NEW futuristic buses and bus lanes will be introduced to serve Omega.

They will run from the town centre and from St Helens to the £1 billion business development.

The vehicles are understood to be articulated buses running for most of the journey in dedicated new lanes with only a few stops - what is known as a Rapid Transit System (RTS).

They are a key part of the plan to make sure Omega traffic does not clog up the roads.

Estimated journey times are only slightly less than car journey times.

The Omega plan says: "The difference between public transport and current car journey times will be reduced significantly with the advent of RTS."

The new buses are expected to be quicker and more comfortable than traditional public transport.

Around eight vehicles an hour will operate on the main route at first.

The first phase of the Omega development will create an RTS route from Centre Park to a stop opposite the Town Hall and on to Cromwell Way and Chapelford before finishing at Omega.

An eastbound bus lane will be built in the central reservation of Sankey Way, and a westbound one in the wide grass verge.

The second phase of the plan will extend the route to St Helens.

A new route will run from a proposed 250-park and ride facility at Newton Station to a proposed park and ride facility at the M62, and down a dedicated new bus road in Delph Lane to Calver Road then Cromwell Avenue.