Delivering More Than a Railway
We’ ve seen an incredible response from customers. Since launch, the line has recorded over 250,000 journeys— five times the original forecast— with customer satisfaction scores above 90 %, the highest in the region and well above the Northern average.
Almost 27,000 journeys were made during the busiest week( 23 – 30 March), when thousands of Newcastle United fans travelled to the city centre for the club’ s open-top bus parade.
Punctuality has also remained strong, with the route regularly achieving 95 % of services meeting the T-3 target. Customers frequently comment on how quick and convenient the new link is. Many are using rail for the first time, accessing new opportunities in employment, education, and leisure.
A standout innovation is our first-of-its-kind ticketing solution, allowing passengers to tap in on the Northern network and tap out on the Nexus Metro— and vice versa. The offer is simple, flexible, and value-focused, with single-leg pricing and capped day rates for Nexus Pop card users. We’ re encouraging customers to buy before they board, with station materials promoting digital ticketing via the Northern app and website. To support this, our TVM( ticket vending machine) at Ashington is being restocked at least twice a week.
A Project Years in the Making
The Northumberland Line has long been the subject of hope and political commitment, with communities across the region advocating for its return. Its revival is a testament to persistence, collaboration, and long-term planning.
The £ 298.5 million project brought together a multi-stakeholder partnership: the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Northern Trains, Northumberland County Council, and Nexus. Together, these organisations shared a common vision— to reconnect communities with better transport links and vital opportunities.
Passenger services officially resumed in December 2024, with newly built or refurbished stations at Ashington, Seaton Delaval, and Newsham now operational. Services connect directly to Newcastle, with peak fares capped at £ 3 for a single journey, making the line affordable and accessible. Introductory fares as low as £ 1 have also been offered, ensuring wide access for commuters, students, and residents alike.
The remaining stations— Bedlington, Blyth
Bebside, and Northumberland Park— are progressing well and are on track to open by the end of 2025. Once complete, the line will unlock even more potential for communities across southeast Northumberland.
Overcoming the Complexities
Reopening a disused freight line to modern passenger standards was no small feat. Upgrades were needed to tracks, signals, and crossings, as well as the construction of new platforms and station infrastructure.
We also faced the logistical challenge of opening a new Conductor depot at Ashington, creating direct local employment, and training over 100 Conductors and Drivers to ensure safe, reliable operations.
But this wasn’ t just an engineering project— it was about uniting stakeholders behind a shared vision and executing it with precision and dedication. One of the most satisfying aspects has been how well operations have performed. At Northern, we understood that reliability from day one was critical— and the results have exceeded expectations. The service is not only supporting daily commuters but is also attracting weekend travellers, tourists, and a wide range of new users.
A Rapid and Remarkable Uptake
Public enthusiasm for the service was immediate. On day one, over 3,500 passengers used the line. By the end of the first month, more than 50,000 journeys had been made— remarkable figures for a new service.
This surge reflects how deeply the service meets a longstanding regional need. Faster, more frequent, and more affordable links to Newcastle offer real advantages to commuters, students, and local residents.
Parents now have the option to drop children at the station instead of facing long, congested commutes. Young people can more easily reach education and training opportunities, and businesses in towns like Ashington and Blyth are already seeing increased footfall thanks to improved connectivity.
The Bigger Picture: Transforming the North’ s Connectivity
The Northumberland Line is more than just a local rail service— it’ s a national statement about the value of regional investment. It’ s a cornerstone of the UK’ s levelling-up agenda, providing economic
8 CIRO | Bulletin 55