Press releases

• Arriva to make unprecedented investment in new buses for Durham
• 27 new buses and 27 refurbished buses to start service in one day
• Durham bus users 'impressed' following trial of new bus

A renewed bus fleet introduced by Arriva is set to change to face of public transport in the city. Some 27 new and 27 refurbished buses will start service - and all in one day.

The state-of-the-art new vehicles will feature car-like levels of comfort including seating with headrests, tinted windows and a distinctive new 'look and feel' giving an improved ambience and a better travelling experience.

The investment of around £3 million will mean that Arriva's full Durham fleet will be low floor easy access – well before the target, set by Government, of 2017. And all the new buses will feature CCTV.

Arriva has already trialled an unbranded new vehicle in Durham, to test reaction from customers. 'Feedback received by drivers was terrific',

said Arriva North East managing director Steve Noble.

They liked the accessibility, comfort and smoothness of the ride. And that's what our investment is about, improving our customers' journey experience and encouraging more people to try the bus.

By introducing so many new vehicles into service at one time, in one place, we will change the face of public transport in Durham overnight.

Arriva has plans to improve services in July to coincide with the arrival of the new buses.

This will build on the success of our network improvements last year and help us to encourage more people to take the bus

said Steve Noble.

Working in partnership with Durham County Council, further benefits to bus users will include the provision of information at bus stops and the introduction of real time information at stops across the county. Improvements will be made to the central bus station, which will be ready for the introduction of the new buses.

Chris Tunstall, deputy chief executive (Environment and Change Management) at Durham County Council, said:

This is great news for public transport users and demonstrates the commitment of Arriva in working in partnership for the provision of a first class bus service in County Durham.

Steve Noble said:

We have chosen Durham to receive this investment as we believe the area is ripe for bus passenger growth and the new vehicles will complement our comprehensive, easy to understand network.

Our investment here reinforces our commitment to providing people with real transport options and represents a step change for the future of public transport in Durham.

Arriva is also investigating route branding on buses to help promote specific services in Durham. And, to ensure that the new fleet is well maintained, Arriva is investing in improvements to the engineering facilities at its Durham garage.

Notes to Editors

• The new vehicles will be introduced in July 2005. Further details of the launch event will follow.
• Arriva plc is one of the largest transport services organisations in Europe, providing more than one billion passenger journeys every year.
• Arriva is one of the UK's largest bus operators, with over 6,000 vehicles serving customers in the North East, North West and South East of England, Yorkshire, the Midlands, Scotland and Wales.