Stagecoach West has launched its new Route 66 which the company says will boost transport links between Swindon, Faringdon and Oxford.

The company held an official launch this week to mark the start of services along the A420, increasing the number of journeys along the busy road.

This includes more Monday to Saturday services, increasing the daytime frequency to every 30 minutes, and extra journeys in the evenings.

The service will also provide additional journeys on Sundays to increase the current frequency to hourly.

To celebrate these improvements, the Route 66 buses have been given a face-lift in the form of a striking new livery which were unveiled at the Best Western Sudbury House Hotel in Faringdon.

Ian Manning, Managing Director of Stagecoach West, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer these improvements in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council in the light of the new housing developments in Faringdon. We look forward to welcoming new customers, both commuters and leisure passengers, on board the more frequent service.

“The introduction of the enhanced service has been on the cards for a while and we are delighted that through partnership with the Council we have been able to make these changes to the route. “We believe that the enhancement of Route 66 will deliver a much-needed boost to bus provision in the area, opening up more areas to those travelling by bus. “These changes to the route will serve as an environmental benefit as well, meaning people that previously drove between Swindon, Faringdon and Oxford now have the greener option of travelling on a Stagecoach bus.”

Allan Field, Bus Services Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, said “I am delighted to be working closely with Stagecoach to make Service 66 more attractive for residents living along the route. The enhanced frequency and additional evening and Sunday journeys will give more people the flexibility to choose the bus with all the environmental benefits that public transport gives.”