100th anniversary of first motorbus service between North Shields and Blyth

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Go North East’s retro-liveried double-decker celebrates the 100th anniversary of local bus services. GNE

Go North East has marked the occasion with the repaint of a double-decker into heritage colours, reports Nick Larkin
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[/wlm_nonmember] [wlm_ismember] June marks the 100th anniversary of the very first motorbus service between North Shields and Blyth. The service was later extended to operate between Wallsend and Whitley Bay, then subsequently on to Newcastle, forming what now makes up Go North East’s Cobalt and Coast 309, 310 and 311 routes.

To mark the occasion the operator has painted a double-decker bus into retro Tynemouth colours, resembling the livery of the original company, which operated as a subsidiary of Northern General and is today’s Go North East.
As well as celebrating and promoting the centenary, Go North East said that the bus also promotes the congestion-busting and air quality benefits of buses, plus meets the latest standards in bus travel including WiFi and USB chargers on board, a far cry from the motorbuses of 1921.

Stephen King, Commercial Director at Go North East, said: “We’re proud to have been providing bus services across the region for over 100 years and are delighted to be celebrating this centenary of our services in North Tyneside. Our local team, based at our Percy Main depot, work day in, day out to providing modern and comfortable bus services that help connect communities, reduce congestion and improve air quality. This bus is also a celebration of their hard work.”

The bus will be used in daily service on the company’s routes across North Tyneside, and was also expected to make a special appearance at the Father’s Day Bus Gathering event at Howlands Park & Ride site in Durham, organised by the North East Bus Preservation Trust.

 

The bus carries branding explaining its relevance as well as logos from different eras of Tynemouth branding. GNE


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