Two bidders have been shortlisted to operate trains and stations on the Tyne and Wear Metro for Nexus which owns all trains on the network

Germany's DB Regio and an in-house team from Nexus will be invited to revise their tenders for the contract which will start next year (April 2010.)

The successful bidder will manage and maintain services trains and stations on the network, which is currently used by about 40 million people each year, for seven to nine years.

Nexus will continue to own all trains, set fares and co-ordinate improvements to the Metro's 60 stations.

Ken Mackay, director of rail and infrastructure at Nexus, said: "Both bidders could offer a very high standard of public service in both price and quality. We will now seek to find the 'best of the best' by asking each to further revise and confirm their proposals. These bidders stand out for their strong understanding of the Metro Operations business, commitment to improve customer service, and impressive plans to upgrade the Metrocar train fleet while maintaining high standards of punctuality and reliability on our behalf."