METROFUTURES The combined future of Metro and local rail in the North East Foreword 2 Welcome to this brochure, which sets out the aims and objectives of the North East Combined Authority’s forthcoming Metro and Local Rail Strategy - as well as exploring how expansion of our region’s networks could be achieved. The Combined Authority’s vision for transport has been sent out in ‘Our Journey’, a 20-year transport manifesto for the North East. Here we provide a broader policy context for part of that vision: the business cases for a new Metro fleet and the next phase of essential network renewals. It is important that those two projects be seen alongside the larger possibilities to develop our railways they form a part of. This brochure has been developed by Nexus in consultation with local authorities within the Combined Authority. It provides a pre-cursor to the full Strategy, which will be considered by the North East Leadership Board in summer 2016. If you would like to provide feedback on the development of our Strategy up to now and the possibilities we suggest to extend the reach of local rail and Metro into more communities, please get in touch. You can find contact details on the back page. Tobyn Hughes Managing Director, Transport Operations North East Combined Authority Introduction 3 Our area’s identity was shaped by railways. Not economic benefits it is therefore time to transform This Metro Futures document addresses a number very long ago coal, iron and steel were transported our entire local rail network up to an equally high of these ambitions: a new Metro fleet; re-opening between mines, factories, shipyards and ports using standard. The area’s social and economic needs routes and stations; and managing Metro and local one of the densest networks of rail lines in the have changed enormously, but the need for fast, rail together as one network. world. The same railways transported workers to reliable, affordable and sustainable transport links In 2014 Nexus published a draft Metro Strategy jobs and knit previously disparate rural communities has never been greater. which considered how the system could develop to together to form a distinctive North East identity. We are working on an updated transport plan for meet the area’s future needs. We are currently Over the past four decades the local rail network in the North East, and we have recently published our updating the draft strategy to reflect the latest the North East has developed in two very different draft Manifesto. In it we set out the following thinking and opportunities, as well as to integrate ways. Much of the rail network in Tyne and Wear ambitions for Metro and local rail services: planning over the Combined Authority’s wider was converted into the Metro system and has geography, and we will shortly publish it alongside continued its role at the heart of the local economy, Replace outdated Pacer trains and deliver an a business case for a new Metro fleet and for transporting tens of thousands of people by rail to essential new fleet for the Tyne and Wear on-going investment in existing Metro infrastructure. work, education and other activities each day. Metro; We will broaden its scope to cover local rail services. The remainder of the local rail network has Create a regional express network, with high The draft Metro Strategy explored a number of soldiered on through decades of closures and quality, faster trains and more routes electrified; potential extensions to the Metro network, and we cutbacks, maintaining some connectivity but have been considering ways in which extending the characterised by poor quality rolling stock and low Open new local stations on current lines, network can best be achieved. frequencies. re-open key disused lines, consider more Park and Ride stations, upgrade freight-only sections The region contains a legacy of disused rail Through the area’s Strategic Economic Plan we aim to passenger use and build new routes; corridors, curves, junctions and spurs and some to reclaim our place as one of the most successful freight-only lines. Some of these could allow for economic and cultural centres within a resurgent Devolve greater control to the region, so local the expansion of the local passenger rail network, North. To do that we need to connect people to jobs rail and Metro can be managed together to linking to the Metro network in places, at a fraction and education, ease road congestion, and make deliver a higher standard for stations, of the cost of new-build railway or tram lines. the North East an easy and attractive place to do information and customer service; and In some cases Metro extensions identified in the business. Work with rail industry partners to address draft Metro Strategy could be delivered using this Transport for the North is working collectively to overcrowding and improve cycle access on approach. It also gives rise to new options, not transform rail connectivity across key northern trains. previously considered - including to parts of the economic centres. To maximise the North East area that are currently a long way from the existing Metro system. 4 The passenger trains that would run on this Continuation of Network Rail’s electrification traffic flows within the area. These services are expanded network will be influenced by a number provides an opportunity for diesel-only routes out of scope for this document. Also, in our wider of significant developments over coming years, in the area to be electrified, and conversion of plans we will take account of the need for freight which if combined could achieve a transformational the Sunderland-Pelaw section to the national movement. The precious few rail lines that exist in result: standard of 25kv AC. A new Metro fleet our area today are already congested with a mix of that could operate at different electrification freight and passenger services. Achieving economic The existing fleet of Metro trains is life-expired standards would be able to provide a wide success will create a greater need for movement and needs to be replaced. The new trains will range of local rail links sustainably and of goods by rail – to, from, through and within be designed to be flexible enough to travel on efficiently, with the same high service standard our region. As we plan to expand our local rail the local rail network as well as the dedicated throughout. system we will work with our partners to make sure Metro network, providing the opportunity to that the potential for improved rail freight can be serve new destinations using Metro trains. We intend to consider the Metro network, the local maximised. Nexus expects to replace the Metro train fleet rail network, and the passenger trains that operate in the early 2020s. As of 1 April 2016, the on both of them as a single local rail system when We will also work with our colleagues in the Tees Northern and TransPennine rail franchises that developing expansion plans for the future. The Valley Combined Authority, with whom we share provide local passenger rail services in our intention is to create a locally-managed network of many aspirations for improved rail services, to area will be managed in partnership by the DfT passenger services that is integrated and provides a ensure that each area’s plans enhance and and ‘Rail North’, a local authority organisation common high standard of service to passengers. complement the other. of which the NECA is a member. Through By growing the local passenger rail system to this arrangement we will develop an option to In the future, parts of the network’s infrastructure will be provided by Nexus through the provide faster and more sustainable links to take direct responsibility for the franchising of employment, training and other social and local rail services from 2025/6 onwards. This locally-owned Metro system, whereas other parts will be owned and managed by Network Rail. economic activity, we can help stimulate the would allow local rail and Metro services to economic growth needed to take the area forward. work alongside each other with a common Some local passenger services will be provided by set of passenger standards and ticketing Metro trains operated by Nexus, but others in future This brochure is a statement of intent, to inform arrangements. It could also potentially see may be provided by franchised heavy rail operators. key stakeholders in advance of a combined ‘Metro some routes transferred between Metro and However, all passenger services covered by this and Local Rail Strategy’ being produced during local rail or vice versa, or wholly new journey document will form part of a single North East rail summer 2016. Its aim is to set the context for the opportunities created. network. publication of business cases for Metro fleet It is important to note that local passenger rail replacement and essential renewals. connectivity is served in a number of different ways, for example by long-distance trains serving local The Metro network: 5 centrepiece of our local rail system With 60 stations, around 40 million passenger trips To guide us in this we propose three clear policy To help achieve these policy objectives we will need per year and trains running up to 19 hours a day, objectives: to: the Metro network has made a major contribution to the area since 1980. 1. To provide Metro and local rail services that a) Specify, procure and introduce a replacement are affordable for passengers, reliable, train fleet; Thanks to government funding under the ‘Metro accessible and comfortable with high levels of Reinvigoration’ programme to renew the existing customer satisfaction, within available b) Design new operating models and procure infrastructure, much of the network is being resources; suppliers; renewed so that it can continue as part of Tyne and Wear’s fabric.