Bus operator National Express has announced it is investing £5 million on travel between Sutton and Birmingham.

The investment which is part of the company’s Partnership Plus agreement with Centro aims to boost transport in the region.

The company is buying a 26-strong fleet of new buses to serve the area to be used on the main routes between Birmingham and Sutton – the 902, 904 and 905.

The routes serve Hill Hook, Falcon Lodge and Roughley respectively and 45,000 residents in these areas will receive half price day travel to encourage them on to public transport.

Peter Coates, Managing Director of National Express West Midlands said: “These new vehicles are equipped with the latest technology. We have greener low emission engines, GPS tracking to provide real time information on their arrival time to customers and state of the art CCTV. We are giving 45,000 people in the area the chance to try these new buses for half price. We urge them to make the most of this offer and see the difference this investment has made.”

“The new vehicles are a big investment into Sutton and Birmingham’s bus network and we hope that our customers will be as proud of them as we are.”

Coun John McNicholas, the chairman of Centro, said: “Partnership Plus is delivering real benefits to bus passengers of which this superb new fleet of vehicles is just the latest example.

“I am delighted to see them come into service and it sends a clear signal that our partnership with National Express West Midlands is delivering a world-class standard bus network.”