METRO light rail services could be extended beyond the Tyne and Wear boundary into County Durham.
A vision of potential future development for the Metro network includes a suggested extension from Sunderland to Seaham, running on the route of existing rail lines.
Others ideas suggested include a link to the Doxford International business park, on the outskirts of Sunderland, and a connection from Gateshead to Washington.
The proposals are featured in a report drawn up by consultants for consideration by members of the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (PTA).
Many people on Wearside believed the Metro extension to Sunderland and South Hylton would prove a forerunner to an eventual link to Washington.
Authority chairman Danny Marshall said a link to Washington from Gateshead, rather than Sunderland, would probably prove "more financially viable".
A link from Gateshead to Washington could include stops at Team Valley and Wrekenton, while a Doxford Park connection could go on to Ryhope, on the southern outskirts of Sunderland.
The suggested connection to Seaham would run on a section of the existing Durham coast line, south of Sunderland.
All the suggestions in the report, code-named Project Orpheus, will be examined by the PTA on December 19.
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