The £30m modernisation of Tyne and Wear Metro trains has reached the halfway mark, with the project on schedule to be completely finished by May 2015.
Extensive refurbishment work has been completed on a total of 43 Metro cars, which are now back in service, with a further 43 set to be ready by next year. The work has seen the existing Metro fleet undergo numerous updates and improvements, providing passengers with a brighter and more comfortable journey, for many years to come.
The Metro trains, which are more than 30 years-old, are being upgraded as part of the £389m Metro: all change modernisation programme, a Government-funded scheme to provide refurbished trains, new-look Metro stations, new tracks and other essential rail infrastructure.
Nexus, which owns and manages Metro, commissioned the fleet refurbishment project in 2010 when Metro modernisation funding was given the green light.
DB Regio, which operates trains and stations on behalf of Nexus, is delivering, as part of its contract, the ‘three-quarter life’ refurbishment, which is being carried out by Wabtec in Doncaster, a company which has carried out similar projects for London Underground trains.
The Metro cars have been have been stripped down to their frames and then built back up again.
Key improvements include improved accessibility for wheel chair users and a newly installed call for aid system which enables passengers to communicate directly with the driver in case of emergency, such as a passenger being taken ill.
The door control systems have been replaced and a new and improved door opening and closing sounder has also been installed, designed to give passengers more warning and limit the number of people boarding the train at the last minute and obstructing the doors.
Cosmetic updates include the renewal of all of the interior and exterior, replacing old paint work and livery design with new, installing new passenger seating and replacing drivers’ seats and updating the lighting with an energy efficient system.
The refurbished trains have a sleek light metallic grey and black finish, incorporating the iconic bright yellow brand colour of the Tyne and Wear Metro. The new colour scheme replaces the ‘red, green or blue’ Metro train liveries, which date back to the mid 1990s, when the fleet last underwent its half-life refurbishment.
Director of Rail and Infrastructure for Nexus, Raymond Johnstone, said: “The £30m refurbishment of the Metro fleet is right on track to be completed next year. We are now at the half way point, with 43 carriages refurbished, which is a significant milestone in the £389m Metro all change programme.
“When Nexus secured the funding from the Government a significant proportion of that investment was earmarked for the train fleet modernisation work. The trains are over 30 years old so this aspect of the project is vital to ensure Metro’s long term future. I’m looking forward to marking the completion of the fleet refurbishment work in 2015.”
Louise Shaw, Engineering Director at DB Regio Tyne and Wear, said: “We first began the project to refurbish the existing fleet in 2010 and have come a long way since then, with half of the trains having now undergone an extensive update.
“A variety of members of staff have worked tirelessly in different ways to help us reach this point and will continue to do so until all Metro cars in the fleet have received the planned improvements and innovations.
“Feedback from customers regarding the new trains already in circulation has been extremely positive and we are now focusing on refurbishing the remaining cars, to help ensure all passengers receive a reliable and comfortable journey with Metro, in the future.”