Metro fares may increase, warns transport chief

METRO fare hikes could be needed to plug a £5million deficit, a transport boss has hinted.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

Councillors have been warned that the Tyne and Wear Metro is facing a multi-million pound shortfall that means its services will become “unsustainable” without action to boost income.

Cathy Massarella, managing director of Metro operator Nexus, has cautioned that bosses will need to “maximise” revenue from ticket fares and other sources. The Metro is currently in the process of rolling out a £362m new fleet of Swiss built trains, which is due to be fully in service by the end of 2026.

Major funding has also been secured this year for a proposed extension of the network to Washington and for an urgently needed replacement of its signalling system.

But Ms Massarella told a Newcastle City Council meeting last week that Nexus’ financial position was “difficult”

She added: “The combined challenges of the last five years have resulted in a financial structural deficit of over £5m.