Operation Hermes, a team of Nexus, Northumbria Police, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and British Transport Police, which was launched earlier this year along the Metro network, will continue through 2021.

Originally launched in August 2020, Nexus introduced this scheme in order for users to feel ‘safe and comfortable’ when using the Metro systems.

Named after the Greek God of travel, Operation Hermes was an initiative established to encourage use of face-coverings, and deal with anti-social behaviour and fare-evasion.

In a ‘Traveller Sentiment Survey‘ conducted by Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm of the World Economic Forum, it was found that 40% of train users feel uncomfortable on transport since the outbreak of covid-19.

A Nexus Spokesperson told JesmondLocal: “Nine out of 10 people using Metro wear face coverings as required by law, with others being exempt for health reasons, but we know that a small minority still refuse to comply with the legal requirements. This is often linked to other anti-social behaviour such as ticketless travel or groups of young people hanging around stations with little purpose.

“Overall crime rates on Metro remain low and customers should have the confidence to travel when they need to,” the spokesperson added. “Anyone who gets caught committing crime on Metro faces prosecution, fines, and even a possible ban from travelling on the system.”

Working in conjuction with Nexus, Northumbria Police are also set to conduct the high visibilty patrols alongside the frontline staff.

Chief Inspector, Ron Charlton said: “As our cities and towns continue to recover from the impact of Coronavirus, we want to do all we can to support businesses and vital services. We hope this operation will further help get our area moving again.”

Paula Sykes, 49, a NHS worker and regular Metro commuter, told JesmondLocal: “The most important thing is the mask monitoring. If Nexus and the police can ensure people wear their masks, not only can that make us safer in a confined travel space, but it can also ensure that Covid doesn’t spike again.”

“This scheme is just a win-win situation,” Sykes added.

JesmondLocal also spoke to a yoga instructor from Newcastle, 54, on her opinion on the scheme. “I think it will make very little difference. People know they need to wear masks and pay fares and those who don’t, never will.”

“There are too many staff on one carriage, too…I feel it is all one almighty mess,” the commuter, who asked not to be named, added.

Read more about Operation Hermes here.