North East transport boss Nick Forbes has admitted the Tyne and Wear Metro “has simply not been good enough”, as customers flock to claim compensation against the service operator.
Mr Forbes has revealed that DB Regio’s contract to run the Metro ‘will not automatically’ be renewed in 2017.
DB Regio are facing a bill of almost £500,000 in penalty payments to commuters hit by recent delays and poor performance.
Mr Forbes, the North East Combined Authority transport lead, has revealed he will now act on the criticism of the Metro’s quality of service.
“The Metro is vital to life in the North East, and over the last few months, the performance of operator DB Regio has simply not been good enough.
“Nexus is set to levy more than £477,000 worth of penalty payments against DB this year on behalf of understandably disgruntled passengers, but that should only be one part of our attempts to resolve this,” he added.
DB Regio landed a seven-year contract to run the Metro on behalf of Nexus in 2010, with suggestions that would be extended by two more years.
A Nexus spokesman said: “The North East Combined Authority has expressed concerns about the performance of the Metro operator and will continue to hold them to account.
“We are preparing a report on future arrangements for the Metro operating concession, which will be considered by the NECA at the appropriate time.”