New £12 million fleet of 'green' buses to be launched across North-East from September

A multi-million pounds investment in a fleet of environmentally friendly buses is to be made by bus company Go North East.
New upgraded,  environmentally friendly buses are on the wayNew upgraded,  environmentally friendly buses are on the way
New upgraded, environmentally friendly buses are on the way

The region’s largest bus company celebrated Clean Air Day with the announcement of a £12m spend on 54 high-specification ‘green’ buses.

This order from Go North East includes nine of the region’s first zero-emissions, full electric single-deck buses, joined by 34 of the latest low-emission Euro 6 engined double-deck buses, and 11 single-deck buses.

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The buses will filter in to service from September, with electric buses appearing from July next year.

The double-deckers will be part of the operator’s new ‘X-lines’ concept, for its fastest commuter and express services into cities including Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland.

Customers on the current Red Kite 45, 46 and 47 and Toon Link X30, X31, X70 and X71 service will see more seating and onboard facilities.

Passengers on Gateshead and Newcastle Green Arrow route 97 will use new upgraded single-deck buses, while the first electric buses will be for Saltwell Park to Gateshead and Newcastle routes 53 and 54.

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They will feature high-backed seating, tables, USB charging points, free Wi-Fi and next stop audio and visual passenger information.

They will also meet the latest, stringent emission standards.

Martijn Gilbert, Go North East’s managing director, said: “If we are serious about improving air quality, we have to embrace public transport and tackle rising congestion.”