The monster buses coming to Edinburgh which will be the UK's biggest

The buses can accommodate 131 passengers. Picture: Alexander Dennis

Lothian's fleet of 42 Falkirk-built vehicles will also see travellers alighting through middle doors for the first time in a decade to speed up services.

The 45ft long buses will be able to accommodate a total of 131 passengers, including those standing.

Other features on the six-wheelers include high-back seats to give passengers more personal space.

Lothian managing director Richard Hall said they would be introduced in late January, on routes still to be decided.

He said: "We are trying to create an atmosphere that feels comfortable, safe, warm and welcoming.

"We want bus travel to be somewhere nice to be that delights the passenger.

"It's the best spec bus in the UK."

The bus has 17 rows of high-back seats upstairs. Picture: Alexander Dennis

Mr Hall said enticing people out of their cars required "something that really gives them a first-class experience".

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Lothian scrapped middle doors in 2009 but will be the first in Scotland to reinstate them, in an attempt to reduce delays at bus stops.

Mr Hall said: "We wanted to look at how to speed up alighting and journey times, and improve passenger flow.

Lothian hopes the bus will provide a "comfortable, safe, warm and welcoming" atmosphere. Picture: Alexander Dennis

"It can take up to three minutes to empty a double decker, and people can't get on and off at the same time."

However, he said few people would try to board through the middle door to dodge fares.

He said: "There is more CCTV and we have inspectors, so the revenue risk is absolutely minimal."