A HAMPSHIRE bus operator has invested £3m in 17 new high-tech vehicles which it says will persuade more car users to switch to public transport.

Passengers travelling on the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) link between Fareham and Gosport are now riding aboard brand-new, state-of-the-art vehicles.

The purple Eclipe buses run by First Solent, which came into service at the weekend, are all fitted with free wi-fi, USB charging points and the latest environmentally-friendly engine technology.

During a launch ceremony, held at Fareham Shopping Centre, First Solent’s managing director, Marc Reddy, said: “The success of our Eclipse Service, since launching in 2012 has been overwhelming.

“I’m delighted that we are rewarding more than 6,500 customers that use the service every day with a brand-new fleet of vehicles.

"The buses look and feel fantastic and will deliver a first-class travel experience for our customers”.

Mr Reddy added: “Twenty per cent of customers that use Eclipse are former car users.

"The investment in even better vehicles and an even better travelling experience will convert more car users.

Cllr Rob Humby, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “The new buses are an outcome of our continuing and effective day-to-day relationship with the bus operator, First Solent, which has created a public transport service that provides a real and attractive to the private car and so helps ease congestion and improve accessibility on the peninsula.”

First Solent’s have now invested £6 million in the BRT since it began in 21012.

Since launching Eclipse the number of people using the service has risen by around 15 per cent year-on-year, and in the last 12 months more than two million passengers have travelled on the service, said First Solent.

All 17 buses are fitted with the latest Euro VI engines, which produce 95 per cent less oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions compared to buses with Euro V engines and as a result will help improve air quality across the route.