TRANSPORT bosses have redrawn the map of the borough.

Now, local commuters can benefit from the brand new version of Greater Manchester's public transport network map.

It is one of 12 just published by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) to replace the former network maps.

The latest ones are based on new aerial photography, enabling more side streets, landmarks and additional local information to be included in the details of the public transport network.

The extra information will enable passengers to have a better understanding of where they are in relation to the map and where they wish to travel to.

Councillor Winston Ramsey, the borough's spokesman for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) said: "The authority is striving to provide a fully integrated, accessible and reliable public transport system. "We are looking at all modes of travel and at all aspects of the public transport journey. The provision of more and better information is an essential part of this process."

He added: "Lack of information is one of the greatest deterrents to travelling by public transport, rather than by private car.

"People who are unused to using the bus, train and tram are not likely to try it if they don't know how.

"These maps are going to make it much easier for passengers to understand where they are, where they want to go and how to get there."

The new maps are now available in Travelshops, libraries and other public places.

Plans are in place to display the new larger scale maps on bus stops using the area of the map most relevant to the stop location.

Coun Ramsey continued: "I am personally very impressed with the level of detail included in the news maps and feel that they are going to be much more helpful to passengers.

"While the whole network map was helpful to an extent, passengers are much more likely to be making local journeys and will, therefore, benefit from the greater detail.

"The maps have an overlap at the edge, showing which area services continue into, for the benefit of passengers who are making longer journeys