Multi-million pound plans for a new super-fast bus network across the Black Country and Birmingham were revealed today.

Futuristic buses similar to ones already used in Las Vegas and Seattle in the USA will hit the streets as part of the new Birmingham Sprint scheme.

The first of four new routes is set to be in place within five years, linking Five Ways in Birmingham to Walsall. It is hoped the project will coax people out of their cars by offering smoother, quicker journeys on state-of-the-art bendy buses that resemble trams.

The spacious vehicles, which will include comfortable seats, air conditioning and low easy access, will travel along new and existing bus lanes and have priority traffic lights. They will stop at key points around the region, such as train stations, coach stations, university campuses and business parks.

The other routes on the “rapid transit” network will link Ladywood to Perry Barr, Eastside to Quinton and Bartley Green and Birmingham International train station to Ladywood via Sheldon and Chelmsley Wood.

The Five Ways to Walsall route will stop at Birmingham Broad Street, Centenary Square, New Street, Moor Street, the new High Speed Rail station, Aston University, Newtown, Perry Barr and Great Barr before stopping at Walsall train station.

Transport authority Centro described the new network as a “very high quality tram-style service” that would offer “more relaxed” journeys.

The final cost of Birmingham Sprint is still being worked out but funding is set to come from Government pots such as the Regional Growth Fund, Local Sustainable Transport Fund and Major Scheme Fund. Money will also come from deals between the private and public sectors.

Birmingham Sprint is part of the wider Vision for Movement blueprint, which was unveiled by transport bosses today at the ICC outlining plans for the next 20 years.

Centro chief executiven Geoff Inskip, said: “Working with the city’s business community, we have set out a clear vision of the transport schemes that Birmingham needs to enable economic growth and secure its future prosperity. As the transport authority, we give our full support in helping to develop and deliver these initiatives.”