Tyne and Wear Metro

Crimzz said:

What they should do in monument is raise the roof to make it feel bigger, also been told that they are reinstating a passage way next to Sainsburys not sure how or were it will go.

Click to expand...

The lights being white instead of the dirty yellow would help a ton too. I've noticed two or three lights on Gateshead platform 1 are new and they make the station look so much nicer, but because it's that small section it barely makes a difference except for 4 or 5 metres of the platform!

I think the new passage may lead to Fenwicks with Caffe Nero being on the left side and Sainsburys on the right. It would seem that way, if going by the workers in Fenwicks today. Will go along tomorrow and see if I can see anything else going on.

Also Sainsburys is due to open on 31st October apparently so maybe everything is in final stages.


--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Two Metro safety videos released today about holding train doors open.

One is an animation, plenty of people moaning about it mind - as always! Link is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0EEucaCQuA

The other is CCTV footage from people holding train doors. Link is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exqBIx-V-_Y

I think whoever the people created that video needs their heads examined, I'm all for humour but when you see an animation of heads being beheaded by the doors and a dog being beheaded by the moving train and someone getting electrocuted by the closing doors then I'm sorry, the videos loses all credibility and it just looks like its a complete joke when infact the message they are trying to send out is a serious one.

I got to say though, some of those CCTV footage is shocking and does show what could happen if the doors dont bounce back, as we can see, its not just the young ones who are doing this also but you will never totally tackle the problem because the natural instinct for some people when they see a train on a platform is to run as fast as you can and try and board the train but surely common sence should apply that once they are closing, just don't chance it because we can see what can happen.

It would seem drivers need to look at their mirrors more, the incident at South Hylton is probably the most shocking one for me, the fact the incident happened at South Hylton could of easily meant there may of been no passengers on the rear of the train to push the Emergency Buttons/Levers. The incident at Haymarket with the old woman a bit strange, I can only assume the driver thought she was not boarding the train as she went past the first door and went towards the open one. My first thought was maybe that door was out of order but this can't be the case as the light above the door was green so it could not of been isolated by the driver.

I do hope door modifications have been made because there has been too many incidents of doors not bouncing back open it would seem but common sence does need to apply from passengers though, so what if you have to wait 20mins(one poster on facebook said that!) for another train, rather do that than potentially taking a train out of service through your own stupidity.

One is an animation, plenty of people moaning about it mind - as always! Link is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0EEucaCQuA

The other is CCTV footage from people holding train doors. Link is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exqBIx-V-_Y

Click to expand...

I have to say I really like the cartoon. It is a great way of presenting safety advice in an exciting and memorable way. I'm sure many people will moan about it but lets be honest, the cartoon gets the message across and us talking... would a boring poster do the same?

AutoKratz said:

I have to say I really like the cartoon. It is a great way of presenting safety advice in an exciting and memorable way. I'm sure many people will moan about it but lets be honest, the cartoon gets the message across and us talking... would a boring poster do the same?

Click to expand...

Exactly! Also, Metro made it so people will moan. When don't they :P

Paul_10 said:

I think whoever the people created that video needs their heads examined, I'm all for humour but when you see an animation of heads being beheaded by the doors and a dog being beheaded by the moving train and someone getting electrocuted by the closing doors then I'm sorry, the videos loses all credibility and it just looks like its a complete joke when infact the message they are trying to send out is a serious one.

Click to expand...

could be worse

Paul_10 said:

I think whoever the people created that video needs their heads examined, I'm all for humour but when you see an animation of heads being beheaded by the doors and a dog being beheaded by the moving train and someone getting electrocuted by the closing doors then I'm sorry, the videos loses all credibility and it just looks like its a complete joke when infact the message they are trying to send out is a serious one.

Click to expand...

I think the video puts across the serious message very well, it's light hearted but quite harrowing at the same time. The beheading of cartoon characters shows the serious implications of holding the doors open and also makes it suitable for viewing audiences.

