Go North East (GNE) claims to be the first operator to have put a new registration 70 plate bus on the road on Tuesday (1 September).
It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 double-decker, and was driven by GNE Managing Director Martijn Gilbert on a public journey out of Jarrow bus station.
The new bus is part of a £4.5m investment in new buses concentrated across the operator’s activities across County Durham and Tyne and Wear. More low-emission buses are due over the coming months including what is believed to be the regions first latest zero-emission electric business which will be used between Gateshead and Newcastle.
Mr Gilbert says: “We’re proud to have pulled out all the stops working with the vehicle manufacturer ADL to get this brand-new bus into service at the very start of the new 70 plate registration date.
“As well as enhanced cleaning and routes returning to full levels, we are currently part way through a major upgrade of routes, including fare offers, which touch all parts of our network.
“These buses form an important part of that and offer high quality low-emission travel to help keep our town and cities connected, moving and improve air quality.”