Geograph - photograph every grid square

When the Tyne and Wear Metro was opened in 1980, it was in itself an innovative scheme - the first modern light rail in Britain. But it was also planned to be just a part of a completely integrated public transport system for the whole of Tyne and Wear, which would provide through ticketing and seamless travel all over the County. However, the Thatcher government's doctrinaire insistence on privatisation completely scuppered this aspect of the Metro, and buses began to compete with Metro for cross-river traffic instead of providing the necessary co-ordinating services at interchange points. Nevertheless, the Metro has remained very popular, and traffic has again been increasing in recent years.