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The number of passengers using Newcastle-Gateshead’s distinctive yellow QuayLink buses has doubled since the service began, latest figures show. Average boardings have now reached just short of 13,000 people a week, a 100% increase on when the full service started after the 2005 Tall Ships’ Races. The investment in QuayLink was praised by a Government report this week as “an essential element in transforming Gateshead Quays” both in supporting cultural attractions such as Baltic and The Sage Gateshead, and the future focus on mixed developments. The latest passenger figures compiled by Nexus for project partners Gateshead Council and Newcastle City Council take in the period to October 28 2006. They show that the ultra-low emission buses carried 550,000 passengers in the last calendar year. QuayLink’s Q2 will be extended to the Ouseburn regeneration area in Newcastle during 2007. Q1 runs through major developments on the Gateshead Quays, between The Sage Gateshead and Baltic, and behind this the Baltic Business Quarter, where Gateshead College’s new campus is taking shape. Cllr Mick Henry, Leader of Gateshead Council says: “We were always convinced of the logic of launching the QuayLink service - and these figures show we were right to be so. “We expect demand for QuayLink to grow substantially in the years ahead. There are a number of major building developments getting underway in the Gateshead Quays area – the new Gateshead College campus, the Baltic Business Quarter, and later this year the GQ2 development - and we expect this area’s daytime population to increase by at least 10,000 people in the future. “QuayLink will be perfectly placed to meet what we expect will be a huge future demand for public transport. We predict busy days ahead for QuayLink.” Councillor Mike Cookson, Newcastle City Council's Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said "These latest figures are good news and confirm our continued confidence in the service. The scheme partners are dedicated to promoting and supporting the introduction of public transport links in developing areas." Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: “QuayLink is proving a popular choice for 13,000 people a week and continues to grow.” “Our partners and Nexus have put in place a modern, reliable and convenient bus route through fast-growing regeneration areas. It will grow with the communities it serves, giving businesses and residents sustainable transport on their doorstep, the day they move in. QuayLink was mentioned in the Atkins Report, published this week and reviewing the delivery of schemes funded through the Government’s Local Transport Plan. Notes to editors QuayLink’s project partners include Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council and Nexus. The service is operated by Stagecoach North East. Two QuayLink routes are operated: Q1 serves Central Station, Monument, The Sage Gateshead, BALTIC and Gateshead Interchange; Q2 serves Haymarket, Monument and travels along the Quayside to Ouseburn. Both services travel between Guildhall and Monument up Dean and Grey Street. Both the Q1 and Q2 routes run approximately every 10 minutes until 6.00pm and approximately every 20 minutes after 6.00pm until midnight. The service is free for holders of the new NGI Conference Travel Card for visiting conference delegates. As a local bus it is also free to pensioners and disabled passengers with concessionary travel passes. QuayLink buses are ultra-low emission hybrid diesel/electric vehicles, making journeys smooth and quiet, helping to reduce pollution. On-street bus priorities further speed the journey.
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