The service, operated by Brylaine Travel, was launched for its six-month trial two weeks ago and attracted 5,444 passengers in its first week compared to 1,889 on public transport the previous week.

Of those, 2,392 people were using concessionary bus passes that can now be used at any time of the day.

Brylaine's operations director Malcolm Wheatley says it is still early days for the scheme but it is quickly settling down.

He said: "It's going very well. There may have to be some trimming on the timetable when things have settled.

"In the first week we were inundated with passengers and the service was stretched but this is only the second week and things are starting to spread out now."

But the timing of the traffic lights controlling the flow of vehicles through Bridge Street and Town Bridge has caused a few problems.

"We have had buses that have met vehicles in Bridge Street but we are sorting that out with Siemens who are in charge of the traffic lights," added Mr Wheatley.

"We're hoping to make the delay a few seconds longer to give buses and cars a chance to get through."

Businesses in Strait Bargate say the service has so far had little effect on them but they do notice the noise made to warn pedestrians the bus is coming.

Sam Clek, manager of Tates fish and chip shop, said: "It's just the noise, you can hear it all day, but I know it's there for health and safety.

"The service is good. It brings people in to town that might not be able to get out. It makes a difference."

Becky Pearson, assistant manager at Curtis', said: "Apart from the noise it hasn't made a difference to us. There hasn't been any dip in trade."