We've had a cracker from Metro tonight as an excuse! 'Atmospheric Weather Conditions'

On Facebook:



And then on the Nexus website:

I think Nexus need to employ someone with a bit more savvy than the tea boy or more likely a senior manager who's playing. Come on guys, the general public aren't quite that thick, even though you may think so....

Trains delayed again due to atmospheric weather conditions. These guys don't do themselves any favours.

Oh dear, and I was amused when they refer to small amounts of rain, snow or hot weather as "extreme". Seems to pale in comparison to this...

I know railways are rather sensitive to certain weather conditions, but it really does seem like Metro stops working properly in just about all conditions other than a mild day with no wind or rain and not too much sun.

Tyneside doesn't exactly have the harshest of climates...

Paul_10 said:

I think whoever the people created that video needs their heads examined, I'm all for humour but when you see an animation of heads being beheaded by the doors and a dog being beheaded by the moving train and someone getting electrocuted by the closing doors then I'm sorry, the videos loses all credibility and it just looks like its a complete joke when infact the message they are trying to send out is a serious one.

Click to expand...

I don't agree. I think most of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s remember the Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake guide to rail safety, and that a bloke in it getting decapitated by a tunnel wall. That's clearly the tone the video is set to.

The CCTV footage is more what bothers me. That is simply a compilation tape of Metro drivers who are not doing their jobs properly. Those pretty mirrors and monitors are at the platform ends for a reason. Given that T&W Metro just got a stern telling off from RAIB for failing to maintain doors and for drivers failing to ensure the doors were clear, I'm astounded that DB Regio have the chutzpah to show it.

If a passenger is dragged along a metro platform because he's stuck in the door, then that is a driver who is clearly not safe to be out on the network.

Atmospheric weather conditions... I know its nearly Halloween but come on, even I can't defend them on this one... you do wonder whether there is common sence at Nexus/DB Regio HQ at times with that "door safety video" and all these constant service disruptions(of course, we know the leaves on the line is NOT an excuse but the train realiability is a cause for concern) and now we have Atmospheric weather conditions being the reason why there are delays! The "extreme heat" one is also comical even though there is truth that the rails expand in hot weather but yet temps of up to 25C is classed as "extreme heat"

Also even I have to admit, the responces are poor from whoever runs the facebook page, really poor. I think someone asked them a question and it was just a copied and pasted answer from another question yet it did not actually answer the posters question at all.

That said, passengers who are late for work is a little hard to sympathise, you should leave plenty of time incase their are delays and most of the delays recently have been minor so clearly people get the metro and they turn up to work with not too much room for error.

Running a reduced timetable due to the wheel slip conditions.

The Facebook group doesn't really do the company any favours and in all honesty I doubt it actually helps passengers. Too many trolls on there and a lot of people who complain about very little.

The reduced timetable is a big problem. Not just for the actual delay, but for the capacity problems. Their twitter feed is a constant stream of people complaining about not being physically able to get on a Metro. That changes a 5 minute delay to a 25 minute delay immediately. How early should someone set off for work?

I was worried when DB Regio took the contract as to which face of DB we'd get. Sadly it looks like we got the brains who ran the Berlin S-Bahn.

Arctic Troll said:

I was worried when DB Regio took the contract as to which face of DB we'd get. Sadly it looks like we got the brains who ran the Berlin S-Bahn.

Click to expand...

Any timetable change has to go through Nexus, so they also have input. What perhaps would be better is to extend some of the services that currently terminate at Pelaw through to South Shields (and if possible, Sunderland or South Hylton). An extra train per hour in the peak would be an improvement, however would need the timetable rejigging.

I am unsure about the morning shorts, but I am a regular user of the evening shorts and i see about 3 in a car at times. If I have just missed a shield/Sunderland one and the short is the next one and its more than 5 mins then it can be busy, but we are talking 10-15 in a car

ChathillMan said:

I am unsure about the morning shorts, but I am a regular user of the evening shorts and i see about 3 in a car at times. If I have just missed a shield/Sunderland one and the short is the next one and its more than 5 mins then it can be busy, but we are talking 10-15 in a car

Click to expand...

