New Metro trains targeted by vandals again
Vandals have targeted another of the new Metro trains as they made their way to Tyneside.Images shared on social media show graffiti daubed on to the side of one of the Swiss-built models, which the BBC understands happened in north London. It is not the first time the new trains have been targeted, with vandals also managing to deface one of the first to arrive in the country in 2023.Metro operator Nexus said vandalism was a "common problem" and the train would be cleaned before it was tested on the system.
The video was taken by Sophie, 16, from Hertfordshire, who said she was trainspotting with her dad when she saw the vandalised train. She told the BBC: "We were out specifically to see it, it's not everyday you get to see such an unusual train. "These units were quite obviously brand new, and it was quite irritating that they had already been vandalised."I was just surprised how quickly people will jump on a 'blank canvas' and ruin perfectly good units."
Paul Welford, major projects director at Nexus, said: "One of our new trains was vandalised with graffiti during its journey here from Switzerland at the end of last week."This was not on our infrastructure and happened during the delivery process and before we'd even taken ownership of the train."This kind of pointless vandalism is sadly a common problem these days and something we have to deal with proactively as any rail operator."He said the graffiti would be cleaned off before the train entered the network for testing.
A Network Rail spokesperson said it was working with the British Transport Police and appealed for information. "Incidents like this also cause delays as we need to repair damage and make sure the railway is safe," they said.The new £362m fleet of 46 Metro trains is expected to be in service by the end of next year, following a series of setbacks, and will eventually replace the current ageing models.
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