Tyne and Wear metro system is a rapid transit and light rail system that serves North East England. The system began operations on 11th August 1980 and presently serves 60 stations. The system is a combination of underground metro, light rail, and long distance high speed railway system. The network has a total system length of 74.5 kilometers. It is operated by DB Regio Tyne & Wear Ltd on behalf of Nexus. As per 2012 statistics, the system had an average daily ridership of 103, 835 passengers. Out of the three metro systems in the United Kingdom, this system is the second largest.
Tyne & Wear Metro Map
Map of Type & Wear Metro showing various lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or Download the map in PDF.
Tyne & Wear Metro Hours
The metro service starts operations at 6:00 am and runs until 12:00 am. The frequency of trains during peak times is three minutes
Tyne & Wear Metro Fares, Tickets and Cards
For single journeys, riders can purchase a Single ticket. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes after purchase, and can also be used for continuous journey on the metro or local rail between New Castle and Sunderland. The price of the ticket is distance based. For travelling in one zone, the ticket price is £ 1.80, for two zones, the price is £ 2.70, and for three zones, the price is £ 3.40. These can be purchased from vending machines at all metro stations.
For unlimited travel in a day, on various forms of public transport like metro, ferry, rail, passengers can purchase a Metro day ticket. The ticket price is zone based. One zone ticket is priced at £ 2.70, Two Zone ticket costs £ 3.70, and a three zone ticket costs £ 4.60.
Adult Day tickets can be purchased for making more than a single or a return journey in a day using metro, or buses run by various operators. Under this category, a Day Rover ticket provides unlimited travel in one day within Tyne and Wear. The price of the ticket is £ 6.90. A Transfare ticket can be purchased, if more than one type of transport is needed for making a journey. Only one ticket needs to be purchased. Tranfare allows making a journey of two legs on different modes of transport. The second leg of the journey must start within 90 minutes of buying a ticket. If the entire journey is within one zone, riders can purchase 1 zone Transfare T1 that costs £ 2.80. For travelling on 2 different zones, 2 zones Transfare T2 can be purchased for £ 3.60. For travelling 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 years. These can be used for unlimited one day travel within Tyne and Wear and beyond.
Children under the age of five years can ride the metro for free. Children, who have an Under 16 Pop Card, have a child single fare of 60p at all times.
Travelling without a valid ticket can attract a penalty of £ 20 or lower. The fine can be paid on the spot or within 21 days. After the period of 21 days lapses, administration fee of £ 30 is added to the fine. The same amount is further added after 35 days, if the fine is not paid by then. Failure to pay the fine can lead to prosecution and conviction. The passengers however have a right to appeal against the penalty.
Tyne & Wear Metro Parking
Tyne & Wear metro offer free park and ride facility during summer in most stations. Some metro park and ride stations charge £1.60 a day.
Tyne & Wear Metro Rules and Tips
To ensure safety, the stations and trains are equipped with 24 hour CCTV cameras. Consumption of alcohol and smoking is not allowed at the stations and inside trains. The metro system is designed to provide easy access for people having impaired mobility. The metro allows the transit of only folded bicycles. Some stations also have bicycle parking, so that the riders can park and ride. Transit of small pets is also allowed provided they are under control or on a leash.
Parking is also provided for cars, at stations. Photography and video filming at stations and inside trains can be done after seeking permission in written, from the Metro Communications Department.
Tyne & Wear Metro Lines
Currently Tyne & Wear metro offer service through 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 moving towards south through the city center.
Additionally, there is a red line running between Heworth and Benton and blue line operates between St. James and North Shields. These two lines operate only during peak hours.