THE new operator of three former Yellow Buses routes has launched services this week.

Yellow Coaches, which is now owned by Xelabus, started running the 18, 33 and 36 routes on Monday, August 15.

Xelabus’s green and cream livery vehicles are being used for the routes. The operator has said the yellow buses will return to the conubration under Yellow Coaches branding from next month.

A new coloured guide titled ‘On the move’ with Yellow Coaches is available on the buses and at the Travel Interchange in Bournemouth town centre.

The guide includes a voucher a free return bus ticket for anyone who is looking to use the services in the first week.

Bournemouth Echo:

The three routes are funded by BCP Council. The 18 serves Broadstone, Waterloo Estate, Canford Heath, Foxholes Estate, Sea View, Upper Parkstone, Westbourne and Bournemouth. The 33 serves Christchurch, Southbourne, Pokesdown, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Queen's Park, Boscombe, East Cliff and Bournemouth. The 36 serves Kinson, West Howe, Bournemouth University's Talbot Campus, Glenferness Avenue, Bournemouth, Bourne Valley, Talbot View Estate.

Yellow Coaches has taken on 20 former Yellow Buses drivers to help operate the services.

A Yellow Coaches spokesperson said: “Having been awarded the contracts from BCP Council we have moved very fast to ensure the three services will be in operation and passengers can rest assure that the timetables are unchanged but as well as the colourful guide passengers can access more detail online at www.yellowcoaches.co.uk”

From September, Yellow Coaches is introducing a new network of ‘school specials’ replacing the former Yellow Buses operation.

Parents seeking more information are advised to contact the operator on 02380 644715 for further information.