A SEPTEMBER meeting of the North East Joint Transport Committee’sTyne &WearSub-Committee was told that the Class 555 programme for the Tyne &Wear Metro is running five months later than originally anticipated.
Introduction of the first of the 46 Stadler-built five-car units had been scheduled for the end of this year, but a report from Nexus interim managing director Cathy Massarella stated that although it was still the aim for the first run in public service to take place by the end of 2023 this was planned to be a“short demonstration run only with a more consistent customer service provided in early 2024”.
The target date for introduction of the whole fleet is October 31, 2025. Delivery of the first train at the end of February was two months later than scheduled and there have also been delays in the supply of parts to Stadler.The report confirmed that the pre-delivery acceptance process has been completed for Nos. 555001008. Nos. 555001 and 555002 remained in the Czech Republic as part of ongoing test track evaluation.
Nos. 555006-008 are due to be the next batch delivered to the UK. Nos. 555003-005 are already onTyneside for testing and familiarisation. September saw No. 555004, which is at the Nexus Learning Centre in South Shields, being used to trainTyne &Wear Fire & Rescue Service on the new fleet.
Currently based at the Nexus Learning Centre in South Shields for staff training, Tyne & Wear Class 555, No. 555004 is pictured during a familiarisation session for Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service on September 4.
NEXUS