Last chance to have your say on new etro fleet

Concept designs for the new fleet of Tyne and Wear Metro trains

METRO passengers are running out of time to have their say on what they would like to see in the new Metro trains.

Nexus revealed its new yellow colour scheme for the new carriages last month, which should be rolled out on to tracks from 2023.

The 42 state-of-the-art trains, which will be 15 times more reliable and will cut energy consumption by 30%, will have modern features including charging points, air conditioning and a stepchange in accessibility.

Now the attention has turned to shaping the final interior design, with train bosses launching a consultation to allow customers to voice their opinion.

It had been hoped that a life-sized model of the new train could have been taken on a tour of Tyne and Wear for passengers to give feedback, but that was not possible due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, a virtual tour of a carriage is available online – allowing passengers to explore and provide their views on important features.

More than 20,000 have already had

their say on improving the onboard experience, from decoration and wheelchair access to bike racks and grab poles.

And Metro passengers are being reminded that this is their last chance to participate in the consultation, which is set to close on Friday.

Huw Lewis, customer services director at Nexus, said: “I don’t believe anyone has gone this far before in really involving customers in the design of a new train fleet.

“It is unprecedented for users to be asked their views on so many elements of a new train design, but this £362m fleet is being built specially for Metro, so we took that chance.

“We’re delighted to say that more than 20,000 people have got involved so far, which shows how important Metro is to our everyday lives.

“There are only a few days of consultation left, so if you haven’t already done so, please go online and have your say. Theses crucial little details can make a huge difference to the passenger experience and we want as much feedback as possible before the design is finalised.”

You can explore and have your say on the new Metro train interiors until Friday, October 16, at www.metrofutures. org.uk.