Railway workers on the national rail network are going on strike over pay and jobs.
The strikes, which Nexus employees are not part of, are due to take place on 24 and 26 December; 3-4 and 6-7 January.
How will the strike affect Metro?
Tyne and Wear Metro employees are not taking industrial action, but there will be an impact on Metro services operating between Pelaw and South Hylton because this stretch of line is part of the national rail network which is owned and managed by Network Rail.
If Network Rail does not have enough people at work to operate signals then train services cannot run.
How will services be Metro services affected between Pelaw and South Hylton?
No Metro services will be running between Pelaw and South Hylton on 13/14 December, 16/17 December, 3/4 January, and 6/7 January.
On Christmas Eve, Saturday 24 December, there will be no services Pelaw – South Hylton from 6pm due to the strike. There is also a strike on Boxing Day, Monday 26 December and this means no services on the Sunderland line.
Customers travelling in this area on that date will need to find alternative modes of travel. Please check our Journey Planner for bus options.
It is not possible to provide replacement buses at short notice on other strike days, so customers should find alternative travel or put off their journeys.
Will there be ticket acceptance on local bus routes in the affected area?
Yes, for season ticket holders, there will be ticket acceptance on the following buses. Stagecoach: X24,18/18A, 8, 10/11; Gateshead Central Taxis: 558
Will Metro services be affected on the days after the strikes?
Yes. The strike will mean that services between Pelaw and South Hylton will not start until 7am on 15 December, 18 December, 5 January and 8 January.
Will the rest of the Metro network be affected?
Some early morning trains elsewhere on the system will not operate.