Off topic, but out of curiosity, judging by your username, do you travel on any of the Newcastle - Chathill trains? How many people actually board/alight at Chathill?

Extra trains to South Shields would be difficult to implement because of the two long single track sections between Pelaw and Tyne Dock, as well as the single track platform at South Shields.

As for the "shorts", it depends what time you get them and where they're going, also where you see them. The "shorts" to Regent Centre or Monkseaton tend to be pretty well loaded, the "shorts" to Benton less so. Going the other way the Pelaw trains tend to be pretty well loaded.

It's a shame that the bay platform at North Shields has been taken out of use, as "shorts" between there and St James would be very useful in the peaks.

Arctic Troll said:

Extra trains to South Shields would be difficult to implement because of the two long single track sections between Pelaw and Tyne Dock, as well as the single track platform at South Shields.

Click to expand...

Before the South Hylton line trains to South Shields used to be every 6 minutes. They would pass at Hebburn next to the crossing, then they would also meet at Jarrow/Bede. After that they would then run to South Shields where they would have a 4 minute turn around which is similar to what they have now anyway - in fact I think they now get 5 minutes.

Arctic Troll said:

As for the "shorts", it depends what time you get them and where they're going, also where you see them. The "shorts" to Regent Centre or Monkseaton tend to be pretty well loaded, the "shorts" to Benton less so. Going the other way the Pelaw trains tend to be pretty well loaded.

It's a shame that the bay platform at North Shields has been taken out of use, as "shorts" between there and St James would be very useful in the peaks.

Click to expand...

I've never seen a Pelaw train well loaded, they always tend to have one or two free seats with the odd few people standing.

The bay at North Shields can still be used, but only as a turnaround point. Trains could terminate at Meadow Well then continue empty to North Shields. I'm sure that would help as it still clears quite a lot.

ModernRailways said:

Before the South Hylton line trains to South Shields used to be every 6 minutes. They would pass at Hebburn next to the crossing, then they would also meet at Jarrow/Bede. After that they would then run to South Shields where they would have a 4 minute turn around which is similar to what they have now anyway - in fact I think they now get 5 minutes.



I've never seen a Pelaw train well loaded, they always tend to have one or two free seats with the odd few people standing.

The bay at North Shields can still be used, but only as a turnaround point. Trains could terminate at Meadow Well then continue empty to North Shields. I'm sure that would help as it still clears quite a lot.

Click to expand...

they could continue to nsheilds anyway and use the crossover just before hylton street then change ends and come back to st james using platform 2

Arctic Troll said:

Extra trains to South Shields would be difficult to implement because of the two long single track sections between Pelaw and Tyne Dock, as well as the single track platform at South Shields.

Click to expand...

Can be done quite easily, which is what happens on the Great North Run. IIRC the frequency this year was just about every 8 minutes. Although the single lines between Pelaw - Hebburn, Hebburn - Jarrow and Jarrow -Bede do limit the frequency, there is a restriction of how many trains can be on the line due to drawing too much power from the overheads. Too many in one section trips the substation, so it has to be carefully managed.

In an ideal world one of the south facing bays at Tynemouth should have been kept. Not entirely sure why North Shields was chosen to have a bay, but what is for sure is that it cannot be used now.

Instead of terminating at Meadow Well, you could go through into platform 2 at North Shields if there is enough time between trains, and change ends in the platform.

Does anybody know if 4044 and 4053 are in use at the moment planning to go on Wednesday. Did a trip last Wednesday and did not see either. All I know is 4053 is refurbished and 4044 was the flood damaged one but have read it was back in action earlier on this year.

87101 said:

Does anybody know if 4044 and 4053 are in use at the moment planning to go on Wednesday. Did a trip last Wednesday and did not see either. All I know is 4053 is refurbished and 4044 was the flood damaged one but have read it was back in action earlier on this year.

Click to expand...

4044 is out of use at the moment as it is being refurbished, though it had been in service for some time following flood damage repairs

4053 should be out and about (it was refurbished a year ago) but I haven't seen it recently

4053 should have been out today.

