£3million investment into new, clean buses for express route between Easington Lane, Washington and Newcastle

Go North East, the region’s largest bus operator, has invested £3million into 13 new, clean, safe and super comfy buses for its express X1 service that runs between Easington Lane and Newcastle, serving Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring, Shiney Row, Washington Galleries, Wrekenton and Gateshead.

These brand new, state-of-the-art low emission buses will see the X1 route become part of the company’s premium X-lines brand of interurban express services across the North East, and will be instantly recognisable with their striking gold and red colour scheme.

Six of the new buses have already arrived, with more to follow for the route over the next few weeks and they come with all the latest mod-cons.

Features include free Wi-Fi, USB and wireless charging, luxury interiors, next-stop audio-visual announcements and tables on the upper-deck.

The company has also introduced some new and improved tickets, including a Go Local Saver option for Houghton-le-Spring.

The new ticket is available for just £3.60 a day or £15 a week and covers Bournmoor, Easington Lane, East Rainton, Fence Houses, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring and Newbottle.

If you are travelling further afield, weekly travel is available from just £20 a week with Go North East’s GoZones options.

Go North East’s managing director, Martijn Gilbert, said: “It’s great to see these buses start to enter service and this swiftly follows on from our £4.5million investment in the Consett area.

“A lot has changed since we ordered these buses, but we hope this major investment in brand new, low-emission, luxury buses will help transform bus travel and support the region’s recovery from lockdown in a congestion busting and low carbon way.

“Our X-lines network of express inter-urban bus services provide the ideal way for commuters to travel in a high quality and productive environment, as well as for shoppers and other leisure travellers to get to the region’s city centres and attractions affordably, sustainably and in luxury.”

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