1971: Transport planners devise a light rail solution for urban transport integration on Tyneside.
1972: Following extensive lobbying the Government agrees to fund the Metro project.
1974: Construction gets underway with tunnels driven beneath the streets of Newcastle and new viaducts built across the River Tyne and Ouseburn.
1975: Prototype passenger cars begin trials at a purpose built Metro test centre.
1981: Metro is officially opened by The Queen.
1984: The final phase of 55km Metro system is opened in South Shields.
1991: The Metro link to Newcastle Airport is completed.
1996: Railway privatisation, but Nexus, the new name for the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority, keeps its responsibility for Metro.
2002: The £100m extension of Metro to Sunderland is opened by The Queen.
2005: Metro marks its 25th anniversary.
2009: Nexus secures funding for Metro modernisation, securing the long-term future of the system.