passengers can purchase a Metro Day Pass. Ticket prices are zone based. A one-zone ticket costs £2.70, a two-zone ticket costs £3.70 and a three-zone ticket costs £4.60.
Adult Day Tickets can be purchased for more than one single or return journey in one day on the Underground or buses of different operators. Under this category, a Day Rover ticket allows unlimited travel within Tyne and Wear in one day. The ticket costs £6.90. A Transfare ticket can be bought when more than one form of transport is needed to make a journey. You only need to buy one ticket. Tranfare allows you to make a two-leg journey using different modes of transport. The second leg of the journey must start within 90 minutes of the purchase of the ticket. If the whole journey is within one zone, passengers can buy a 1 zone Transfare T1 which costs £2.80. For travel in 2 different zones, a 2 zone Transfare T2 can be purchased for £3.60. For travel in 3 zones, T3 can be purchased for £4.30.
Family/Group Tickets can also be purchased for a family of two adults and up to three children under the age of 14. These can be used for unlimited one day travel within Tyne and Wear and beyond.
Children under the age of five travel free on the Underground. Children with an Under 16 Pop Card are always entitled to a single child fare of 60p.
Travelling without a valid ticket can result in a fine of up to £20. The fine can be paid on the spot or within 21 days. After 21 days an administration fee of £30 will be added to the fine. The same amount will be added after 35 days if the fine has not been paid by then. Failure to pay the fine can lead to prosecution and conviction. However, passengers have the right to appeal against the fine.
Tyne & Wear Metro Parking
Tyne & Wear Metro offers free park and ride facilities at most stations throughout the summer. Some Metro Park and Ride stations charge £1.60 per day.
Tyne & Wear Metro Rules and Tips
For security purposes, stations and trains are equipped with 24-hour CCTV cameras. Alcohol consumption and smoking are not allowed in stations and trains. The Metro system is designed to provide easy access for people with reduced mobility. Only folded bicycles are allowed on the Metro. Some stations also have bicycle parking facilities so that passengers can park and ride. Small pets are also allowed, provided they are under control or on a lead.
Parking for cars is also available at stations. Photography and videography in stations and on trains can be done with written permission from the Metro Communications Department.
Tyne & Wear Metro Lines
Tyne & Wear Metro currently operates two lines.
- Green Line – The Green Line runs between Newcastle Airport and South Hylton through Newcastle upon Tyne city centre, Gateshead and Sunderland.
- Yellow Line – The yellow line runs between St James and South Shields through North Shields, Tynemouth, Whitelay Bay and south through the city centre.
There is also a red line between Heworth and Benton and a blue line between St James and North Shields. These two lines only operate at peak times.