Metro Network to Get New Ticket Gates
A decade after the last installation, new ticket gates are finally returning to the Tyne and Wear Metro network—starting with Regent Centre in Gosforth. As part of a wider £2.1 million upgrade plan, Regent Centre will be the first Metro station to receive modern ticket barriers, with more locations to follow in the near future.
Work is already underway at the busy interchange, which serves over 1.3 million passengers annually. The gates are expected to be operational before the end of the year, with the full upgrade completed by the end of 2025. Nexus, the operator of the Metro system, has confirmed that the station will also be staffed by its customer service team to support the rollout.
The investment, announced by North East mayor Kim McGuinness earlier this year, is aimed at tackling fare evasion and making the Metro safer for everyone. “Everyone should feel safe when using public transport, but sadly I know that’s not always the case—especially for women and girls,” said McGuinness. “I promised to install ticket barriers and staff at more Metro stations, and now we’re delivering on that promise. Regent Centre is just the start.”
Currently, only 13 out of the Metro’s 60 stations have ticket barriers in place, including key hubs such as Monument, Haymarket, Gateshead, and the Airport. Chichester was the last station to receive gates, back in 2015. With this new investment, transport authorities are aiming to extend the benefits of improved security and fare control to more parts of the network.
However, it’s unlikely that all 60 stations will eventually be fitted with barriers. Nexus officials have previously acknowledged that a full network rollout isn’t feasible due to cost and infrastructure limitations. Instead, a feasibility study is now being carried out to determine which additional stations are best suited for gate installation.
A shortlist is expected this autumn, with final decisions to be made in coordination with the North East Combined Authority.
Paul Welford, major projects director at Nexus, explained the importance of expanding gatelines. “The new barriers at Regent Centre will help make this busy suburban station more secure and reduce fare evasion,” he said. “The study will look at safety, revenue protection, customer flow, and value for money to identify the best candidates for the next phase of installations.”
While only a minority of stations currently have ticket gates, those 13 locations account for a large portion of passenger traffic. It’s estimated that around 75% of Metro customers pass through a ticket gate at either the start or end of their journey, helping Nexus maintain oversight and reduce revenue loss.
McGuinness emphasized that this project is just one piece of a larger initiative to improve public transport across the region. “This multi-million-pound investment goes beyond just ticket barriers,” she said. “We’re also replacing outdated bus shelters, upgrading CCTV, and installing better lighting to make the entire transport experience safer and more welcoming.”
With new infrastructure and a renewed focus on passenger safety, the Metro is poised to become a more secure and efficient system—starting with a much-needed upgrade at Regent Centre.