New Metro train fleet 'being returned to service'
BBCTyne and Wear Metro's new fleet of trains is being returned to service nine days after a problem with the doors saw them taken out of action.
One train has since been put back into use, with hopes of another to follow on Thursday and the others over the next couple of weeks, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.
Metro operator Nexus confirmed the problem had now been resolved after an image showed one of the new Swiss-built trains pulled into a station with doors open facing directly onto the tracks.
This led to all five active Stadler trains, out of a total 46 which are due to be rolled out by the end of next year, being withdrawn from passenger service.
Nexus managing director Cathy Massarella said: "I am pleased to confirm the new fleet has started to be re-introduced back into service from today, Wednesday 30 April."
"I know this temporary pause was disappointing, but we don't expect this to have any impact on the overall roll-out timescales."
The new fleet's withdrawal came as a major disappointment for passengers, just a few months after the long-awaited arrival of the highly anticipated trains.
The first of the new fleet made its maiden journey last December, with a series of delays meaning the original target date of summer 2023 was missed.
It is hoped that all 46 of the new trains will be in use by the end of 2026, with half due by the end of this year.