Get on board Go North East’s buses for a better than ever journey to help bust congestion and improve air quality as non-essential retail reopens with the move into Tier 3

Get on board Go North East’s buses for a better than ever journey to help bust congestion and improve air quality as non-essential retail reopens with the move into Tier 3 from the current lockdown.

The region’s largest bus company has been busy investing in a major upgrade of services this year, including its X-lines ‘intercity’ express network which connects major towns across the region with fast, direct buses.

Just last week, Go North East introduced the region’s first zero-emission fully-electric buses, branded ‘Voltra’, on its 53 and 54 routes between Gateshead, Saltwell Park and Newcastle.

There have also been upgrades to a number of other services, including bigger and better buses for routes like the Crusader 26 and 27, as well as a major improvements to its website and smartphone app.

Go North East has introduced the latest real-time travel tools, including a dynamic prediction engine to help customers plan their journeys around quieter times for social distancing purposes.

The company has additionally made improvements to ticket options, with flexible ticketing now available for those who are splitting their time between home and their place of work.

Go North East’s managing director, Martijn Gilbert, said: “There has never been a better and more important time to get on board the local bus network.

“Our buses are now even better on board, with better technology, ticket options and major investment in a large number of the buses themselves.

“Most importantly though is the congestion busting, environmental and health benefits of using public transport. We cannot afford for car traffic to keep increasing as it will cause gridlock and serious pollution issues.

“Buses take up far less road space than the equivalent number of cars, even for just a few passengers, and similar emit a far smaller carbon footprint per passenger journey. People using the bus are generally more active than people who drive too.

“We are committed to delivering the best possible service during these challenging times and that’s why we’re putting even greater effort into extra cleaning, safer travel social distancing measures and ensuring that our customers can easily access the right tickets and information.”

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