Metro gates back on track with funding

A Metro station upgrade project is now underway to improve public safety.

Work has begun at Regent Centre Metro station on the first new automatic ticket gates to be installed on the Tyne and Wear Metro in over a decade.

The £2.1 million investment is part of a wider £208 million transport package announced by North East mayor Kim McGuinness.

More than 1.3 million passengers pass through Regent Centre each year. 

Officials say the new gates will be supported by Metro’s customer service team to deter fare dodging and improve safety, particularly for women and girls.

The busy interchange, which links Metro with bus routes into Northumberland, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Mayor McGuinness said: “Everyone should feel safe when using public transport, but sadly I know that too often this isn’t the reality, particularly for women and girls I speak to.

“I promised to put ticket barriers and staff at more Metro stations and now we have committed the money to do that.

“I’m pleased to see work starting so there will be barriers at Regent Centre by the end of this year.

“This is just the start of our multi-million-pound investment to make public transport safer by replacing unwanted old bus shelters right across the North East, putting in better lighting and updating CCTV.”

Nexus, which operates Metro, is now reviewing other key stations to extend the rollout.

Existing gates are already in place at 13 locations, including Haymarket, Monument and South Shields.

Paul Welford, major projects director at Nexus, added: “I’m delighted to confirm that the installation of new ticket gates on Metro is underway, supporting North East mayor Kim McGuinness’ pledge to make public transport safer.

“The focus of this phase of the scheme is Regent Centre Metro station near Newcastle, which will be getting new ticket gates installed.

“This will help to make this busy suburban station more secure and help us to lower Metro fare evasion.

“A feasibility study will identify which other stations on the Metro system would be suitable for the installation of new ticket gates.

“It will determine how many stations will be incorporated into the programme, with considerations including safety, security, revenue protection and optimum value for money.

“At present, 13 out of our 60 stations have ticket gates.

“These include the busiest stations on Metro and it means that, in normal circumstances, 75 per cent of customers must pass through a ticket gate either at the start or end of their journey.

“New ticket gates help us to safely control customer flow and access to stations.

“This increases security and safety allowing only those travelling on Metro to access the platform.”

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