Mayor unveils next wave of electric buses

An expanded fleet of zero-emission buses is set to arrive across the North East as regional leaders push ahead with plans to transform public transport and cut carbon emissions.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness has announced the arrival of 28 new electric buses for Arriva services operating from Blyth, which will begin running from April on routes 43, 44 and 45 serving communities including Cramlington, Morpeth, Stannington and Dinnington.

The announcement forms part of a wider ambition to ensure every bus in the North East is zero emission within the next decade.

A further £3.6 million in Government funding has also been secured to introduce 18 additional electric buses, which will operate in Wallsend, North Shields and Whitley Bay.

Fourteen of the new vehicles will serve the Blyth-based routes, while another 14 buses will be deployed in County Durham on the 48, 64 and X46 services.

Mayor McGuinness said: “Local people will be stepping on to safer, cleaner and all new electric buses in Morpeth and Cramlington in just a few weeks’ time as part of our plans to make every bus in the region zero emission within a decade.

“We’ve already brought almost 100 new zero emission buses to the North East, and today we’ve secured £3.6 million more from Government to bring another 18 buses to the busiest routes between Whitley Bay, Blyth, North Shields, Wallsend and Newcastle. 

“In 2025 alone, nearly 2 million passenger journeys took place on these services.

“Local people in the North East deserve nothing less than world-class public transport and today is another step in delivering that.”

Richard Hoare, managing director for Arriva North, added: “We’re really proud to be introducing a total of 28 new zero-emission buses in the North East. 

“There’ll be 14 of those buses on services X46, 48 and 64 in Durham and 14 buses on services 43, 44 and 45 in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. 

“This means our customers will benefit from cleaner, quieter and more comfortable journeys on those modern double-deckers.

“This investment is an important step in our pledge to run a more sustainable fleet and it supports the North East’s plans to reduce emissions and improve local air quality.

“We’re always keen to be working in partnership with the North East Combined Authority to help deliver the region’s ambitions for a fully decarbonised bus network, while improving the experience for our customers and supporting better air quality for local communities.”

The expansion follows Go North East’s recent introduction of 29 electric buses, already operating on route 21 between Chester-le-Street, Gateshead and Newcastle, and route 58 in Gateshead, with additional vehicles planned for the X66 service linking Gateshead and the Metrocentre.

Once the latest buses enter service, the region’s zero-emission fleet will reach 131 vehicles, marking a significant step in the transition towards cleaner, greener public transport.

Ben Gilligan, managing director of Go North East, added: “Earlier this year, we introduced 29 new electric buses to our fleet, delivering smoother and more accessible journeys to our passengers in Newcastle, Gateshead and County Durham.

“Nearly two million journeys are made each year on our 307 and 309 services, electrifying these routes with 18 new electric vehicles will bring quieter streets, cleaner air and better journeys for communities we serve in Newcastle, North Tyneside and South Northumberland.”

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