A £500,000 fleet of greener, more customer-friendly buses will roll into action from tomorrow.

Rossendale Transport has rebranded its ‘Rossendalebus easyride’ as ‘rosso’ and and its new-look fleet will operate in East Lancashire including Accrington, Huncoat, Burnley, Rawtenstall, Blackburn, Haslingden and Bacup.

Eventually all buses will be in the new ‘rosso’ livery.

Fifteen vehicles will make up the new fleet at a cost of around £500,000.

Bosses say the buses are better for the environment because they have lower emissions and have wider access for customers, as well as new seating arrangements and layout.

To celebrate the unveiling of the fleet’s new design, passengers will receive free travel between 2pm and midnight on Thursday.

Managing director of Rossendale Transport Brian Juffs said: “The launch of this new-look service is great news for passengers across East Lancashire and beyond.

“To mark the occasion we are offering anyone who uses one of our ‘rosso’ buses free travel this Thursday.”

The new ‘rosso’ service will be officially launched by the mayor of Rossendale, Amanda Robertson, the leader of the council, Alyson Barnes, and the chief executive of Rossendale Council, Helen Lockwood, at the Valley Centre in Rawtenstall tomorrow..

Brian said: “We are also launching a new customer charter to coincide with the re-brand.

“This will help to raise standards and ensure we consistently meet our passengers’ expectations."

In August, under-16s can buy special ‘day rover’ tickets for £2, allowing them unlimited travel on the ‘rosso’ network.

For more information, visit rossendalebus.co.uk.