Tyne and Wear Metro, Light rail system in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
The Tyne and Wear Metro is a light rail network in North East England that links five districts and serves around 60 stations. The line runs partly above ground, partly on raised viaducts, and partly underground, including a stretch beneath central Newcastle.
The Metro opened in January 1980, built partly along old railway corridors that were converted and upgraded for passenger service. The network grew in stages over the following years, with Sunderland joining the line in 2002.
The Metro connects cities like Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland with beaches, shopping streets and football grounds, all reachable without a car. On match days, the trains fill with fans travelling alongside everyday commuters, giving the journey a particular energy.
Trains run throughout the day with shorter waiting times during morning and evening rush hours. Stations are clearly signed and the network is straightforward to follow, as there are only a few lines to keep track of.
Newcastle Airport station was one of the first in the UK where a metro line ran directly to a scheduled domestic airport. Passengers can travel from the city centre to the terminal without changing trains.
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