SOUTHAMPTON is set for a public transport boost with a new multi-million pound fleet of buses to be launched today.

Bus company First has spent £1.6m on 10 Southampton City Red vehicles and you can catch a first glimpse of the red liveried buses outside Southampton Guildhall this afternoon where seven will be on display.

The new fleet will operate on route seven from the city centre to Portswood, Bitterne Park and Townhill Park – the third route in the city to be operated by City Red vehicles after a total £7m investment by First in the past three years.

First Southampton general manager Chrissie Bainbridge said the vehicles are among the most fuel efficient and eco friendly on the market.

She said: “Our £1.6 million investment in 10 new City Red buses is great news for our Southampton customers. It also underlines our continuing determination to provide ever better bus services in our area and encourage more people to travel by bus. These new vehicles will be among the best and most eco-friendly in Hampshire.

“We are delighted that the City Red services are already proving so popular with customers. This has contributed to passenger growth of nearly seven per cent in Southampton over the past year.

“Customers using these City Red buses can enjoy pleasant, more comfortable journeys. They can also keep connected on the move with our free Wi-Fi, while we support the efforts of our local authority partners to improve air quality for all.”

The vehicles are fitted with Euro 6 engines which mean large reductions in polluting emissions, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide.

Each bus has leather seats, CCTV, Wi-fi, wheelchair space and extra room to accommodate pushchairs.

They will also be inspected by city councillors and transport bosses while on display at the Guildhall today.

Last year, 18 new buses worth £2.7 million were launched under the City Red branding. Ten now operate on Service 2 between Millbrook and the city centre and eight on Service 11 between the city centre and Weston.

To celebrate the launch, First has been running a social media competition asking locals to photograph one of their ‘seven wonders of Southampton’ while bosses will also be giving away a Saints shirt signed by famous number seven Matthew Le Tissier.