JANUARY 29 saw the first light rail vehicles reach South Hylton as test running began on Tyne & Wear Metro's 20 km Sunderland Direct extension (RG 7.01 p474). Revenue services are due to start on March 31, and this will be followed by an official opening by HM Queen Elizabeth II on May 7, as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations.

In a move designed to reassure passengers and assist revenue protection, the Passenger Transport Authority Nexus has agreed that all evening trains on the extension will have conductors in a year-long trial. This follows a similar scheme with conductors on the North Tyneside lines, due for completion and evaluation in mid-year.