... One of the routes follows a circular path via the coast, visiting stations such as Whitley Bay, Tynemouth etc – making it an ideal way for tourists or locals to get to the coast. For people who use the metro service regularly it means that most parts of Newcastle can be access fairly easily ... Read review
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Advantages: Good when it works well Disadvantages: Which is not that often
I have used the Metro system ever since its inception in (runs off to Wikipedia to check) in 1980. Back then it was a brand new, shiny system and it used to cost the princely sum of 5p to travel into Newcastle city centre from where I lived. Things have changed a lot since then and not just the prices.
The routes
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The metro system is made up of several routes, all of which converge at Monument metro station, which ... ...follows a circular path via the coast, visiting stations such as Whitley Bay, Tynemouth etc – making it an ideal way for tourists or locals to get to the coast. For people who use the metro service regularly it means that most parts of Newcastle can be access fairly easily by this route – if there is not a station immediately near where you want to be then you can get close enough to walk or get a bus to your destination.
I have used the Metro system ever since its inception in (runs off to Wikipedia to check) in 1980. Back then it was a brand new, shiny system and it used to cost the princely sum of 5p to travel into Newcastle city centre from where I lived. Things have changed a lot since then and not just the prices.
The routes ======== The metro system is made up of several routes, all of which converge at Monument metro station, which is the centre of Newcastle. One of the routes follows a circular path via the coast, visiting stations such as Whitley Bay, Tynemouth etc – making it an ideal way for tourists or locals to get to the coast. For people who use the metro service regularly it means that most parts of Newcastle can be access fairly easily by this route – if there is not a station immediately near where you want to be then you can get close enough to walk or get a bus to your destination.
The second route (and for me the most useful one) runs to Newcastle Airport from the city centre. I have used this route many times and have found it invaluable as it means I can get from home to the airport for approximately 1/10 of what it would cost in a taxi. Admittedly it is a lot slower, but if I have time on my hands I would always choose to use this route.
The third (and most recent) route runs from Newcastle City Centre to Sunderland and on to the outskirts of Sunderland. I have only used this route a couple of times (I don’t often feel the need to go to Sunderland), but from my limited observations this seems a spectacularly unpopular route (and indeed the local press seem to be of the same opinion as well). The main use for this route seems to be for people travelling to and from college/university or people going to the Newcastle v Sunderland derby matches (although this is strongly discouraged by the police). The creation of this route does not seem to have been backed with sufficient new trains either and the existing routes have suffered timetable cuts.
Ticketing ======= The entire metro system is divided into 3 zones, called spookily enough Zones 1, 2 and 3. The ticket prices are fixed for each Zone and at every metro station you simply find the ticket machine, look for you location and this will tell you the zone you need to pay for. This makes it quite easy to plan your route. Return tickets are also available and you can also get Day savers, which allow you to make unlimited journeys on the system. A single ticket for Zone 1 costs in the region of £2 per journey.
Good points ========= When everything goes well the Metro is a fantastic system, easily better than the Tube. The trains are bright and airy and because the majority of the route is above ground you don’t get the claustrophobic feeling I often find on the tube trains. The routes are cleverly designed so that you can get to most places in Newcastle (missing off the West End of Newcastle and the Metrocentre however).
Another good feature of the Metro system is that the trains run until after pub chucking out time. The last Metro I can get is around quarter to 12 meaning I can easily catch the last metro and save on taxi fares (you may be seeing from this review that I try and avoid taxis wherever possible).
Bad points ======== - Frequency of trains. With working in London, I am used to the tube coming every few minutes or so. The general wait time for a metro train is around 10 minutes on most lines. This does not sound a lot, but during the morning rush hour the trains can be incredibly packed and indeed it is sometimes impossible to get on a train and you have to wait for the next one. - Reliability of trains. This has been a bugbear for me for quite a while now. It seems more and more than Nexus (the company who run the Metro) are allowing the trains and tracks to fall into disrepair. Virtually every day it seems there are cancellations, due to the ubiquitous “technical difficulties”. This has a knock on effect with the previous point as well – one cancellation and all of the following trains are full. - Safety. Generally the metro system is very safe and certainly feels safer than, for example the Tube. I have noticed over the years that the metro is getting less and less safe and whilst I have never experienced problems myself I have seen incidents occur and have read about them in the paper. The main incidents seem to be either gangs of “chavs” who roam certain lines causing trouble and the late night metro, one line of which is particularly notorious for drink fuelled trouble. Nexus to their credit have tried to combat the late night problems by installing guards onto the trains and this seems to have curbed it somewhat. Other types of crime don’t seem to be a real problem on the system – pick pocketing etc is certainly not common.
