MOREBUS is set to unveil a new fleet of buses later this month following a £7.2m investment in a bid to get more commuters ditching their cars in favour of bus travel.

The new fleet of 41 buses will serve on the m1 and m2 routes that operate between Bournemouth and Poole.

The bus operator is hoping the new buses will help cut congestion across the conurbation.

Andrew Wickham, Morebus managing director, said: ““We know just how important it is to make sustainable transport a more attractive proposition, in order to entice people out of their cars - and this investment is a huge step in that direction.

“Reducing congestion and helping to improve air quality is a responsibility we all share, and we’re delighted to report that each of these new 41 single decker buses carries a Euro 6 engine - cleaner than the latest generation of diesel cars.”

The Alexander Dennis E200 MMC vehicles will feature onboard technology, offering free Wi-Fi, USB charging points for smartphones and hand-held devices, as well as contactless ticketing facilities.

Mr Wickham said: “It is vital to make travelling by bus a comfortable and enjoyable experience, and that means the whole package.

“Our M1 and M2 services not only feature the very latest buses but they also provide regular journeys, 24 hours a day, between the two towns.

“Just one single decker bus has the capability to take up to 40 cars off the road, so it really is the perfect answer for reducing traffic and congestion here.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing these new vehicles out-and-about, and welcoming even more people on-board - whether they’re travelling with us for work or play.”

Morebus will launch the new buses at a special event in Bournemouth Square on Friday, February 23, from 10am.

Members of the public are invited to the launch and will be able to take a look at some of the new buses.

The news of the launch follows the announcement that Yellow Buses would be overhauling its services.

As reported by the Daily Echo yesterday, the company will be bringing back route numbers after replacing them with London Underground-style “lines” last January.

Other changes include the return of a direct Christchurch to Poole bus, but Ferndown and West Moors will be dropped from the network.

Yellow Buses said no one will be left without a service as a result of the changes, but some areas will only be covered by Morebus.

The new routes will come into effect on April 8.