A NEWLY-appointed bus boss has pledged to improve the reliability of services in Bury.

The promise by First's new managing director Ian Davies follows criticism about the company's "poor performance" from Greater Manchester transport chiefs.

As part of its drive to provide a better service, First is to invest in a fleet of new vehicles which will be on the road this year.

Earlier, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) had expressed concern about the reliability of Firsts bus services throughout the county.

Mr Davies has now announced First's planned investment in 280 new vehicles. Management changes within First's Greater Manchester operations are also underway, alongside improvements to the company's maintenance and engineering facilities and better internal communications.

Councillor Roger Jones, GMPTA chairman, said: "I thank Mr Davies for attending our meetings and outlining the actions he intends to take. For the sake of Greater Manchester's bus passengers, I hope he is able to make good on his commitment to improving the reliability of First's services.

"This authority has a duty to challenge poor performance and local bus passengers can be assured that we will continue to monitor First's performance closely."

He added: "Mr Davies' attendance at our meetings is a direct consequence of complaints from local bus passengers. The authority has an important role in representing the views of local public transport users. So, I would urge Greater Manchester's bus users to continue to be our eyes and ears and help us keep track of First's performance over the coming months."

Mr Davies has also pledged to be a single contact point for comments and complaints. He says customers can write to him direct at First, Wallshaw Street, Oldham.