The Tyne and Wear Metro has the fastest growing passenger numbers in the country outside of London.
The data, released by the Department for Transport (DfT) on Tuesday 9 June, showed that Metro had better passenger growth than newer transit systems in Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and Nottingham.
Metro had 38.1 million passenger journeys in the year – a 6.7% rise in passenger numbers.
Metro ticket sales went up by 4.4% in 2014/15, with ticket revenue totalling £47.9m.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said the growth in passenger numbers was down to ticket prices being kept low and because of the improving economic climate.
Metro’s passenger growth was only bettered by the Docklands Light Railway in London.
Cllr Nick Forbes, lead for transport on the North East Combined Authority said: “The Metro system is the most affordable light rail system of its kind in the country as ticket prices have been kept in line with inflation which is good for the travelling public. The additional income raised by increased patronage will be invested back into the service to ensure that it continues to improve its performance.
“The Metro is a very sustainable form of transport removing 15 million car journeys from Tyne and Wear’s roads every year, and I expect passenger experience to improve as the network undergoes its extensive modernisation programme.”
Director of Rail and Infrastructure for Nexus, Raymond Johnstone, said: “The growth in Metro passengers has been matched by growing revenue from ticket sales, which is good news because, while Nexus makes no profit from Metro, we also do not need to ask for a penny from local councils to support running costs in the year ahead.
“Metro remains the most affordable light rail network in the UK. We have kept prices low and this has helped to stimulate rising patronage.
“Our customers recognise Metro offers frequent, convenient and good value travel, while we're also working hard to drive up performance standards with our concessionaire, DB Regio
“We are also investing £389m in the modernisation of Metro, including refurbished stations and trains, and we are now seeing the benefits of that programme.
“The Metro system is vital for getting people to places of employment, which helps to drive economic growth. The gradually improving economic climate is clearly an important factor.”