Metrobus has been handed the contract to run a pioneering £29 million bus network linking Crawley, Gatwick and Horley.
West Sussex County Council gave the bus firm the go-ahead to operate the Fastway scheme, which is due to start next year.
The Fastway buses will travel on specially-built "guideway" tracks, bypassing traffic queues.
The network will be the first of its kind outside a major city and the first to include an airport.
Alan Eatwell, managing director of Metrobus, said: "We're delighted to be able to operate Fastway. It's one of the most exciting new transport schemes in the country.
"Our aim will be to provide an efficient and reliable service, tailored to meet the travel needs of the 21st Century."
Councillor Tex Pemberton, Cabinet member on the council, said: "Metrobus demonstrated a commitment to quality through the very successful Gatwick Direct service and has made it clear its aim is to deliver a top-quality service."
Scania, which makes bespoke buses, has been confirmed as the preferred supplier of the new vehicles.
The buses will have low-noise, low-vibration and low-emission engines, on-board information displays and CCTV cameras.
Fastway's main route will link south and west Crawley with the town centre, via Manor Royal to Gatwick Airport and Horley, with links to Three Bridges station.
Details of the services should be announced later in the autumn.
The network will be built in three phases, each lasting a year.
Work on the first phase started in May this year and full services should be operating by late 2004 or early 2005.
