Electric buses in Newcastle and Gateshead

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Bus operator, Go North East, has unveiled nine high-tech zero-emission buses as part of a £3.7million joint-funded project.

Voltra is being delivered in partnership with Go North East, Nexus and local councils following their joint success in achieving funding from the Government’s Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme which has helped support Go North East’s £2m investment.

This fund helps support some of the additional costs of electric vehicles over diesel equivalents and the charging infrastructure.

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.

Martin Gilbert, Managing Director at Go North East

The buses are powered by zero-emission clean sources such as solar, wind and hydro, and are housed in a new electric bus micro depot capable of accommodating 30 electric buses, paving the way for future investment.

These state-of-the-art, super environmentally friendly buses, branded ‘Voltra’, will run between Gateshead, Saltwell Park and Newcastle on Go North East services 53 and 54.

Key outcomes

The introduction of Voltra services will help to improve air quality in the region and supports the region’s commitment to carbon reduction across the board.

The electric buses have a striking new futuristic look and boast a whole host of onboard features to deliver a bus of the future experience, including high-quality interiors with luxury seating using sustainably produced materials.

Features include free Wi-Fi, wireless and USB charging, seatback phone holders that allow you to comfortably watch videos from your seat, next-stop audio-visual announcements, and ‘tap-on tap-off’ contactless bankcard ticketing, which is a first for the North East.

All you need to do when travelling on Voltra is simply tap your contactless card as you get on, and as you get off, then the system automatically calculates the fare and caps out at the day or weekly ticket prices if travelling multiple times, making sure you pay the best price – no more than £3 a day or £13 a week.

To find out more about Go North East, visit www.gonortheast.co.uk.

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