SUPERBUSES could be introduced as part of a major shake-up of a district's public transport.

A raft of ideas has been put forward with the aim of boosting passenger numbers on Teesside by six per cent by 2010.

Among the proposals are plans for tram-like superbuses on several key routes, along with the latest passenger information systems and other improvements to increase passenger numbers.

Stockton Borough Council has backed the proposals for major improvements in the way bus services are delivered across the Tees Valley following a review by consultants for the five Tees Valley councils and local bus operators earlier this year.

If endorsed by the four other partner councils in the coming months, including Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington, the radical plans could reverse the trend of falling passenger numbers, with the superbus system forming the subject of a joint bid for major Government funding.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton council's cabinet member for regeneration and development, said: "We will work with bus operators and the Government to place the Tees Valley at the forefront of developing the bus as an environmentally sustainable alternative to the car, exploring the potential of alternative fuels and other green technologies, as well as the latest information and ticketing technology."

The proposals include:

* replacement of existing, outdated route networks

* new, super core routes with up to eight buses per hour to compete with cars

* advanced route management and ticketing systems

* core routes with six buses per hour and some bus priority measures

* modern, low-floor vehicles, with superbuses on key routes.

There is no timescale for implementation, but a bid for Government funding could be made early next year, with detailed route proposals developed later