Go-Ahead supports 'Catch the Bus Week'
Go-Aheads bus operating companies are supporting Greener Journeys national catch the bus week encouraging people to use their local bus network.
Now in its third year, the week is a national celebration of the benefits of taking the bus. Between 29 June and 5 July Go-Ahead companies will be hosting a range of activities aimed at getting people to leave their cars behind and use buses instead.
Go-Ahead’s group marketing director, Katy Taylor, explained:
“There will be events, ticket giveaways and lots of fun activities taking place across all our bus companies. We’re promoting the week in collaboration with local radio stations and local councils, at shopping centres, and schools and colleges. We expect social media will continue to play an even stronger role in getting our message out there with online activities to win free travel and mobile-tickets promotion offers as well as Twitter and Facebook competitions and games.”
The more serious message behind the fun activity throughout ‘catch the bus week’ is that Britain’s buses play an important, but often overlooked, role in our society.
Underpinning society
For many the bus is a vital lifeline providing affordable, accessible transport. 48% of the lowest income group do not have access to a car and young people particularly are dependent on bus services more than any other group. More than half of 16 to 19 year olds are regular bus users.
Supporting the economy
Almost 25 million people all over Britain travel to work by bus and a million more use it as a vital back-up. Bus users also support the economy by making 1.4 billion shopping trips and spending an estimated £27 billion on retail goods every year.
Environmentally responsible
Congestion costs the UK economy at least £11 billion each year. If everyone switched just one car journey a month to bus that would be one billion fewer car journeys on our roads, and a saving of two million tonnes of C02.
