PUPILS at two schools in the borough are to get a transport boost with their own bus service.

Castlebrook High in Unsworth and Philips High in Whitefield will be among six new schools in Greater Manchester to get their first yellow school bus service, joining 53 others in cutting congestion caused by the school run.

The latest hybrid-electric buses, which cost £210,000 each, are part-funded by the government’s Green Bus Fund.

The vehicles reduce harmful emissions by up to 35 per cent compared to diesel buses.

A total of 52 of the 93-strong fleet are now hybrid-electric vehicles, while a further 34 older diesel yellow school buses will be with pollution control equipment.

Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “Not only are these buses taking thousands of car journeys off the road, but Greater Manchester now has the greenest fleet of yellow school buses in the country.

"Yellow school buses are a great way to travel, providing children and their parents with a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to the school run. I’m pleased that hundreds more pupils are set to benefit.”

More than 3,000 pupils are signed up to use the services, which pick-up and drop-off children close to home, in a safe place to wait and board.

Children sit in the same safety-belt fitted seat every day, which helps prevent vandalism and litter, and buses have CCTV video recorders.

Buses can seat 57-67 students, with a regular driver who recognises registered passengers.