A COUNCIL is keen to find out if plans to upgrade a bus route are just the ticket with commuters.

New bus shelters, better lighting and improved public transport information are planned for the 44-stop route for the Numbers 48 and 49 route, which operates across east Cleveland.

But Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council wants to be sure this is what travellers want and so the proposals are open for consultation.

Councillor Eric Empson, cabinet member for strategic planning, development and infrastructure said: "We want to make sure the scheme meets the needs of bus users, while maximising any adverse effects to those living on or near the route.

"That's why it's important that as many people as possible take part in this consultation exercise."

Service 48 and 49, the third busiest in the borough, operates from Redcar bus station, and takes in the Green Lane estate, Marske, Saltburn, Skelton, Boosbeck and Lingdale.

The proposals - part of a £1.5m investment to upgrade services - can be viewed in three libraries, Redcar Central, Laburnum Road, Redcar and Marske.

The consultation, for which details are also available through the council's website, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk, will last for three weeks, until July 1.

These latest proposals follow improvements to 60 stops and the provision of 33 new shelters on the Service 63 route, operating from Redcar bus station to the borough boundary at Marton railway station.

The 65 route, which runs from the borough's southern boundary at Boulby to its western boundary at Ormesby, has improvements to its 58 stops along a 31km route.