Go North East (GNE) has ordered 45 buses from Wrightbus and ADL.
The bulk of the order is for 31 double-deck StreetDecks from Wrightbus, with Micro-Hybrid 3 technology.
It also includes three double-deck Enviro400s and 11 single-deck Enviro200s from ADL – the first ADL vehicles in GNE’s fleet for 15 years.
All the buses will represent ‘major upgrades’ on the routes they serve, says the operator.
They will be used on GNE’s new ‘X-lines’ concept for fast, direct commuter services, with high-backed seating, modern ‘coffee shop-style’ interiors with tables, at-seat USB points, free wi-fi and next-stop audio/visual systems.
The ADL buses will also have ‘cable-free’ induction charging points for passengers’ devices.
All the ‘deckers will be used on services into Newcastle and Gateshead from the West Derwentside area, and the single-decks will be used for local services in and around Gateshead.
One of the StreetDecks will be the UK’s first with a six-cylinder Daimler OM 936 engine – previously all built with the four-cylinder OM 934. It will be rotated around all the company’s depots for trials on express services.
Martijn Gilbert, MD at GNE, says: “If we are serious about improving air quality then we have to properly embrace public transport and tackle congestion.
“These buses represent a major investment from us as we continue to play our part in supporting the mass mobility and connectivity of the communities we serve by providing high quality, dependable and green public transport services.”
Colin Barnes, GNE’s Engineering Director, says: “We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Wrightbus and we’re delighted to confirm this order with a stretching new specification and high expectations for these buses which will revolutionise the travelling experience.”
Mr Gilbert adds: “Alexander Dennis has worked with us to develop a class leading specification that will revolutionise local bus travel on our services.”
Gary Kernohan, Wrightbus’s Head of Sales, says: “Having the StreetDeck at the centre of the exciting plans in the North East yet again proves its worth as the decker of choice among the world’s leading operators.
“The introduction of the UK’s first 6-cylinder StreetDeck to Go North East adds an extra dimension to our offering.”
Richard Matthews, Retail Sales Director at Alexander Dennis, adds: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Go North East team to develop a state-of-the-art specification that customers will love, and which will set new standards for comfort, not least with our Alexander Dennis SmartSeat.”