Tramfan said:

4044 is out of use at the moment as it is being refurbished, though it had been in service for some time following flood damage repairs

4053 should be out and about (it was refurbished a year ago) but I haven't seen it recently

Click to expand...

Many thanks for the info I take it 4044 is at Doncaster. I was not sure this one would get refurbished. Will put my trip off until it comes back.

Well the touch in/touch out isn't working so well. The staff are out in force to try and teach people. Sadly Nexus have failed in their information and implementation of this one.

Tomorrow at Haymarket should be interesting...

D.

14xxDave said:

Well the touch in/touch out isn't working so well. The staff are out in force to try and teach people. Sadly Nexus have failed in their information and implementation of this one.

Tomorrow at Haymarket should be interesting...

D.

Click to expand...

I'm still yet to have seen an actual advert for it. They have posted on Facebook and Twitter, but how many people actually use them?

ModernRailways said:

I'm still yet to have seen an actual advert for it. They have posted on Facebook and Twitter, but how many people actually use them?

Click to expand...

There are PA announcements going around with that "colourful" male voice regarding the new ticket gates/validators being in operation.

Since the announcements of these being switched on next week, I have not yet had to use the gates which is a tad surprising but see how long this will be the case, would it be a big surprise if the gates permanently being used won't occur until next summer and not Spring like it has been planned.

On a side note, 4011, 4059, and 4013 are all now refurbished and in service in recent weeks.

I will be at Gateshead Stadium on Sat Nov 16 for the Gateshead v Salisbury football match. How long will it take me to get back from the stadium to central station? I assume walking to Gateshead Stadium metro station is the quickest route. I have to catch a 17.25 train from Newcastle.

Paul_10 said:

There are PA announcements going around with that "colourful" male voice regarding the new ticket gates/validators being in operation.

Click to expand...

Ah yes, heard that for the first time today whilst waiting for a train that unsurprisingly never showed up.

Paul_10 said:

Since the announcements of these being switched on next week, I have not yet had to use the gates which is a tad surprising but see how long this will be the case, would it be a big surprise if the gates permanently being used won't occur until next summer and not Spring like it has been planned.

Click to expand...

Apparently the gates are being switched on in phases as you need a certain number of staff to operate them over the first week or so. I've been to Haymarket, Monument, Central, and Heworth all in the same day (about 2 hours apart, I did Haymarket-Central, and then Monument to Heworth) and never once did I see a barrier being done.

I personally think Metro should have done similar to what they did with the ticket machines and placed people at stations for the first week (Possibly just Monday/Tuesday and then Friday/Saturday) telling people what to do, and handing out leaflets.

Waiting on the platform today two people with Gold Cards heard the announcement telling you to touch in/out and they went over to the validator and said 'Oh, it says smart cards only. Where are we supposed to do it?' I told them that there Gold Card was on their ENCTS bus pass and so to touch that on the validator then when you get to your destination either touch on the validator like you just did or to touch on the orange section on the front top of the barrier. There response was 'Oh, why do we need all this new stuff. It worked the old way so why change it. *Huff* Thank you'.

Nexus really aren't doing themselves any favours here and I must say they have well and truly messed this whole thing up. And activating them at Christmas is going to be fun - not.

At Central the other day they all had to be opened because people were queuing all the way to the escalator because no-ones tickets/cards were working and staff cards were being temperamental.

My card has shown up multiple errors 'Card can't be read' move to another barrier and it works. 'Ticket not valid' it was. Then when I got on the bus literally 1 minute after touching out it didn't work on the bus either. Driver asked if I'd just got off the Metro and used it there and when I said Yes he said that a few other people were having a similar problem. I got on the same bus with the same driver on my way back and my card worked, the driver said it looks like there is a problem with the barriers and our machines not working properly. He also said he would be reporting it to his manager to get it investigated, whether it is or not is anyones guess.

I would moan on the Nexus forums to get an actual response but my browser seems to hate the forums and I can never post anything properly. I live in the hope that Huw still checks this forum as emailing Nexus themselves seems to take months for a response - at least it has on the past four attempts.