No Metro price hikes until Sunderland has a decent service, say Lib Dems

Commenting on plans for increases in Tyne and Wear Metro fares of up to 13%, which will be voted on by councillors on the North East Joint Transport Committee next week, Lib Dem councillor for Grindon and Thorney Close in Sunderland Stephen O'Brien said:

"For transport bosses to inflict huge price hikes on Metro users who have had to put up with such a shoddy service in Sunderland beggars belief. For the past year you just haven't been able to rely on the Metro to get you anywhere on time - and for the past few months most of Sunderland has had no service at all. It is inconceivable that the same thing would be allowed to happen on Tyneside.

"To add insult to injury, the biggest hikes are targeted at those who still use paper tickets - penalising older or vulnerable people who can't or don't want to use a Pop card, mobile phone app or mobile payments.

"Ruling Labour councillors on the North East Joint Transport Committee should be playing hell with Nexus and refusing these fare hikes until they can guarantee a decent Metro service for Sunderland."