Transportation Board.

And transport chiefs believe the new vehicles will please environmentalists as they are being fitted with special exhausts to combat pollution.

PTB, which has a 110-strong fleet of buses, hopes to take delivery of the replacement vehicles in July.

Each worth $200,000, the buses' chassis are being built in Germany, and the bodywork in Belgium.

They should have a lifespan of up to 15 years, claimed PTB director Mr. Herman Basden.

He pointed out the benefits of spending money on high-quality buses.

"It means we will keep our running costs down, since we won't have to continually pay for new parts,'' he said.

The new buses will look identical to the current ones, said Mr. Basden.

PTB's assistant director Mr. Larry Jacobs explained management's goal: "More passengers at less cost''.

Mr. Jacobs added PTB would also be relaunching its programme of visiting schools in a bid to improve children's behaviour on the buses.

The programme had proved a big success in decreasing misbehaviour and graffiti.

It involved drivers attending classes and teaching youngsters about etiquette, said Mr. Jacobs.

"We also get input from the children,'' he added.

The programme was launched following rowdiness at the Washington Street bus terminal in Hamilton.

Bus ambassadors on right road -- See Page 7 .