Tyne and Wear Metro bosses have explained why passengers have been forced to endure sweltering temperatures on some trains over recent weeks.
Some commuters have been left feeling uncomfortable after finding themselves on carriages with their heaters running at full blast, even on days when the weather has been mild. As with many of the Metro’s shortcomings of late, the root of the problem lies in the fact that its trains are more than 40 years old and run on obsolete technology.
Instead of being able to adjust their temperature settings by flicking a switch or turning down a thermostat, engineers must get underneath the carriage and make mechanical adjustments to put the heating system on its summer weather mode. So, if a train is sent out on a cool spring morning with its winter heat settings running then it must stay in that mode for the duration of its service that day, even if the weather warms up.
Read More: West End Foodbank reports busiest month in 10-year history amid city's 'staggering' need for help
Metro operator Nexus confirmed that, as of last week, more than half of its trains have now been put into summer mode. But, because of reliability problems that have plagued the network for months and meant trains have regularly been pulled from service, transport chiefs say they have had no choice but to keep sending out those carriages still running with the heating on its highest level – despite the discomfort that creates for passengers.
By contrast, the Metro’s incoming new fleet of trains that will arrive over the next couple of years will boast modern climate control systems that will allow the temperature to be adjusted at the touch of a button.
Stadler, which is responsible for the maintenance of the Metro trains and is building the £362m new fleet, said: “Because the existing Metro fleet is old and parts cannot always be easily replaced, sometimes the heating system does not work automatically and needs to be adjusted manually. This is done by engineers in an inspection pit at the depot. It's one of the challenges of working with a 43 year-old fleet coming to the end of its life.
“In the spring, Metro trains are checked one by one to ensure that the winter heat settings are turned off. However, not all of the trains that we need for service have had their heating systems altered yet and can feel too warm for some passengers. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
“Any customer who has found a train too hot or too cold should contact Nexus and provide the carriage number. They will pass on the details to us and we will adjust that particular train as quickly as possible.
“Stadler is in the process of delivering the brand new Class 555 Metro trains for Nexus, which will entirely replace the old ones. They will be more reliable, comfortable and technologically sophisticated. Each new carriage will have an advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, making it easier to regulate the on-board temperature throughout the year.”
The first few of the new trains have arrived in the North East and are now beginning to be tested on the tracks here, with hopes that they could start entering service by the end of this year. A Nexus spokesperson said: “We are really excited about the introduction of our new Metro train fleet, which is going to be transformative for customers and staff.
“The new trains will eradicate the issues that we sometimes see with the heating in the current fleet, which is 43 years old and almost at the end of its service life. The new Stadler trains have an advanced climate control system that will allow the ambient temperature to be more easily adjusted at the touch of a button.
“This advanced system will make it easier to regulate the on board temperature throughout the year, with the air conditioning providing a vastly improved customer experience.”
Read Next:
- Ukrainian refugees in Newcastle left homeless as council warns of 'horrifying' housing crisis
- New Northumbria police chief vows to 'get ahead' of violent crimes after spate of teen knife deaths
- Top cop pledges stronger police presence after figures reveal 100,000 unattended anti-social behaviour incidents
- Political rivals prepare for Newcastle election showdown as Labour leadership battle reignites
- 'It has been a lifesaver' – How a Newcastle foodbank has become vital for Geordie families
