The Northumberland Line has welcomed over 50,000 journeys in its first month, showing strong demand and excitement from passengers across the region
Newcastle: The Northumberland Line has been a hit! In just its first month, over 50,000 journeys were made. That’s pretty impressive, right?
The line opened on December 15, and folks were excited. Rail fans came from all over the North East for the first ride. It was a chilly Sunday morning, but that didn’t stop Ashington residents from lining up to catch the first train in sixty years.
On the opening day alone, more than 3,500 tickets were sold. The first week saw around 16,000 journeys. Saturdays have been especially busy!
Northumberland County Council is thrilled with these numbers. They match what they expected. They plan to analyze the data more closely in 2025 when the service is more established.
Paul Henry, the programme manager, shared his excitement. He said it’s been fantastic to see so many passengers after years of planning. The line is already making a difference in the area.
New stations are being built in Newsham, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, and Northumberland Park. They hope to open these by 2025, with Newsham possibly ready by the end of February.
Glen Sanderson, the council leader, called this a great milestone. He noted how much people needed this line, which they’ve worked hard to bring to life.
It’s been wonderful to see the service buzzing during the festive season. Many are using it for work or school. More stations will surely boost passenger numbers even more!
