FREE taster tickets and £1 fares are some of the customer incentives announced by First Manchester ahead of the guided busway services opening on April 3.

Customers travelling on the Vantage busway service will pay a maximum of £1 for any single journey between Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley and Ellenbrook in Worsley.

The promotional fare will be available for at least six months.

Free taster tickets can also be claimed until April 2, with mobile tickets also being available.

Regular fares will be £4.20 for FirstDay and £14 for FirstWeek and the range of mobile tickets, including the £10 weekly for 16 to 18-year-olds will continue to be available.

Buses are set to start at 4am and run beyond midnight, with facilities including free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, climate control and on-board ‘next stop’ audio and visual announcements.

There will be four buses an hour throughout the day from Leigh and Atherton, meaning passengers travelling from Astley Street in Tyldesley can catch eight buses an hour in either direction.

Ian Humphreys, head of commercial for First Greater Manchester, said: “I'm sure our promotional fares alongside our everyday value for money tickets will be very popular and we look forward to welcoming customers on board these faster, reliable, high quality services."

The scheme includes three park and ride sites in Leigh, Tyldesley and on the East Lancs Road that will be free for all bus users and should ease demand on rail services during morning and evening peaks.

To register for taster tickets visit firstgroup.com/vantage.