Nexus has announced that the Tyne and Wear Metro will operate a reduced timetable as a result of the Coronavirus continuing to spread.
All additional peak services between Pelaw and Monkseaton or South Gosforth have been cancelled.
Metro will operate a normal timetable on services between Airport and South Hylton, and South Shields and St James, throughout the day and evening.
The change is being made so that passengers can be certain when trains will run if Metro sees a reduction in staff available due to the spread of the virus.
The timetable change means that there is a train every 12 minutes to all stations on the Metro, and a train every 6 minutes through Newcastle and Gateshead.
In total, just over 50 of 450 Metro services each day will be cancelled until further notice.
The number of people using the Tyne & Wear Metro has fallen 4.5% since the start of March as Coronavirus continues to spread in the North East.
What did the officials say?
Huw Lewis, Customer Service Director at Nexus, said:
“We are withdrawing Metro's additional peak services so that passengers can be sure when trains will run, rather than face sudden cancelations should we see a reduction in available staff.
“Fewer people are using Metro now following public health advice, and the move by universities in the region to online teaching. There will be enough Metro trains to meet demand, although passengers may have to wait a few minutes longer.
“Metro has an essential role to play getting people to work, not least in the health sector, so this action is about making sure we provide a sustainable, convenient service people can plan around.
“Passengers can remain confident about travelling by Metro when they need to make a journey. We have taken on extra people and increased cleaning of trains and stations.”
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