A BUS company has agreed to a new deal with the council in a bid to improve the reliability of its services.

Carousel, which operates bus routes throughout South Bucks, has signed up to the Punctuality Improvement Partnership (PIP) designed to improve timekeeping, targets and increase the number of on-time journeys.

The project will use real time bus tracking technology and timetable changes as well as looking into right-of-way and bus lane use for public transport.

Phil Southall, operations director for Carousel, said, “The PIP agreement shows how far Carousel has come in the last few years. We’re now a major bus operator in the county with a fleet of modern vehicles.

“Our passengers deserve the best possible service and high on the list is punctuality. We look forward to working with Transport for Buckinghamshire to improve punctuality still further.”

The aim of the initiative is to increase overall customer satisfaction and encourage new passengers to use the bus for the first time.

Carousel is the second bus company in Bucks to make the agreement after Arriva signed a similar deal with Transport for Bucks in 2009.

As a result, the number of Arriva’s journeys running on time has increased by 11.5 per cent.

Cabinet member for Transport and Planning, Janet Blake said “This partnership is great news for bus passengers. Transport for Buckinghamshire is dedicated to encouraging bus usage and working with bus companies to improve the quality of services on offer.”

The deal comes after the Government advised councils to enter into improvement agreements with commercial bus operators serving their area.