A GROUP of Hampshire schools is taking part in a project designed to encourage pupils to take the bus.

The new BusIT card allows pupils at participating schools to travel to and from school for £1 a day, including a change of bus if needed.

The card comes in a pack with discount vouchers for bus users, personalised timetables and links to the BusIT website - which offers a computerised journey planner.

Pupils at The Toynbee School in Chandler's Ford helped to launch the scheme with a helping hand from Councillor Ken Thornber, the Hampshire County Council leader, and bus company representatives from Solent Blue Line and Wilts and Dorset.

Cllr Thornber said: "So far the county council has issued over 1,700 BusIT packs and over a thousand journeys a week are being made by schoolchildren using BusIT. It's a safe and eco-friendly way of delivering our children to their schools," he said.

Crestwood College, Thornden School, St Swithun Wells and The Toynbee School are the first schools in the Eastleigh area to take part, while in the Waterside, Applemore College and Noadswood School are involved. For more information about BusIT please visit www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport and select the BusIT link.