October 2020
Go North East
"QuayLink" was conceived as a frequent, high quality bus service, for the newly developed and expanding Quayside area. Despite being located a short distance from the town centres of Newcastle and Gateshead, the area was poorly served by public transport. Now in its fifteenth year, albeit on a revised route compared to when it first launch, service Q3 is to be re-branded from "QuayLink" to "Quaycity", acknowledging the growing focus of the route changing from the Newcastle Quayside, to the City Centre itself, with an expanding hospitality sector in the city. As such, this vehicle has been temporarily withdrawn from service, allowing the repaint of this vehicle at Bus & Coach World, Blackburn, and seat re-trim/USB charging point fitment, at Saltmeadows Road's bodyshop facility.
June 2020
Go North East
From Monday 1 June 2020, in line with guidance from the government, Go North East's bus services will start returning to what can be considered a 'normal' level of service on weekdays (albeit still reduced on weekends), also with some minor changes which had originally been planned to take place from 17 May 2020. As such, this vehicle has now been reinstated at Riverside.
April 2020
Go North East
Following completion of all required vehicle re-allocations; this vehicle has been temporarily withdrawn from service due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been officially delicensed (SORN'd), enabling Go North East to obtain a tax refund.
March 2020
Go North East
In partnership with Gateshead Council; this vehicle has received exhaust modifications, increasing the Euro standard of this bus from Euro 5 to Euro 6.
November 2018
Go North East
Photograph by Snakebite90
Following completion of repaint; this vehicle has now received the purple variation of the "Quaylink" branding, for services Q1/Q2.
October 2018
Go North East
Photograph by Daniel Graham
Following the end of the Great Exhibition event, this vehicle has been repainted into a plain yellow base livery and is expected to receive "Quaylink" branding again.
June 2018
Go North East
Photograph by emdjt42
This vehicle has received a promotional livery to support the Great Exhibition of the North. The event, running between 22nd June and 9th September 2018, using NewcastleGateshead as its stage, is a summer of amazing exhibits, inspired technology, vibrant street performance, cutting-edge culture and magical experiences for all the family.
June 2018
Go North East
Following the repainting of similar 5390 (NL63 YAY) back in April, Go North East has decided to support the Great Exhibition of the North event by branding up two further vehicles. As such, this vehicle has now lost its "Quaylink" branding having been repainted into a plain pink base livery.
August 2016
Go North East
Photograph by Snakebite90
Following service changes last month, this vehicle has received the purple variation of Go North East's "Quaylink" branding for services Q1/Q2. Although the PVR of "Quaylink" services Q1/Q2 was not affected by the service revisions, this allows generically branded Optare Versa V1110/Optare 8335 (NK11 HJF) to be used as a spare across services Q1/Q2 and Q3.
July 2016
Go North East
Photograph by aptyldsley
Having previously carried "Citylink" branding, this vehicle has been repainted into a yellow base livery. There are a number of changes to Go North East's services in the Gateshead and surrounding areas, from 24th July 2016. "Citylink" service 58 will be revised to operate every 12 minutes between Heworth and Newcastle only. The Optare Versas surplus to requirements as a result of the PVR reduction will be deployed on the revised "Quaylink" Q3 service, which, following requests from stakeholders and passengers, will be extended from St Peter's Basin to Wallsend via Walker, offering a number of new travel opportunities.
February 2014
Go North East
Photograph by Daniel Graham
Following the closure of Gateshead and Winlaton depots, this vehicle has been transferred to the brand new Riverside Depot. Riverside Depot replaces the existing depots at Sunderland Road in Gateshead and Winlaton which date back to the days of the tramways.
November 2013
Go North East
Photograph by Daniel Graham
This vehicle has entered service at Gateshead Depot, on "Citylink" service 58, replacing the older articulated Mercedes Citaro vehicles previously allocated to the service. This bus also features free passenger Wi-Fi and Next Stop Announcements.
November 2013
Go North East
Ahead of its entry into service, this vehicle has received "Citylink" branding, with sub-branding for service 58 (Heworth - Newcastle - Hadrian Park).
November 2013
Go North East
This vehicle, which carries an orange base livery, has arrived into the Go North East fleet. It is currently being prepared for service at Saltmeadows Road Depot. It will be transferred to Gateshead in due course to be launched on service 58.
