Delivery of final new Metro marks final phase of £362m project with 46 trains
Nexus has completed 90,000 individual tests across the new fleet, trained 480 employees and put the fleet through a total of 37,000 kilometres of on track testing runs.
All 46 new Metro trains have been officially handed over for customer service, marking the final phase of the £362m project.
Stadler, the Swiss train manufacturer, formally handed over the 46th and final new Class 555 Metro train to Nexus this month.
Nexus has completed 90,000 individual tests across the new fleet, trained 480 employees and put the fleet through a total of 37,000 kilometres of on track testing runs.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “I’m pleased to confirm that we now have all 46 new Tyne and Wear Metro trains formally handed over to us by Stadler. This marks the final phase of the biggest project in Metro’s history.
“We set a target for the end of this year to achieve this milestone, and we’ve managed to get there a bit sooner than that.
“My thanks go to everyone at Nexus and to the team at Stadler for all their hard work on the project. It’s been a brilliant effort by everyone involved. Many thousands of hours have gone into the testing process.“
Lucius Gerig, Executive Vice President Division Switzerland of Stadler, said: “I’m incredibly proud that we have delivered all 46 trains ahead of schedule, and grateful to everyone who made it possible. This achievement reflects the excellent collaboration between Nexus and Stadler. These fantastic trains will serve the people of Tyne and Wear for many years to come.”
Paul Patrick, Managing Director, Stadler Rail Service UK, said: “This is an important moment in a long-term project but the hard work doesn’t stop. Our partnership with Nexus continues for the long-term with Stadler colleagues at the Gosforth depot working around the clock to maintain, repair and prepare the new trains for service every day.”
Since the first unit entered customer service on December 18, 2024, a new train has been handed over to Nexus on average every 15 days.