KEEN climber Steve Buckley doesn't really need his mountaineering boots and ropes to catch a bus.

Blackburn Transport has taken delivery of its ten new low floor buses, and employee Steve - a keen climber - was happy to get out his climbing gear in a light-hearted demonstration to show how much easier it is for passengers.

Steve, 26, was given the job of kitting the vehicles out with ticket machine equipment, notices to customers and other statutory notices.

Blackburn Transport invested three quarters of a million pounds in its new buses.

Steve said: "I am delighted that we can show to the people of Blackburn with Darwen that we are investing in the future of public transport in this area for the 21st century."

In September, Blackburn Transport put five low floor single deck buses into service, which run on the Accrington to Darwen via Blackburn service.

The latest fleet of buses are earmarked for the company's new Mill Hill, Leyburn Road, Feniscowles network which is being introduced in February 2000, and in the meantime they will run on existing services in the area as well as Blackburn to Accrington services.

They are capable of "kneeling" at bus stops to make the initial step even lower and there is room on board for wheelchair users or babies in buggies without the need for them to get out.

Michael Morton, Blackburn Transport's managing director, said: "There's certainly no need to put on your mountaineering kit when you travel on one of these new buses.

"They represent the very latest in low floor technology with a flat floor in the front half of the saloon making it easy for all customers with any kind of disability - including hands full of shopping bags.

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