A fleet of 29 cutting-edge electric buses will take to the streets early next year as part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ ambitions to get rid of all diesel buses within a decade, it was revealed today.
Go North East has announced that the flagship ‘Angel’ 21 route will go electric between Chester-le-Street and Newcastle, alongside the busy X66 Metrocentre to Gateshead express service and the 58 linking Newcastle, Heworth and the giant Amazon distribution centre at Follingsby.
Together the three routes account for almost 100,000 journeys each week.
The new buses promise zero emissions, a smoother ride for customers, and improved accessibility for wheelchair users as they enter service in the new year following driver familiarisation.
Mayor Kim said: “I want to build a world-class public transport network for the North East and converting the whole region to electric buses is part of that journey. The arrival of 29 new electric vehicles on three of the region’s busiest bus routes is the latest step forward in delivering that vision, and means a smoother, cleaner ride for passengers and cleaner air for people in Gateshead, Newcastle and Chester-le-Street. Zero emission buses are already running in Sunderland and South Tyneside, and more will follow across the region including in Durham, Northumberland and North Tyneside.”
Nigel Featham, Managing Director of Go North East, added: “We’re proud to be working with Mayor Kim to roll out zero-emission buses on some of our most popular routes. These vehicles will make our communities cleaner, our streets quieter and our customers’ journeys even better.”
The new fleet includes a range of accessibility upgrades, including audio-visual next-stop announcements, hearing loops and external noise emitters ensuring a safer, more inclusive journey for all.
There are currently 38 zero-emission buses operating in the North East - 18 under Go North East’s Voltra and Quaycity brands, and 20 operated by Stagecoach in Sunderland. The arrival of 29 new vehicles for Go North East will almost double that number. By March 2026, the total is set to reach 113 electric buses, representing around 10% of the region’s fleet.
Last month, Mayor Kim signed an agreement with technology giant Hitachi to share best practice on technical innovation, including learning from Hitachi’s global experience in converting bus fleets to electric operation.
Nine further bus routes are in line to be converted to electric in 2026, including the 30, 31 and 36 Stagecoach routes in west Newcastle, the 43, 44 and 45 Arriva routes which run through Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland, and the X46, 48 and 64 Arriva routes in and around Durham and Crook.