Tyne and Wear Metro fare rise delayed by mayor
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has said the performance of the Tyne and Wear Metro needs to improve after almost two months of significant disruption.Passengers have experienced a massive impact on services since the Gateshead flyover was closed due to structural problems on 15 December.The mayor has decided to postpone annual price increases, usually rolled out in April, until July due to the issues.Operator Nexus said holding back the changes "recognises the exceptional disruption caused to customers at the end of 2024".
From July, the cost of a single journey paper Metro ticket will go up from £2.80 to £3.00 for one zone, from £3.80 to £4.00 for two zones, and from £4.50 to £4.70 for three zones, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.McGuinness acknowledged issues were "in large part" caused by the closure of Gateshead flyover and the impact that had on the tunnels below.The flyover was closed for 10 days affecting journeys across the whole network.She said: "Metro performance needs to improve. I've been very clear with Nexus about that but know passengers have not seen that improvement happening."With this in mind it would not be the right thing to increase fares in April as has happened in previous years."People should not be paying more when they have had less."Director of finance and resources at Nexus John Fenwick said fares needed to increase "in order to help us address the challenges of higher operational costs".Mr Fenwick said costs would increase by 5.1% heading into 2025/26, adding: "Metro is a public service and doesn't make a profit so we require Government support, alongside the revenue that we generate from fares, to keep the system running."
Both Nexus and McGuinness pointed to savings available to people who switch to the Pop Pay As You Go option.The new fare proposals will go before North East Combined Authority's cabinet meeting for approval on Tuesday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
We own three homes — but saving for our £360,000 Somerset three-bed was hard
Welcome back to What I Own – Metro's property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder. This week, we're in Weston-super-Mare meeting married couple Joe and Robert, who picked up the keys to their £360,000 three-bedroom home in August 2024. After living in a two-bedroom flat close by, the pair moved for more space — but their new home has also come with the added benefit of being energy efficient. While the typical energy bill for a three to four-bedroom home averages out at £154.10 per month, Joe and Robert currently pay around £107, which is a £47.10 saving. With a unique interior design style that's inspired by Joe's time working in Las Vegas, as well as their love for Lady Gaga, their personalities certainly shine through. Their home features the vinyl cover of every single album the popstar has ever released. Did someone say Abracadabra? And yes, there's a disco ball. Here's what Joe had to say about their property journey… You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. I'm Joe, and I'm 44 years old. I was originally born in Derby but relocated to Weston-super-Mare for work. I work as a lecturer in performing arts. My husband, Robert, is 32 and was born in Manchester, but also moved here to work as an advanced nurse practitioner. Our home is based on a Keepmoat development called Winterstoke Gate, located in Locking Parklands, Weston-super-Mare. Robert and I love the area as it is quiet and peaceful, close to a range of amenities such as our work, shops, and there's nightlife too. We're also close to the motorway which is really handy, but far enough away to avoid the traffic. We moved into our home in August 2024. Our property cost £360,000. We put down a deposit of £35,000. As our home is fitted with energy-saving technology, we've found our energy bills have reduced dramatically. We have our air source heat pump, which is a type of low-carbon central heating. It takes warmth from the air outside to supply our home's heating and hot water. It means that even when we go away, we can leave it on, rather than turning it on and off, which actually costs more. We also have EV charging points and solar panels. Our monthly energy bills cost an average of £107, and our mortgage costs £1,750. Prior to owning this property, we lived in a two-bedroom flat in Weston-super-Mare, which we also owned and are now renting out. We also have two other properties, which we remortgaged, one also in Weston-super-Mare and the other in Derby, my hometown. I also used to own a condo in America, which I sold when I moved back to the UK. Winterstoke Gate is now the third home we own together. We worked hard to save up for the deposit while living in our old flat. We found the process of getting a mortgage straightforward, and it's something we have dealt with before. One of our friends is a mortgage advisor, so they helped us find the best rates and advised us on remortgaging our other properties on interest