Thousands of bus users in York will benefit from state-of-the-art technology employed in the war against congestion - thanks to £500,000 of government money awarded to City of York Council today. The funding was unveiled by the Department for Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) and will ensure that the council's innovative BLISS system will be complemented by electronic 'real-time' information facilities at bus stops, other key city departure points and on buses themselves.

With the BLISS system, which secures queue-jumping priority over cars for buses at junctions and traffic lights, the measures will give bus users more confidence in timetabling reliability, persuading even more motorists off the road in favour of the bus and further reducing congestion. Bus Location Information Sub System (BLISS) uses satellite communication systems to give buses a green light through traffic signals.

Today's cash will be used to provide eighteen bus stops, the Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride and key city centre stops with real time information displays, letting commuters know exactly when the next bus will arrive. The facilities should be in place by the end of next year.

Bus users will also experience on-board continental style visual and audible information, letting passengers know where the bus will be stopping next. In addition, busy commuters will be able to access the information through their mobile phones and over the internet.

Councillor Dave Merrett, the council's executive member for planning and transport, said, "I am absolutely delighted at this news. The council is committed to using the latest technology to get buses through traffic and to help give bus users quicker, more up-to-date information to help them plan their journeys.

"This money will be used as part of our drive to ensure that buses can beat congestion and improve timetabling reliability - helping buses in the city can become a quick, reliable and competitive alternative to people using the private motor car to get about the city."

The success of electronic signs counting down the minutes for bus arrivals in London and other areas, led the council to make a bid for a system for York's bus commuters.

Dan Johnson, the council's principal transport planner, said, "We are harnessing the very latest technology to reduce journey times.

"The aim is and provide the highest quality transport system that will rival the private car and provide York's commuters with the transport system they deserve."

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Notes for editors: Audible real time information will also benefit people who are visually impaired. Real time information will be provided on parts of the Metro One Service, the Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride Service and the new Monks Cross Service. In total, 46 bids for bus real time funding were made to the DTLR and York's was one of 19 successful schemes. Successful authority or groups of authorities and allocation Derby - £260,000 Essex, Southend and Thurrock - £517,750 Gloucestershire - £797,000 Greater Manchester - £1,001,400 Kent - £834,000 Lancashire - £1,824,000 Leicester - £996,000 Lincolnshire - £1,001,700 Merseyside and Halton - £413,230 Plymouth - £765,000 Poole, Dorset and Bournemouth - £772,685 Portsmouth - £1,486,000 Reading - £1,738,600 Surrey - £1,300,000 West Midlands - £2,035,000 West and South Yorkshire - £2,521,000 Wiltshire - £829,500 Wokingham - £349,434 York - £539,000 TOTAL - £19,981,299