Location : Swalwell Visitor Centre, Hexham Road
Date and time : Thursday, February 19, 11am
Photocall : Go North East’s MD, Peter Huntley and Commercial Director, Martin Harris, both dressed in walking gear, will be joined by two officers from Gateshead Council dressed in tennis and football kits to illustrate some of the outdoor activities available on the route of the bus operator’s latest branded bus service – the Kingfisher. One of the buses will also be at the Visitor Centre to show off its new design.
Dive into the outdoors with a trip on The Kingfisher
Go North East is introducing their new Kingfisher bus by showing off the range of activities within easy reach for local people who use the service.
Christened after one of the brightly coloured birds found at several locations along the route, the new design for the bus invites passengers to ‘dive into the outdoors’ and sample some of the many local outdoor opportunities on their doorstep.
The pale blue buses with their Kingfisher bird logo run every 30 minutes during weekday and weekend daytimes – service 69 running between Wardley, Blaydon and Winlaton and service 69A continuing on to Ryton, Chopwell and Blackhall Mill.
Some of the parks and outdoor areas along the route, including Saltwell Park, Watergate Forest Park, Chase Park and Derwent Walk Country Park, are promoted on colourful friezes inside the buses.
Go North East Commercial Director, Martin Harris said, “By introducing a new identity to the 69 and 69A services, we have been able to provide lively and attractive buses and also make more people aware of great opportunities for all sorts of outdoor activities brought within easy reach of this service.”
Councillor John McElroy, Gateshead’s Cabinet spokesman for Transport who will also be at the launch, said, “Gateshead can boast some of the finest countryside in Tyne and Wear, but we also have some of the lowest car ownership rates in the country, so many of the things we have to offer are probably being missed by people who would really appreciate them.
"By linking places such as Watergate Park, Derwenthaugh and the Derwent Walk, the Kingfisher puts our countryside within reach of everyone.
“Thanks to the Kingfisher, a picnic in the woods, an afternoon pond-dipping, or bird-watching on the River Derwent are all just a bus ride away – something which I'm sure will come as great news for parents during the long summer holidays!"
