NEWPORT Transport is giving the city's shoppers an extra special present this Christmas - free buses for all its customers on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

In the first scheme of its kind in Britain, managing director Chris Blythe announced today that all Newport Transport routes will be free on two of the biggest days of the year, saving 36,000 customers an estimated £18,000.

Mr Blythe said the decision was designed to reward the bus company’s 7.5 million passengers for their loyalty throughout 2009, and encourage people to act responsibly by leaving their cars at home during the festive party season.

From the first bus leaving the company's Corporation Road depot at 4.30am, until the last bus leaving Newport bus station at 9pm, every Newport Transport service on December 24 and 31 will be free.

Although a Saturday timetable will be running on both days, this will amount to 40 routes including buses between Newport and Cwmbran and services from Newport to Cardiff.

Mr Blythe, a former bus driver himself, said that the free services will also benefit Newport businesses by bringing shoppers into the city centre at a time when they have been hit hard by the economic recession.

“We have to recognise it’s been a tough year for everybody, and we need to make sure that we make a concerted effort to try to help that."

The scheme has the support of Newport city council, bus manufacturer Scania, the South Wales Argus, and Gwent Police.

Superintendent Julian Knight said police were "delighted" by the announcement, and added a team of police community support officers would also be dedicated to the buses to help look after passengers.

Leader of Newport city council Matthew Evans encouraged shoppers to take advantage of the Christmas offer which he said would give a helping hand to traders and meant party goers would be able to get home safely.

Mr Blythe added that the festive move was just the first in a number of projects which would be rolled out in 2010 to help reward Newport Transport customers.