Go North East

About Go North East

Go North East is the leading bus operator in the North of England. Its fleet of 660 buses and coaches provide local services in and around Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Northumberland, Durham, Teesside, Sunderland and the surrounding areas.

The company has a reputation of being a flexible and innovative partner – both with the private and public sector. Successful partnerships, each unique on many fronts, include Cobalt Business Park, MetroCentre shopping centre, The NPower Rainton Gate development, the high profile ‘Quaylink’ operation in Newcastle and Gateshead and the East Gateshead Quality Bus Partnership.

The company has the largest accessible bus fleet outside of London and has pioneered an Easy Access Wheelchair Guarantee which offers a complimentary taxi to disabled passengers if an accessible bus was not provided or the ramp was not working. It is leading the modernisation of ticketing in the North East with ‘the key’ smartcard project whilst working with Metro and other bus operators to deliver a fully integrated system. Other innovative fares marketing projects have included local ‘Low Flat Fare’ and market pricing of ‘Cheap Day Return’ travel along with an advanced e-commerce sales bureau.

Go North East is dedicated to engaging with local communities through its innovative, branded bus routes which not only engender community pride but increase passengers and market share. High profile brands such as ‘Red Arrows’, ‘Angel’ and ‘Red Kite’ offer new, higher quality travel experiences for an increasing number of customers whilst the ‘Tyne Tees Link’ provides new regional express links.

The company has also demonstrated its ability to provide cost effective localised transport solutions with the opening of three new ‘micro depots’ with dedicated staff and vehicles for local needs.

Key Facts

Managing Director Kevin Carr (Interim MD)
Nature of Business Deregulated
Geographical Area Tyne & Wear
County Durham
Northumberland
Teeside
Revenue+ £89.3 million
Approx Passenger Journeys* 72 million
Avg Number of Employees+ 2,032
Fleet Size** 672 buses

+ For the financial year ended 2 July 2011.
* Rounded to the nearest 1 million. For the year ended 2 July 2011.
** Data as at 2 July 2011.

Awards

2009 Red Kite bus service - Green Marketing Award (New Transit Green Transport Awards)
2008 Red Kite bus service - Marketing Campaign of the Year (UK Bus Awards)
2008 Winner in the Business category of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust's Conservation Awards
2007 Bus Operator Innovation of the Year (RouteONE Operator Excellence Awards)

Annual Report 2011

Contact Details

Go North East
117 Queen Street,
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 2UA
Tel: (0) 191 4205 050

www.simplygo.com

Corporate Responsibility Report 2011