The new bus schedule has 50 buses on the road at peak times but a temporary reduction in frequency while the ageing vehicles are repaired or replaced, MPs heard this morning.

Zane DeSilva, the transport minister, said the first of eight new buses had arrived last month.

The second is expected to arrive next month and one new bus every three weeks is scheduled to go into service until August.

Mr DeSilva said there will also be “real time passenger information” provided online this year.

He added a request for proposal had been completed for digital payment of fares.