UK Treasury Minister Andrew Jones announced that the government will allot £337 million (EUR 380 million) to Tyne and Wear Metro for the replacement of its 40-year-old trains with a new fleet.
“This historic deal, including £600 million of government investment is yet another example of how we are backing the North. It will bolster the local economy in the North of Tyne and generate thousands of new jobs. This deal comes on top of a Budget that delivers brand new trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro, freezes fuel duty for the eighth year running and supports business with a cut in business rates,” Andrew Jones said.
Tyne and Wear Metro operator, Nexus, said that will soon launch the tender to select the train supplier and the new trains are estimated to be put into service in 2021.
“We will now begin a demanding but exciting programme to choose a supplier and see trains designed and built to enter service from 2021. Between now and then we will continue to provide and improve the frequent and reliable Metro service our passengers expect, while working towards a bright future,” Tobyn Hughes Managing Director of Nexus said.
Metro carries 40 million passengers a year, offering services in North East England.
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