THE next stop for Bury schoolchildren could be a trip on an American-style yellow bus.

First Manchester has confirmed it is interested in running a similar school bus operation for youngsters in the borough as it does in the USA.

Children would be picked up and dropped off close to their homes, usually within 100 yards, and the driver would be someone whom the children would get to know, often a parent at the school.

A yellow bus was put on show last week at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton by parent company FirstGroup, whose bosses say it could revolutionise school travel in England. The company is the second largest operator of school buses in the USA, where 54 per cent of children under 12 use a school bus, compared with just 20 per cent of children of all ages in England.

Managers believe the American-style service can be adopted in England to improve safety, cut rush-hour traffic congestion, and help children arrive on time for the start of the school day.

Moir Lockhead, FirstGroup's chief executive, said: "We believe the yellow school bus is the catalyst for change. It is recognised, known and trusted. We believe it will give parents the confidence to let their children go to school by public transport.

"Our service is more than just providing a bus. It is a partnership between the school, the parent and the company. The school bus itself is one of the safest vehicles there is, while the operation is very different to the school bus service we see here now.

"In America, children are picked up from within 100 yards of their homes, the driver is the same every day, knows each child and ticks them off a list.

"The driver is usually a parent at the school and is in direct radio contact with either the company's operations room or the school itself."

First Manchester managers are expected to meet representatives from all local authorities in Greater Manchester to put the case forward for running the service.