QuayLink

Infobox Bus transit
name =

logo_size = 191

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company_slogan =
parent = Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
founded = 2005
headquarters =
locale = Tyne and Wear
service_area = Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead
service_type = bus service
alliance =
routes = 2
destinations =
stops =
hubs =
stations =
lounge =
fleet = 10
ridership =
fuel_type = Hybrid electric bus
operator = Stagecoach North East
ceo =
website =

QuayLink is a hybrid bus service in Tyne and Wear, England.

QuayLink, as the name suggests, links the Quayside areas of the River Tyne with the centres of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead and to the other local public transport bus, metro and rail modes. The service provides transport for local residents and for the users of the various tourist attractions of the Quayside, and for night time users of the many Quayside bars and restaurants.

The service is operated using 10 accessible buses with a distinctive appearance, enhanced by a unique lime green livery. Their hybrid electric drive produces a near silent and smooth ride.

The QuayLink service was introduced as a high quality public transport service for the recently redeveloped and expanding Quayside area, which, although extremely close to Newcastle and Gateshead town centres, were either not served, or not well served, by conventional bus transport, and dominated by car usage [ [http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/qts_faqs Newcastle Council] QuayLink FAQ] . The Quayside roads are also not located on any of the traditional bus routes.

Stagecoach North East operates the service under contract for Newcastle and Gateshead Councils and the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (NEXUS).

History

In June 2002, Newcastle and Gateshead councils and Nexus invited tenders for operation of a proposed Tyne Quayside Link, and for manufacture of 8 alternatively fueled buses for a Quayside Transit System. The total project, scheduled for launch in 2004, would cost £5m, with £3m coming from the local transport plan, £1m from regeneration funds for Gateshead, and £1m from the Quayside developers [http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/busenthusiastguides/page1.phtml Community Gate.co.uk] ] . As well as new buses, the project involved the construction of a bus lane and improvements to some bus stops, making them fully accessible.

The QuayLink buses were unveiled initially as a week long free shuttle service from Newcastle and Gateshead to the riverside for the 2005 Tall Ships Race from 22 July 2005 [http://www.stagecoachbus.com/newcastle/serviceinfo_1054.html Stagecoachbus.com] FREE QuayLink buses during Tall Ships' Races, 13 July 2005] . Prior to launch, all ten buses were pictured on the Quayside with local dignitaries and partner representatives. The QuayLink routes commenced fare paying operations on Friday 29 July 2005 [ [http://www.stagecoachbus.com/newcastle/News2_1107.html Stagecoachbus.com] QuayLink service hits the streets, 29 July 2005] .

Initially the service was criticised for its final £8m set-up cost and low initial ridership of 11,000 passengers a week [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/4801114.stm BBC News] Backing for electric bus service, 13 March 2006, retrieved 11 April 2008] , but ridership increased, and by 31 May 2007 the Quaylink services had carried 1 million people [ [http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Nexus/News/News+archive/2007/Nexus+news+-+QuayLink+passenger+is+one+in+a+million. Nexus news archive] QuayLink passenger is one in a million., 31 May 2007, retrieved 11 April 2008]

Following development of the Ouseburn valley, on 3 September 2007 the Q2 service was extended to the St Peter's Basin area to the east [ [http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Nexus/News/News+archive/2007/Nexus+news+-+QuayLink+heads+for+Ouseburn+and+St+Peter%27s. Nexus news archive] QuayLink heads for Ouseburn and St Peter's., 3 September 2007, retrieved 11 April 2008]

Routes

QuayLink operates as two routes, Q1 and Q2. Both routes share a common north/south section in Newcastle city centre, from the Theatre Royal at the north end, down Grey Street to the Newcastle bank of the Tyne at the Guildhall. At the Theatre Royal end, Q1 continues to Central Station, Q2 continues to Haymarket. At the Tyne end, Q2 proceeds along the Newcastle Quayside, with a long one way section meaning outbound buses proceed through the nearby inland streets, and returning buses travel along the Quayside front. Q1 proceeds over the Tyne on the Swing Bridge, and along the Gateshead Quayside, before turning south to Gateshead.

Q1

* Central Station
* Grainger Street
** Theatre Royal
** Grey Street
** Dean Street
** Newcastle Guildhall
* Over the Swing Bridge
* The Sage (north side)
* The Baltic Centre
* The Sage (south side)
* Gateshead High Street
* Gateshead Interchange

Q2

* Haymarket Bus Station
* Newcastle Civic Centre
* John Dobson Street
* Laing Art Gallery
** Theatre Royal
** Grey Street
** Dean Street
** Newcastle Guildhall
* Quayside (road)
* Law Courts
* Ouseburn (eastbound via Byker Bank and Walker Road, westbound via Quayside)
* St. Peters Basin

Vehicles

The vehicles used on the QuayLink services are ultra low emission hybrid gas-turbine/electric vehicles, with a markedly quiet ride. They carry 30 passengers seated, and in peak times, a further 20 standees. The vehicles are Designline Olymbuses, from New Zealand. An initial vehicle was imported by Stagecoach. It arrived by sea in October 2004 and toured the country in their house colours on proving trials until April 2005. The bus fleet was added, to a total of 10 vehicles, which are operated from the Walkergate depot. The vehicles were substantially modified for operation in the UK, notably using a leaf door design over the plug design [ [http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/busenthusiastguides/page4.phtml Communitygate.co.uk] ] .

While the QuayLink buses are double doored, the middle door is only provided for wheelchair access.

References

ee also

List of bus operators of the United Kingdom

External links

* [http://www.freefoto.com/browse/2030-25-0?ffid=2030-25-0 Photos of QuayLink at Freefoto.com]
* [http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/qtsintroduction?opendocument Newcastle Council] QuayLink page
* [http://www.stagecoachbus.com/newcastle/Quaylink.html Stagecoachbus.com] QuayLink page
* [http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Nexus/Press+office/Image+bank/Image+bank+-+QuayLink Nexus] QuayLink press images
* [http://www.stagecoachbus.com/uploads/QuaylinkSep07map.jpgStagecoachbus.com] QuayLink Route map September 2007
* [http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/resources/file/ebe2300a3ab3ca2/QuayLink%20Timetable%20Sept07%20web.pdf Nexus] QuayLink map and leaflet, September 2007