A NEW bus, which operates in France and Las Vagas, was unveiled for the first time to a mixed response from visitors for and against the proposed Leigh to Manchester busway.

The vehicle, which brings many of the features of modern trams to buses, has been on show for the first time in this country in St Mary's Way, Leigh.

According to a spokesman for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive there has been overwhelming support for the vehicle, which is being considered for operation on the proposed Leigh - Salford - Manchester Quality Bus Corridor, a plan which caused a storm when it was announced in the mid 1990s.

At the time a Journal poll revealed that over 90 per cent of readers were against the project which will see guided buses running along the route of the naturalised former Leigh-Tyldesley railway line as far as Ellenbrook from where it will join the A580 East Lancashire Road.

But daily bus commuter to the city David Clough, believes the whole project is a shambles and a waste of money.

The Leigh-based civil servant from Chestnut Drive, said: "The bus on show is going to be delivered to Bologna and is an inner city bus and not ideal for use over long distance.

"There is a lot a standing room and the seats are suitable for a size 10 Italian not a size 16 Leigh woman.

"They say there will be a 10 minute interval service but First Bus withdrew the hourly express bus because of lack of demand.

"This busway is a crass waste of money. It would be better if there were more and newer buses on the existing express service. The people planning this scheme obviously don't use buses.

"They could opt for a cheaper solution in giving buses priority on the East Lancashire Road on selected sections.

"We don't need a busway and we don't need a 10 minute service, there isn't the demand."