Greater Manchester is set to launch its first fully electric buses, offering free rides to commuters.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it has taken delivery of three new electric buses, jointly funded through the Department for Transport’s Green Bus Fund.

The new vehicles will join an existing fleet of 17 hybrid electric buses and will operate on the free Metroshuttle routes in the city centre from next week.

Councillor Mark Aldred, Deputy Chair of the TfGM Committee said: “These new electric buses are cheaper to run and quieter than normal buses and give off no harmful emissions – contributing to a better environment for everyone who lives in, works in and visits the city centre.”

Greater Manchester expects to have more than 300 green buses on its roads by 2015.