only. Keepmoat also recommended someone who supported us through the process. Overall, we found it to be smooth sailing, which we are very pleased about. Our mortgage is currently on a five-year, fixed-rate term. Robert and I have preferred buying a home rather than renting because we view it as an investment in our future. We were keen to buy a home, rather than another flat, because we've previously felt restricted due to fees such as maintenance, which are not a concern when owning a house. Moving into a new build has been a long-awaited dream for both of us, and the whole process has been smooth and seamless. We're absolutely delighted with our new home. Since we first got on the property ladder, we've always aimed for a sustainable forever home, as we always try to do our bit for the environment. Energy efficiency wasn't essential for us, but a bonus. The savings we've already seen on energy costs have been amazing, and the added space to host our family has been an incredible bonus. June might mark Pride Month, but the reality is that LGBTQ+ people still face issues accessing housing. Research from Stonewall shows that almost one in five LGBTQ+ people have experienced homelessness; these statistics increase to 25% of all trans people. The majority of these cases are caused by direct rejection from families over their LGBTQ+ identity, too, as 77% of people surveyed by akt said that 'family rejection, abuse or being asked to leave home' was the cause of their homelessness. Shortly before becoming homeless, more than 50% had their family members force them to stop expressing their LGBTQ+ identity, figures which rise to 64% for trans people and 55% for disabled people. The University of Stirling also finds that LGBTQ+ people have poorer housing outcomes than their straight and cis counterparts, too. Gay, lesbian and bisexual people specifically are less likely to own their own homes, while throughout the 1980s and 1990s, there were instances of gay and bisexual men having their mortgage applications refused because of the stigma tied to the HIV/AIDS crisis. We're huge fans of colour and emulating the luxury feel we have experienced in hotels. With our interior, we wanted to create a classy, luxurious feel, with a splash of colour. Robert and I spent our honeymoon in Las Vegas, and I also used to perform there, so it's a really special place for us. We have incorporated elements of this into our home to remind us of our trips. In our flat, we had blue as the main colour, so in our current home, we opted for sage green for the primary palette. We wanted to ensure it was subtle, so we used the colour on a feature wall and then incorporated accents such as vases and frames, which tie it all together and carry the scheme through our home. It would have to be the kitchen! It really is the heart of our home as we host here, we have a bar set up, it's vibrant and colourful, but also very personal. Robert and I are huge Lady Gaga fans, so we have her vinyl records on show beside neon lights, which really brightens the room. We also love the garden as this is something we never had when living in a flat. It's been enjoyable to be able to decorate and experiment with planting and style. We've transformed it into a fun and functional space. Definitely. Living in a flat compared to a house is very different. We have more space for friends and family to stay, which was key for us. We also have a garden, garage and dedicated parking, which is something we didn't have before and has really benefited us. Not right now, but never say never! We liked that Keepmoat let us pick our preferred choices for a lot of furnishings in our home, for example, the flooring. We have an air source heat pump, solar panels, EV charger, and energy efficient appliances such as an integrated cooker and washing machine, which are great features. We have spent a lot of time and money putting our own personal touch on the interior, and we're really pleased with how our home looks, so we don't have plans to change it anytime in the near future. Aside from a couple of small tweaks in the garden, which are being sorted, it's been a really smooth process, and the property was finished to an excellent standard. Energy-efficient homes can lead to significant savings on energy bills, particularly if, like us, you learn as much as you can about the tech and make the most of the features and systems. For us, those savings were immediate. Although the initial cost of purchasing an energy-efficient home is slightly higher, it's worth it due to the benefits and cost savings which you can experience very quickly. View More » For the moment, we are happy where we are and don't have any plans to leave. We've invested time and money into our property, and we're proud to live here. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Major high street chain announces £25,000,000 revamp with at least 30 new stores MORE: This is how much more single people pay to live alone in London MORE: Millions could be paying off debt well into retirement amid 'pension postcode lottery'
