Arriva launches StreetLites in the North East . . .

To launch Arriva North East’s eight new micro-hybrid Wrightbus StreetLites for its 306 service, a giant piece of sand art was commissioned on Tynemouth beach. The new buses feature free wi-fi, E-leather seating and a new livery indicating their green credentials. The micro-hybrid technology captures the energy generated from the braking system and redistributes it to power hydraulic and electrical systems that would otherwise require power from the engine. The beach art was created by company Sand in your Eye and took four hours to complete.

Area MD for Arriva North East, Nick Knox, said, ‘We are very excited to be introducing this technology onto the 306 as part of our commitment to providing a sustainable bus network for the North East. We realise the importance of continually making bus travel better for our customers and in 2014 alone we will have invested over £11m in buses for the region. As a company we are always looking into new technologies and concepts in order to enhance the journey experience. These buses really are fantastic, not only are they environmentally friendly, reducing fuel consumption by up to 10%, but they also provide a smooth and comfortable ride for our customers with free wi-fi, a new livery and services running up to every 15 minutes.’

. . . Kent Thameside . . .

Arriva’s £2m fleet of 11 new Wrightbus StreetLites have entered service in Kent Thameside, introducing the operator’s premium Sapphire brand to the area. They will be used on Arriva Southern Counties’ 480 and 490 routes between Valley Drive, Gravesend, Northfleet, Swanscombe, Greenhithe, Bluewater and Dartford. As well as a new livery, the buses will have free onboard wi-fi, E-leather seating and audio-visual announcements. They run every ten minutes between Valley Drive and Greenhithe, with alternate journeys running to and from Bluewater or Stone and Dartford.

. . . and Southend

Arriva Southern Counties has invested £300,000 in two 11.5m micro-hybrid Wrightbus StreetLites for its service ‘One’ between Shoeburyness, Southend, Hadleigh and Rayleigh. They are the first Arriva buses in Southend to include free onboard wi-fi. They also have E-leather seating and brighter interior lighting than their predecessors.