THE first new environmentally friendly buses which clean the air as they move will be on the road in Glasgow this week.

First Group is launching the first batch of buses to meet the strict Low Emission Zone criteria which will take effect at the end of the year.

The first phase will see 25 new vehicles which comply with Euro 6 standards will be in service on Wednesday.

First said the new buses as well as being cleaner themselves also have filters fitted which take in air and fumes from other vehicles in front and cleans it by trapping harmful particles before releasing it out the back.

First will be running the buses on the 75 route between Castlemilk and Milton via the city centre.

By the end of the year there will be 75 of the new buses on the road replacing the oldest buses in the fleet.

The Low Emission Zone come into force on New Year’s Day when over four years bus operator will gradually increase the number of buses which meet the strictest environmental standards.

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of First Glasgow said: “We are delighted to be launching our new bus fleet in such a unique way and I look forward to sharing this with the people of Glasgow.

“We have a fun day of activity planned with live music, special guests and giveaways and I would like to invite everyone along to George Square on Tuesday to see for themselves how we are improving bus services in the city.”

First bus will unveil one of the new buses built by Alexander Dennis in Falkirk, at an event in George Square tomorrow.

It will be hosted by comedian Des Clarke of Capital Radio and feature travel related giveaways and prize draws.

The first Phase of Glasgow’s LEZ will see 205 buses meet the new environmentally friendly criteria.

Every year another 20% of all buses travelling through the city centre will need to comply to remain on the road until the end of 2022.

First will account for more than one third of that total.

The Low Emission Zone will be in place in the city centre 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Private petrol engine cars using the city centre will have to comply with the Euro 4 Standard by the end of 2022 which is met by ll cars registered sine 2006.