Go North East has launched the first of 29 further battery-electric buses purchased via a £17 million joint investment by the operator, the North East Combined Authority, and the Department for Transport.
Of those, 25 are Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner double-decks that will be used on the Angel 21 route between Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Durham and Brandon, and route 58 between Newcastle and Heworth.
The other four are the first production Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV next-generation single-decks for route X66 between Gateshead and the Metrocentre. Those are due for delivery over the coming months. All 29 will be housed at Riverside depot in Gateshead.
To showcase the investment, on 21 January Go North East transformed the Utilita Arena in Newcastle to what it describes as “a concert venue with a difference” for a launch event. Guests included North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood.
Also among VIPs were children from Gibside School and Kells Lane Primary School. Those communities are among the first to be served by the new fleet. They were transported to and from the launch event by examples of the new StreetDeck Electroliners.
Ms McGuinness travelled with the schoolchildren to the launch. She notes how further battery-electrics for the region represent “real change” and that the Go North East buses will nearly double the number of such vehicles already in service in the area.
“They are part of a much bigger rollout that will see more electric buses introduced on more routes across the North East. I have been clear that it is my ambition to see diesel buses phased out within a decade, and today we have made a big step towards that,” adds Ms McGuinness.
Go North East Managing Director Nigel Featham notes how a high-profile debut reflects the significance of the new vehicles.
“If you are going to change the face of public transport in the North East, you should do it properly,” he says. “These buses will make a real difference to people’s everyday lives, so a showstopping launch felt exactly right.
“We are proud to be bringing quieter, zero-emission journeys to some of our busiest routes, improving air quality and giving passengers a more modern, comfortable experience. It was especially important to us that local schoolchildren were part of today – they are the generation who will benefit most from cleaner transport.”
