Plea for more grab rails on new Metro trains
BBCA Metro passenger with mobility issues has called for more grab rails to be fitted on to the network's new trains.
Paula Mitchinson, from Sunderland, said she worried about falling over when travelling on the new Tyne and Wear Metro trains because there were not enough poles to hold on the way to a seat.
The new Metro fleet has London Tube-style linear seating, designed to be more spacious.
Operator Nexus said carriage layout had been independently verified to relevant safety regulations and standards and passengers' experiences were monitored to see if changes are needed. Manufacturer Stadler said its trains were built according to customer specifications.
Mitchinson, who has thinning bones and has to use a cane and take regular breaks when walking, said she was "upset" over the carriages' layout.
"I know it's quite difficult but I think this should have been thought about well before these trains came into use," the 60-year-old said.
"It's fine if you're able-bodied, it's fine if you're in a wheelchair, but if you've just got a walking stick it's not as easy.
"Anything that anybody can do to improve it I would be very grateful for."
Mitchinson moved near to Stadium of Light station in 2002 so she was close to a Metro stop and now uses the train up to three times a week.
She said she was shocked when she first got on the new carriages and avoided travelling on them for a while after that.
"As soon as I got on it I'm thinking where are the handles, where are the grab holes, so I can actually hold on to it to get to sit down, and there was nothing there.
"I had to really be very careful how I walked to sit down because I wasn't sure that I would be able to get to the seat and sit down in time before I fell over."
She said she was "very wary" of travelling on the new Metro trains during busy times when seats near a door might not be available.
Nexus major projects director Paul Welford said the fleet's final design had been shaped following a "huge public consultation" with more than 23,000 responses.
"We have members of the Nexus team out on the trains frequently to see how customers are interacting with all aspects and will take this on board to see if any future enhancements are required beyond compliance with the relevant regulations," he added.
Welford said tens of thousands of passengers had travelled on the new fleet and feedback had been "closely monitored".
"We will continue to do so and address any arising issues of significance as customers become more accustomed to the layout of our new trains."