Conclusion ======== In conclusion the metro is a good system, plagued by some of the problems found on most light rail services. With a little bit more investment it could be so much better though.
Advantages: Frequent, fast, clean, easy to use and get around, excellent accessibility Disadvantages: Lack of staff at stations, pricing not as good value as it used to be
The Tyne and Wear Metro system is without a doubt one of the best ways to get to where you're wanting to be, should you live in the North East of England. For over 9 years, I've relied upon this fairly frequent (and mostly on time) service to get me from home to my High School, then to Newcastle College and finally to work in Gateshead.
Overview of the System
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If you've ever travelled on the London Underground then ... ...Tyne and Wear Metro system is not like a regional train service which only stops at fairly major rail stations; most towns in the North East has it's own dedicated Metro station which is served by modern, clean and accessible two-carriage trains every day. In the past few years, the system extended to Sunderland, allowing thousands of people easy access to the heart of Newcastle and to the Quayside which is well known for its landmarks and nightlife.
...
sosull 14.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tyne and Wear Metro
Advantages: Quick, clean, reliable and modern service Disadvantages: Safety and Security problems, poor ticketing system
...scenario for users of the Tyne and Wear Metro.
But don’t get me wrong; the Metro is a good system, the above is just one of it’s many small faults. You often have to wait around 10 minutes for a train.
The Metro has been running since the early 80’s, originally operating around the River Tyne, Newcastle and Newcastle Airport area, but since 2001 has benefited from a multi-million pound extension to Sunderland. A full map of the system can be seen ... ...providing a light-rail system for Tyne and Wear. It has since been very successful, and I use it wherever possible.
The Trains
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Since around 1999 all metro trains have been subject to major refurbishment, changing the interiors and livery from the yellow and brown 1980’s look to a multi-coloured 21st Century look. Trains display the final destination they are travelling to on the front. On the outside trains are either painted red, ...
monkfeesh 12.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tyne and Wear Metro
Advantages: Quick and reliable...usually Disadvantages: Pain when the metros are off
...the coast North of the Tyne /South Shields on the coast South of the Tyne.It also links Newcastle to Gateshead International sports stadium.
The Metro is a fairly new system and was opened in 1980.The system is made up of sereval interconnecting lines, so make sure you get the right train.The trains run with a name of the destination at the top of the tram with a colour which shows which line you are on.Tickets should be bought before boarding the ... ...will be hit for a £10 fine.I will warn people to watch when collecting tickets from the bottom of the machines, as it is common for people to put things in the trays with arenot pleasant...trust me...so check before putting money in.
The Metro system is a popular and quick way for people to travel around Tyneside.I would recommend to stay clear of rush hours on a weekday, when overcrowding is a big problem.Vandalism is also a problem for the Metrosystem, ...
bazza1603 10.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tyne and Wear Metro
Advantages: Easy , Cheap and Frequent and good for wheelchairs/ prams Disadvantages: Doesnt go to the Metro Centre
...North Shields north of the Tyne , then down through Gateshead to South Shields.
The metros are well designed for disabled folk in wheel chairs and mothers with prams, as all the platforms are the same height as the trains, and the carraiges have wide doors and aisles. The Metro system doesnt allow normal bikes but fold up ones are permitted.
I've used it since 1987 and you get annoyed if you have to wait more than five minutes for your train. When ...
mikeydred 13.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Tyne and Wear Metro
Advantages: Quick and regular Disadvantages: Can be busy at times
The metro service throughout Tyne and Wear is great because it creates easy access to places throughout Tyne and Wear that would require several buses to get to. For tourists it opens up several key areas of the North East such as Newcastle city centre and the coast. A new extension in the process of being created will mean you will actually be able to access wearside which it has not done before. Fares are similer to bus fares and the number of ...
eljimbob 09.10.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Tyne and Wear Metro
Frequency of trains
Reliability of trains
Comfort of trains
On-board facilities
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I live in Tyne and Wear which means that I use the Metro rather than having to suffer the London Underground. I usually go to London for a weekend of 2 in the summer and every time that I do, I come back thankful that I don't have to get the tube every day.
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The metro is Newcastle's very own light rail system that makes travelling around Tyne and Wear a lot easier. The map is also easier to follow than it's counterpart in London. The metro system runs into Newcastle City Centre and you can travel out to the coast or across the Tyne to South Shields, it also goes right out to the airport. It comes regularly (longest wait about 15mins, but ususually every 5). You can also buy tickets that combine the metro with the bus system.
It does stop running at around 11.30/12am so if you want to enjoy the Geordie nightlife then plan on getting a taxi home.
Also please note that despite it's name, the metro does not run out to the Metro Centre (logic??) so if you want to go there then get a train from Central Station (about 10mins). ...
