NEW state-of-the-art buses will start carrying passengers around south Essex and to Stansted Airport from today.

First Essex, in partnership with the airport, have invested £1.9m in 12 brand new buses to run on services X10 and X30.

The new buses have leather seating, CCTV, free Wi-Fi and USB charging points, luggage racks, a dedicated space for a wheelchair and extra space is provided for pushchairs.

Alex Jones, managing director of First Essex, said: “This investment is a great example of how working with our partners at Stansted Airport and Essex County Council, we have been able to improve the journey experience for our customers travelling to and from the airport.

“The service will provide a cost effective, fast, frequent journey for commuters, holidaymakers and staff working at the site.

“We’re confident that these new vehicles will encourage more people to travel to and from Stansted by bus.

“We anticipate carrying around 7,000 passengers a week which will help remove cars from our roads, reduce congestion and help improve air quality in the area.”

The services, which will not receive new timetables, run throughout the day, night and early morning, every day of the week on every day of the year, except Christmas Day.

All 12 new buses will be fitted with the latest Euro VI engines, which produce 95% less emissions compared with current buses.

Eddie Johnson, Essex County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We welcome this investment to create a modern transport network for Essex to help support economic growth across the county.

“It is heartening to see businesses like First and Stansted Airport working together and investing in the future to improve the level of service on offer to the customer.

“Residents will benefit from a new direct service for Basildon and Wickford to the airport as well as an increased frequency from Chelmsford.

“I look forward to seeing sustainable coach and bus travel continue to grow and support the record passenger numbers we have seen in recent years at Stansted Airport.”