Electric buses unveiled at Arena event
BBCA new fleet of 29 electric buses has been unveiled amid promises of cleaner and quieter streets.
Go North East said three of its busiest routes, Angel 21, X66 and 58, which serve places including Durham and Gateshead, will be fully electric following £17m of government-backed investment.
The UK-built vehicles, which were shown off at Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Wednesday, can travel 275 miles (443km) on a single charge and power-up fully in under four hours, the bus firm said.
The company's fleet is now about 10% electric, with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness reiterating her aim to have the "whole region converted to electric buses within the next 10 years".
The buses will enter service over the coming weeks on the Angel 21 between Newcastle and Durham, the X66 linking Gateshead and the Metrocentre, and service 58 connecting Newcastle, Heworth and the Amazon site at Follingsby.
Go North EastReplacing their diesel counterparts, the new fleet includes audio-visual next stop announcements, hearing loops and external sounders to alert pedestrians.
The fleet was jointly funded by Go North East, the North East Combined Authority and the Department for Transport.
Additional reporting by James Robinson, Local Democracy Reporting Service
