A stretch of the Metro track could be closed for hours as 500 metres of overhead lines came down on Monday morning.
Just after 9am trains were halted between Benton and Tynemouth stations after the wires came down near West Monkseaton, North Tyneside.
Engineers have arrived on the site and have started repairs, but Tyne and Wear Metro passengers have warned this could take hours.
Several bus replacement services have been arranged to take passengers between Four Lane Ends and North Shields during the disruption.
Tickets were also being accepted on Go North East and Arriva routes earlier on Monday morning.
Metro services are still running between Tynemouth and St James, and in all other areas of the system aside from Benton – Tynemouth.
There is no estimated time yet for the service to return to normal.
A Nexus spokesman said: “We’re sorry for the disruption to services this morning between Benton and Tynemouth.
“There is a problem with the overhead line and we need to make a detailed assessment of the this so that we can action repairs.
“Go North East and Arriva are accepting Metro tickets in the affected area and a replacement bus service is being sourced.”
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