A brand new fleet of environmentally-friendly QuayLink buses started service on 10 August, alongside big improvements to the popular Newcastle-Gateshead city centre service.
Go North East, which has won a five year contract from the QuayLink partnership of Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council and Nexus, unveiled the distinctive new buses on Newcastle’s historic Quayside.
The striking bright yellow Optare Versa vehicles boast EEV Euro 5 engines, recognised as the cleanest conventional bus engine available in the UK.
The buses have extra seats to cater for growing passenger numbers, on-board information screens, ‘next stop’ audio announcements and real time information at stops, on the web and to mobile phones.
Passengers will also benefit from a simpler fare structure on the Quaylink, which carries almost 20,000 people a week, including new family and weekly tickets. Go North East passes and Metro season tickets are also valid on the buses.
Go North East Managing Director, Peter Huntley said: “We are looking forward to working closely with our public sector partners and private sector stakeholders in Newcastle-Gateshead to ensure that the way we run and promote this service adds significant value for the local economy.”
QuayLink was launched five years ago to serve growing business, tourist and residential areas either side of the Tyne in the heart of Newcastle-Gateshead.
The two QuayLink routes link major bus, Metro and rail stations with attractions like The Sage Gateshead, Baltic and Millennium Bridge – as well as hotels, restaurants, bars and residential areas.
The route has grown steadily, serving new locations such as Gateshead College, and was extended in 2008 to Newcastle’s Ouseburn regeneration area and St Peter’s Basin.
Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: “These new vehicles are an exciting step forward for QuayLink – maintaining its place as a flagship for high quality and environmentally-friendly bus travel in the region.
“After five years of rapid growth now is the right time to update QuayLink and with Go North East we look forward to improving the high standards it offers to passengers.”
Wendy Taylor, Newcastle City Council’s executive member for environment, sustainability and transport, said: “The enhanced environmental vehicles used by this service will be among the cleanest in the North East, demonstrating the partnership’s commitment to innovation in clean energy technology as we seek to address the challenges of climate change and build a sustainable low carbon future.”
Coun John McElroy, Gateshead’s Cabinet spokesman for Transport, says: “QuayLink has been an important demonstration in sustainable transport which has also played a valuable role in opening up Gateshead Quays to visitors and business investment.
“During its five years of operation, it has developed into a popular and well-used service and established the need for good transport links in this area. I am delighted that Go North East is to take over this important service and will be using the next generation of sustainable vehicles.”