The Tyne and Wear Metro has announced that it will be running additional services during the busy festive season, including late night services on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Extra Metro trains are scheduled to help shoppers, families and partygoers as they descend on the region’s shopping centres, nightspots and Christmas markets.
The additional Christmas Metro services will be in operation throughout December, providing a higher frequency of service during Metro’s busiest months of the year.
A normal Sunday service will run on Christmas Eve until about 6.30pm, with an hourly service thereafter (and a 30 minute service in Newcastle city centre) until about 11pm.
On Boxing Day a normal Saturday service will run between about 8am and 8pm, but Sunderland station will be closed, with trains running straight through.
A normal weekday service will run from Wednesday 27 December until Friday 29 December, with a normal Saturday service on Saturday 30 December.
Trains will also run to a Sunday timetable on New Year’s Eve until approximately 10pm then at a half hourly frequency (and a 15 minute service in Newcastle city centre) until the end of service. There will be additional trains running to accommodate extra travellers expected around the New Year’s Eve Parade at Exhibition Park and the Town Moor in Newcastle.
Metro Services Director, Chris Carson, said: “The festive period is a busy time for everyone as they do last minute shopping and enjoy days and nights out with friends and family. Metro is on hand to get you there – whether you’re trying to get hold of this year’s must have Christmas gift, going to meet Santa in his grotto, skating at Sunderland or Newcastle’s outdoor ice rinks, or taking in a show at one of this year’s pantos.
“During this busy time of year, when traffic becomes heavier and parking can be difficult, travelling by Metro is quick and convenient. We hope the extra Metro services will help make life easier for our passengers, take some of the stress out of Christmas shopping, and allow them to make the most of the festive season.”
The times vary depending on the train destination and customers are therefore advised to check times before travelling. For full information about service times, visit www.nexus.org.uk/metro/updates
No trains will be in operation on Christmas Day and on New Year’s Day.
The timetable returns to normal service from Tuesday 2 January.
In addition to the extra services, Metro has teamed up with a number of local businesses across Type and Wear to offer exclusive deals to Metro customers.
Deals include 10% off at MFA Bowl in Sunderland, 2 for 1 tickets for New Year New Artists at The Sage Gateshead, free cake with any main meal at Meet & Treat Noodle House in Newcastle, tapas for £5 at River Beat, and a free drink with any hot waffle and ice cream at Minchella & Co in South Shields.
For full terms and conditions and information about how to claim, visit www.nexus.org.uk/metro/offers
For regular travel updates regarding Tyne and Wear Metro follow @My_Metro on Twitter, find Metro on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mymetrotw, call Nexus on 0191 20 20 747 or visit www.nexus.org.uk/metro