Metro
13 hours ago
- Metro
Online spells and WitchTok - welcome to the world of modern day witches
When Emma Carney gets up, she welcomes the dawn by lighting a candle and pulling a Tarot card from her much-loved deck. She makes an 'intention' for the day, and reflects on how she will achieve her goals. Then, the 37-year-old owner of a digital marketing agency will make herself a coffee and decide what she wants from her day. 'If I am trying to manifest money in abundance I will burn a bit of cinnamon and stir my coffee with it,' she explains. Throughout her work day, Emma will make time to light incense, cast spells and perform ceremonies. 'Everything's just got to have a little magic added to it,' she says with a smile. 'It's just how I live my life.' A successful businesswoman, Emma is also a witch. Her daily rituals and ceremonies help her to fulfil her potential and bring joy and meaning to her world, she says. She's not alone. From WitchTok (8.5million posts) to online Tarot subscriptions, witchcraft is big business, and Emma is just one of an ever-growing number in the UK who pair normal, professional lives with making potions, casting spells and meeting in covens. It was 71-year-old Cassandra Latham-Jones who became the UK's first official witch in 2022, when she was permitted to use the term 'village witch' on her tax return. That same year, former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued a posthumous apology to the thousands of people persecuted as witches in Scotland under the Witchcraft Act of 1563. With apps for moon work, Tarot and Astrology and subscription boxes where gems, oils and spell kits magically arrive by post, it's clear that the occult is more than adept at moving with the times. 'Witchcraft is basically owning your own power and comprehending how you can control the world around you based on understanding who you are and what you want,' explains Emma. 'A lot of people, when they hear about it, get confused by the language of magic and spells. 'But really, what it actually is, is just a way of taking your power and utilising your mind to achieve the things you want by performing certain actions. So this can be relatable in meditation and manifestation. 'Magic has now gone online and everybody's a lot more open talking about witchcraft.' Emma says she has been a witch since she was born. In 2020 she set up a digital coven with her friend Ashleigh-Jayne O'Connell, who describes it as an online 'witchy space' where people can hang out and share ideas. Ashleigh-Jayne lives in a flat in East Finchley crammed with herbs, crystals, books, candles and incense. The social media manager has been a witch since she was 15. She tells Metro: 'Witchcraft to me is bringing an element of balance. We all have crazy, busy jobs and crazy, busy lives. It gives me something to focus on for myself and to make myself grow as a better person. And also do as little harm to the world around me as possible. 'My neighbours know me as the girl who does the litter pick down the street, but also the one who will be sat in the front garden on a full moon burning stuff,' she adds. 'I've got my tiny little cauldron. And I burn things with corresponding herbs to complement that energy.' 'John' is also a witch, but is using a pseudonym as he is still in the broom cupboard. The 54-year-old from Exeter works in IT, but doesn't want his employers to know about his involvement in witchcraft and he hasn't revealed his passion to all of his family yet. Except his wife – who is also a witch. John explains that he got involved in the movement as a means to find balance in a busy life. 'I was absorbed into it last year,' he says. 'It just kind of happened after I went to a couple of sabbaths and esbats – witch gatherings – with my wife. I have aspirations of getting to know more about herbs from a medicinal point of view.' John adds that he is also 'attracted to the lore, the history and the mythology.' 'It is different and interesting,' he explains. 'I have issues with the control exercised by a lot of major religions. In witchcraft, certainly in our coven, there is no control. It is far more open and less judgemental.' Psychotherapist Cali White has trained in shamanic healing, trauma work, and ancestral healing. She is a witch, but admits to being reticent about using the term as it has been so misunderstood across the years. 'For many people, it's a word that continues to evoke fear, driven by centuries of cultural and religious conditioning of a witch being someone in league with the devil and doer of evil and black magic,' she tells Metro. 'However, this understanding is changing and witches are seen as people deeply connected to nature and natural approaches to healing with herbs and through positive intentions.' Cali says witchcraft offers people an important connection, which is important given the division and conflict we are all currently facing. 'Our modern lifestyles and growing dependence on technology disconnects us from the natural world which is vital for our health and wellbeing,' she explains. 