First Manchester is continuing to increase the offering of its premium Vantage bus service by adding a new route from 29th January.

The new V3 Vantage service will launch on 29th January, and will run hourly every day, to and from Manchester Royal Infirmary. The popular V1 and V2 Vantage services will continue to operate, but there will be minor changes to the timetable to allow the services more time to complete their journeys during peak times.

Numbered V3, services will run from Leigh along the four and a half mile traffic-free guided busway. Bus lanes on the East Lancs Road then mean a fast and comfortable route into the city, with stops including the East Lancs Road Park & Ride, University of Salford and Salford Crescent Railway Station. The V1 and V2 routes will continue to serve Piccadilly Gardens and Stevenson Square, whilst the V3 will travel straight down Princess Street, Portland Street and Oxford Street before reaching Oxford Road, with services running as far as the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Ian Humphreys, Head of Commercial at First Manchester, said: “The V3 service will be run with the same premium Vantage vehicles, which means you can travel in style with e-leather seating, free Wi-Fi, 'next stop' audio and visual announcements, luxury seats, tables upstairs and USB charging points.

“The new route will be introduced on 29th January, and we’d therefore advise customers to check the First Manchester website for full timetable information, or to contact our customer services team with any questions.”

The V1, V2 and V3 services will operate as follows:
•  V1: Leigh – Tyldesley – Ellenbrook – East Lancs Road Park & Ride – Manchester
•  V2: Atherton – Tyldesley – Ellenbrook – East Lancs Road Park & Ride – Manchester
•  V3: Leigh – Tyldesley – Ellenbrook – East Lancs Road Park & Ride – Manchester – Manchester Royal Infirmary