Do you know the eight busiest Tyne and Wear Metro stations?

Written by on 30th March 2023

In light of the somewhat fresh news that the Tyne and Wear Metro will extend it’s services into Washington with the introduction of three new stations, we have investigated which current metro stations are the busiest, regarding their passenger traffic in recent years.

From Airport to South Hylton, the Tyne and Wear metro consists of 60 stations, covering 78km of track, undoubtedly contributing to the supreme transport links in the North East of England.

Everybody in the region will have journeyed on the Tyne and Wear Metro, however could you name the busiest stations in the network?

8: Heworth (1.01 million passengers\year)

Heworth station consists of two platforms and joined the Tyne and Wear metro system on November 15, 1981.

Not only does Heworth offer rail transportation, it also has seven bus stands above the train station, hence why the passenger traffic will be so high, as people can connect to other destinations through the buses that stop at the station.

@tom.on.the.tracks (instagram)

7: Pelaw (1.09 million passengers/year)

Unsurprisingly, Pelaw makes the top eight, unquestionably due to the stations’ connectivity to South Shields. This is significant for passengers from Sunderland, as Pelaw is the closest station in proximity to Sunderland that allows you to connect to the other metro line.

Pelaw station, similar to Heworth, also has two platforms and joined the Tyne and Wear Metro on September 15, 1985.

@class91joe (instagram)

6: West Jesmond (1.11 million passengers/year)

 The high number of passengers at West Jesmond station is no surprise, with Jesmond containing one of the highest student housing numbers in Newcastle.

Subsequently, students will use this metro station to commute to university in their masses on a daily basis.

West Jesmond station has been on the metro line for 23 years, and was one of the first stations introduced on the network.

@tbhtobyho (instagram)

5: South Gosforth (1.6 million passengers/year)

South Gosforth is next on the list, renamed from Gosforth station in 1905 to what we know it as today.

This station houses the Metro control centre, and it is responsible for operating the networks signalling and electrical supply, hence showing it’s importance.

The Metro control centre is also where communication is made between drivers and staff over a two way radio.

@srwpatterson (instagram)

4: Gateshead (1.81 million passengers/year)

Gateshead metro station, underneath Gateshead interchange, is a major transportation hub of the North East of England.

The train station’s two platforms is supported with 14 bus stops, connecting Gateshead to places even as far as Middlesbrough.

The station opened in 1981 and is the first station you will arrive at after leaving Newcastle.

@stu_barber16 (instagram)

3: Central (2.71 million passengers/year)

 Newcastle central metro station takes the number three spot, standing directly underground one of the busiest train stations in the country.

It joined the metro network in 1981 and has two platforms.

The metro station is heavily important as is gives the public easy access to the railway station, with platforms only an escalator away.

@wreynalds (instagram)

2: Haymarket (3.22 million passengers/year)

Haymarket is the deepest metro station on the Tyne and Wear metro network and was recently rebuilt, hence its modernised look.

It is one of the oldest metro stations, joining the network in 1980.

Princess Anne opened the newly refurbished metro station in 2010, after a £5m reconstruction to the passenger area of the station.

@lang_shot_photography (instagram)

1: Monument (5.25 million passengers/year)

Monument metro station is located in the heart of Newcastle city centre, only a short walk from the cities busiest street, Northumberland street.

The station also has a direct exit to Fenwick’s and therefore Eldon Square, reinforcing reasons for such high passenger traffic.

There are four platforms at Monument, and the station has been opened for 22 years. It is named after Grey’s monument, which stands directly above the station.

@davidwillgibson (instagram)

 

 


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