All 46 new Tyne and Wear Metro trains now in service

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 15:59 · Archive

All 46 new trains in the Tyne and Wear Metro's £362 million fleet are now ready for service.

The Tyne and Wear Metro's £362 million fleet renewal is complete, with Nexus confirming on Wednesday that all 46 new trains supplied by Swiss manufacturer Stadler are now available for daily service. The last of the original trains were retired this summer, ending the gradual decline that left them increasingly plagued by breakdowns after more than four decades in operation.

The new trains have already delivered measurable improvements. Punctuality figures show 89.2% of trains arriving on time so far in 2026/27, continuing an upward trend from 75.9% in 2023/24, 79.4% in 2024/25, and 83.7% in 2025/26.

The rollout has not been without problems. The new trains' first journey was delayed by more than a year, and they subsequently faced issues with air conditioning and suspension systems. North East mayor Kim McGuinness has also called for action to reduce failures linked to the signalling system and power lines.

McGuinness has set ambitious targets for the Metro's improvement. She has demanded that it become a 'world class' transport system by 2028 and ordered that train frequency be increased to a minimum of one every 10 minutes from December. She said: 'I said I wanted Metro to once again be the world class public transport North East people deserve, and passengers can now see we are delivering on that commitment.'

How it is being reported

• Final new Metro train handed over to complete new £362m fleet“These fantastic trains will serve the people of Tyne and Wear for many years to come”Shields Gazette · 22 Oct, 15:25
• Final new Metro train handed over to complete new £362m fleet“These fantastic trains will serve the people of Tyne and Wear for many years to come”Sunderland Echo · 22 Oct, 15:25
• Every new Tyne and Wear Metro train now ready to use - as bosses target mayor's 'world class' demandLatest figures show Tyne and Wear Metro services are gradually becoming more reliable, as transport chiefs celebrate the full rollout of their £362m new fleetChronicleLive · 21 Oct, 17:37

In this story: Tyne and Wear Metro · Nexus · Stadler · Kim McGuinness · North East

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