Nexus and Stadler Complete Delivery of £362 Million Class 555 Train Fleet as Tyne and Wear Metro Advances Network-Wide Transition to Modern Rapid Transit

Historic Fleet Modernization Reaches Operational Milestone in the North East

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, Tyne and Wear — Public transport operator Nexus and Swiss train manufacturer Stadler have marked a defining milestone in North East England’s rail infrastructure as all 46 state-of-the-art Class 555 electric trainsets have completed assembly, delivery, and dynamic commissioning at the purpose-built £70 million Gosforth Depot. Representing the cornerstone of a transformative £362 million capital fleet investment, the five-car articulated trains are progressively replacing the network’s iconic original 'Metrocar' fleet, which has operated continuously across Tyne and Wear since the system's inauguration in 1980.

The systematic introduction of the modern fleet marks the most extensive technological and passenger upgrade in the history of the 48-mile light rail network, which links Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside, and South Tyneside.

Step-Free Accessibility and Sliding Step Technology

A transformative feature of the new Class 555 trains is the incorporation of automatic sliding step technology at every doorway. Upon arrival at any of the network’s 60 stations, the automated step extends outward to eliminate the gap between the train threshold and the platform edge, providing true, unassisted step-free level boarding for wheelchair users, passengers pushing baby strollers, and cyclists.

The interior architecture adopts an open-gangway walk-through layout with linear longitudinal seating, significantly increasing passenger circulation, elevating passenger capacity to up to 600 passengers per train, and providing four designated multi-use areas for wheelchairs, bicycles, and heavy luggage.

Advanced Onboard Battery Technology and Energy Recovery

Engineered for maximum reliability and future network expansions, each Class 555 unit features an innovative onboard traction battery energy storage system. In the event of an overhead wire electrical outage or catenary failure, the trains can operate autonomously on battery reserves to reach the nearest passenger station, eliminating passenger stranding inside tunnels or remote track sections.

The trains are also equipped with modern regenerative braking technology that recovers deceleration kinetic energy and feeds electricity back into the overhead power grid, reducing overall network electricity consumption by approximately 30% while reducing carbon emissions across the metropolitan region.

Passenger Comfort Upgrades and Regional Economic Connectivity

Passenger cabins are outfitted with modern creature comforts including climate-controlled air conditioning, USB mobile device charging ports at every seat, bright panoramic windows, high-definition digital passenger information displays, and enhanced high-resolution closed-circuit television (CCTV) security networks directly connected to the Nexus Control Centre. Regional transport leaders emphasized that the Class 555 rollout ensures the Tyne and Wear Metro delivers reliable, accessible, and sustainable mass transit that connects communities and fuels economic prosperity across the North East for the next three decades.