Friday 27 November saw the introduction of nine new electric buses by Go North East for use on services between Gateshead and Newcastle
Go North East (GNE) has launched the region’s first fully-electric bus fleet. The operator flipped the switch on the nine high-tech zero-emission Yutong E10 single-deck buses, supplied and finished by Castleford-based Pelican Bus & Coach, on Friday 27 November as part of a £3.7million joint-funded project by GNE and the Government’s Ultra-Low Emission Bus Fund, following a bid that was also supported by Nexus and Gateshead Council.
Based within a new electric micro depot complete with Yutong charging units and Zenobe power management at the company’s Gateshead Riverside site, the buses are powered by zero-emission clean sources such as solar, wind and hydro-electricity.
The extension of the depot site is capable of accommodating up to 30 electric buses, to allow for future investment, whilst the buses are fitted with 422kWh water cooled batteries which are capable of a 370km range on a single 3.4 hour charge, says the manufacturer.
The buses are branded ‘Voltra’ in a Best Impressions-designed livery that GNE said is purposely designed to be very different to the ‘average bus,’ and will run between Gateshead, Saltwell Park and Newcastle on services 53 and 54.
As well as their striking new futuristic look, GNE said that they boast a whole host of onboard features to deliver a bus of the future experience, including high quality interiors with luxury seating from Esteban using a bespoke Camira Fabrics moquette paired with sustainably produced materials from its Vita range.
Other features include free WiFi, wireless and USB charging through Alfatronix seat back phone holders that allow passengers to watch videos from their seat, a Mobitec next-stop audio-visual announcement system from McKenna Brothers, and ‘tap-on tap-off’ contactless bankcard ticketing through Ticketer and Little Pay, which is a first for the North East and will form an initial two route trial of this new technology.
To complement the green messaging about the vehicles, they are also fitted with a world first pre-production use of Altro’s forthcoming ‘Metris’ range of digitally printed flooring to give a grass effect throughout the saloon.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at GNE, said: “This is the dawn of a new era for bus travel here in the North East as we launch what we believe are the very best local buses in the UK, and probably beyond, with a game-changing bus of the future experience for customers, not just with zero-emission buses but a range of pioneering technologies and customer features to revolutionise bus travel.
“This represents a major investment of £2million topped up by the Government’s Ultra-Low Emission Bus Fund, to help boost the recovery of our region ready for unlocking and demonstrates our commitment to improving air quality for our communities.
“Sustainability is key and our Voltra buses run on electricity sourced with green credentials, but Voltra is far more than just an electric bus fleet as we’ve looked at every detail, working with Pelican Yutong and other suppliers, to maximise the use of technology and innovation to provide a new standard in bus travel including customer comfort, information and ticketing.
“We hope that by introducing these fully-electric buses, which are very different to your average bus, we can help flip the switch on people’s behaviour too and see more people across our region leave the car behind to help reduce congestion on our roads and improve air quality for us all. Clean, affordable and sustainable next generation travel has arrived.”
Richard Crump, Managing Director of Pelican Bus & Coach, said: “Both Pelican and Yutong are delighted to have been able to work with the team at GNE to help develop their unique and innovative concept for 21st century bus travel in the North East. We are very proud that Yutong electric buses have been chosen for such an important service.”
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Bus UK added: “This project has taken three years of meticulous development, from the trial of the demonstrator to completion of the vehicles in the UK, and now the launch of the route. The exacting standards of GNE honed the vehicles’ specification, and we are absolutely delighted with the finished product. The vehicles will make a real, lasting improvement to the air quality in the North East and also set a new standard in passenger experience.”
