INTERIOR images of the new double-deck buses to be introduced on the guided bus way next year have been revealed.

The designs have been created following feedback from more than 1,000 people who had their say in Tyldesley, Atherton, Leigh and Salford.

First Manchester will be introducing 20 of the double-deck accessible buses which will have interior and exterior CCTV cameras, free Wi-Fi, USB charging points and “next stop” audio and visual announcements.

For the first time in the fleet of over 650 buses, upstairs customers will also have table areas.

Colour contrast was highlighted in the feedback from residents and colour variations between the aisle, the floor under the seating, hand-poles and the seat unit, has been designed with visually impaired customers in mind.

The new frequent buses will operate on the 14-mile route linking communities in Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley and Salford to Manchester city centre and through to the universities, Central Manchester Hospital site and businesses along Oxford Road.

The buses will also run on the 4.5 mile guided section linking Leigh and Ellenbrook.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “I am delighted residents who may be future bus passengers can see we are moving ever closer to services starting on the busway. We promised a fast, frequent, premium service as a result of our investment in the bus priority package and we are delivering on that commitment with First.”

When fully completed, regular services will run from both Leigh and Atherton six days a week – with a less frequent service on Sundays.

There will also be three free to use park and ride sites to serve the busway providing over 400 spaces in Leigh, in Astley Street in Tyldesley, and on the A580 East Lancashire Road near to the M60/61 junction.

The first vehicles are expected to be delivered in January for full guideway and route testing.

Ian Humphreys, Head of Commercial for First Manchester said: “The Busway will bring faster and more reliable links for customers and we’re very excited to be part of such an important, premium service in Greater Manchester."