Bus passengers in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch will be able to enjoy unlimited daily travel on all the area's major bus operators thanks to a new travel card.

The Getting About card, which is now in operation, enables passengers to hop on and off of different buses for a day across the three towns without being restricted to one bus company's services.

The cards can be purchased from the driver on first bus passengers board and cost just £3 for children, £5 for adults and £12 for a family of two adults and two children.

The scheme was introduced by the Voluntary Quality Bus Partnership, made up of bus operators and local authorities across the conurbation, following requests from bus users.

Tickets can be used on all buses run by the major operators in the area including Wilts & Dorset (including More buses and Route ONE) and Transdev Yellow Buses, as well as smaller operators such as Shamrock, Damory Coaches, Dolphin's Rossmore Flyer service and the Bournemouth Airport Shuttle Service.

Cllr Mike White, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transportation, Borough of Poole, said: "We are fortunate to live in a wonderful part of the country, visited by thousands of people each year and this scheme will be particularly useful for them. We have an excellent network of modern bus services across the conurbation and we are confident that the availability of this simple and convenient travelcard will encourage more people to hop on the bus."

Cllr Michael Filer, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Bournemouth Borough Council, said: "We are delighted that through successful partnership working with bus operators, we have been able to deliver this scheme. It will be ideal for the five million visitors we welcome each year, and especially for everyone visiting the Bournemouth Air Festival next week as we anticipate car parks will be exceptionally busy. Visitors are recommended to use public transport and the 'Getting About Card' will give the flexibility to use the first bus that arrives every time."

A clear map of services showing the Getting About Card area and with ideas for days out is now available from tourist information centres, libraries and bus company offices or visit www.gettingabout.info for full details.