easyBus has made a service agreement with MK Metro, a Milton Keynes based bus operator, to run the operations of easyBus. As the latest venture from Stelios the serial entrepreneur and easyGroup chairman, easyBus will use a fleet of Mercedes 16-seat buses.

The initial 10 buses will be delivered from Mercedes to easyBus in the next couple of months. MK Metro will then take responsibility for operating the easyBus network as well as maintaining the fleet and selecting and employing the initial team of 20 drivers who can apply through www.easyBus.co.uk. The pilot easyBus routes will link Brent Cross in north London with St. Albans, Luton, Milton Keynes and Bedford. As the project grows it will spread futher along the M1 corridor.

easyBus prices will start at £1 a seat. As with all easyGroup companies, the lowest prices will be available online on the basis of the earlier you buy, the less you pay and off peak journeys will cost less than peak period journeys.

"easyBus will be the easyJet of the road," said Stelios, "so I'm starting the company in the same way that I began the airline nearly ten years ago. easyBus will provide the brand, the online sales, the demand-based pricing and the marketing and MK Metro will supply their expertise in operating buses," he continued.

easyBus will grow the market in medium distance bus travel in two ways. With its attractive pricing, easyBus will compete not only with other bus services but also with trains and cars as well as being an alternative to other activities. In addition, using smaller 16 seat minibuses, easyBus will be able to operate neighbourhood to neighbourhood routes, avoiding the expensive city centre bus stations at both ends of the route.