THE guided bus has won a national award for the most innovative transport project.

The award was given at the National Transport Awards in London, which was attended by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and recognises excellence in transport, Cambridgeshire County Council said.

Judges were told that the busway had exceeded expectations and had carried more than 2.5million journeys within the first year – well beyond its business case – and was helping to boost the local economy, and was already in place to support the transport needs of residents of the 25,000-home new town of Northstowe.

Its use of technology was also highlighted along with its green credentials.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Ian Bates, cabinet member for growth and planning, said: “This national award is recognition of just how successful the busway is, especially as it was being compared with flagship projects such as the Heathrow pods and Emirates Airline in London.

“The sheer fact that we are so ahead of the business case and that bus operators put on extra services just weeks into the start of the busway shows just how popular it is.

“The busway is important in helping to reduce congestion and boost the local economy. With thousands of cyclists using the maintenance track it also provides a major boost to people getting on their bike.”