'At a time in our history when there is so much destruction and imbalance in the world, the growing witchcraft revival offers us a pathway to more peacefulness in our lives.' Cali works with a group called the Silver Spoons Collective, an artistic sisterhood which aims to heal the intergenerational trauma caused from the burning times – when women were persecuted as witches, hanged and set alight between 1450 and 1750. 'Witchcraft is an ancient art, taken away from our ancestors by the spread of monotheistic religions. So we are having to relearn it,' she explains. 'Online platforms are great environments for this and increasing numbers of modern day witches are generously sharing their own experiences and teaching others.' One of these is Julie Aspinall, a self-confessed 'crone' – an experienced witch – who runs a large security company on the outskirts of Coventry. According to Julie, the lockdown five years ago was behind the surge in people joining covens, as the break in their hectic lives invited them to question their identity. 'A lot of people discovered that actually, we're all witches. We can all manifest what we want from the universe, if we just believe we can.' She now runs a coven on Facebook, with 2,500 members from around the world. More Trending 'There are hundreds of online witch groups on Tiktok and X, but on mine we have crones from all round the country; people who have been witches for years and years,' she explains. 'We'll put spells up, we'll post information about goddesses and gods and different aspects of witchcraft. 'And it is somewhere that is a safe place,' Julie adds. 'It means their neighbour and their friends don't know they're on there. It's a closed group. There used to be a stigma around witchcraft. There certainly was when I started 40 years ago. You would never have dared tell people back then. You'd think the men in white coats would come and take you away.' Not so anymore, says Emma, adding, 'a witch was originally just a wise person. It's become so popular. 'People are so much more receptive to it today. I love the fact that it has finally entered the mainstream.' Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Six real witches share how they're spending Halloween MORE: Britain's first official witch claims expenses on spells and potions MORE: Nicola Sturgeon apologises to 'witches' on International Women's Day Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Free travel for over-60s costs taxpayers £100,000,000 more than fare dodgers
Freebie travel benefits for pensioners are costing the taxpayer three times as much as London Underground fare dodgers do. More than 1.5million Londoners aged 60 and over can travel for free on London's buses, Tubes, trains and trams. But the schemes – the 60+ Oyster Card and the Freedom Pass – cost nearly £500million a year to fund, well over the £400million lost to fare-jumping nationwide, the Office of Rail and Road found. Transport for London (TfL) is predicted to spend £135million on the 60+ Oyster Card this year, up from £60million in 2016. As Britain faces an ageing population, the cost is expected to increase to £185million a year by 2027, according to an analysis by The Telegraph. The Freedom Pass for people over 66 costs London boroughs another £350million a year and will rise to £498million by the end of the decade. Almost one in 20 Tube passengers dodge fares, costing TfL £130million a year. The 60+ Oyster Card is available for Londoners aged between 60 and 65, among the highest earners in the capital, at £42,000 a year, double that of people in their 20s. TfL says 60% of 60+ Oyster Card holders are still working, with two in 10 using it to commute. The card, introduced by then-Mayor of London Boris Johnson in 2012, is funded by tax bills and daily driving fees like the congestion charge. Speaking to Metro, Liz Emerson, chief executive of the research charity International Foundation said: 'This is a disservice to younger colleagues who are paying more for their travel than those who still work and are over 60. 'It impacts their essential spending power and helps instead those who are older and wealthy. 'This is unfair for younger colleagues who already struggle with housing costs, wages and the cost-of-living crisis. More Trending 'The least the Mayor can do is align free London travel with the state pension age. A TfL spokesperson told Metro: 'Both the Mayor and TfL are committed to making public transport in London as accessible, convenient, and affordable as possible. View More » 'We regularly review our range of concessions to ensure that they continue to benefit Londoners, while also remaining affordable for TfL to operate.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Samurai sword killer 'screamed in delight' after nearly decapitating schoolboy MORE: British couple feared to have been on Air India flight named and pictured MORE: Three teenage girls admit killing 75-year-old man in the street Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
