A NEW transport programme is hoping to provide the borough's residents with better and reliable bus services across three routes.

Bus routes 607, 140 and 207 will see improvements such as new bus lanes, low-floor buses and better bus stops and traffic signals as of this month.

The improvements are being introduced through the BusPlus Programme which is an initiative between Ealing Council and Transport for London.

Stephen Sears, Portfolio holder for Transport and Sustainable Development, London Borough of Ealing, said: "We wholeheartedly support the BusPlus programme and are delighted with the new bus lanes.

"Survey research indicates that people are put off using buses because of their unreliability. These new bus lanes will help to reduce bus journey times and improve bus reliability."

The bus improvement schemes have been installed under experimental traffic orders. Members of the public can comment on how the scheme is actually working in practice during a six month feedback period. It is hoped that any problems that are highlighted through this feedback process can be changed.

However a few residents along the routes that have been affected by the improvements have already voiced their disapprovement of the new plans. Two weeks ago The Times reported on a new bus stop that had appeared overnight in place of designated 'stop and shop' parking spaces outside a parade of shops on St Marys Road, Ealing.

A spokesman for the council said: "Public consultation on the proposed bus lane schemes was carried out during 2001. The feedback was positive with more people in favour of each of the proposals than against them."