Welsh Public urged to join other 99.9 million Welsh bus users for Catch the Bus Week
The public are being encouraged to ditch their cars and catch the bus next week as a crucial nationwide initiative takes place.
As the 7th annual Catch the Bus Week approaches, Traveline Cymru is urging people to embrace public transport and help reduce local traffic and congestion.
Between July 1st -7th July, the UK-wide campaign run by Greener Journeys, will promote the benefits of taking the bus, including accessibility, cost and comfort.
99.9 million passenger journeys were undertaken on local buses in Wales in 2017-18 and they have been helping people get out and about while also being convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly.
With a double decker bus able to reduce local congestion by taking approximately 75 cars off the road, a boost in bus users would result in shorter and reliable journeys, as well as reducing the stress caused by driving in urban areas.
Traveline Cymru are getting involved by running a competition for customers, asking them to send in a ‘selfie’ via social media or email of them on the bus between 1st-7th July.
The aim of the competition is to encourage people to swap at least one journey a week they would usually make by car, and to encourage those who already use public transport to continue doing so.
One entry will be allowed per customer per day and they will be entered into a prize draw to win a hamper full of sustainable, zero-waste treats, donated by Cardiff-based ‘Viva Organic’.
Jo Foxall, managing director at Traveline Cymru said:
“Catch the Bus Week is a great opportunity for people to swap their cars for their local bus, and really experience how enjoyable it can be.
“With economic and environmental benefits, there’s so many reasons to hop on the bus instead of using your car. With less stress and more affordability, using your local bus also helps nurture relationships with local communities and lets you experience new destinations.
“By getting more people to use the bus, we can all play a part in helping the Welsh economy. With public transport providing crucial access to towns and city centres for shoppers and commuters, every £1 spent on local buses can deliver more than £8 of wider economic benefits.
“During this year’s Catch the Bus Week, we want even more people to climb on board! Whether a regular bus user or not, it would be great if people could swap just one car journey a week for a ride on their local bus.”
Traveline Cymru is a not-for-profit company based on a partnership between the Welsh Government, public transport operators in Wales and Welsh local authorities. It provides route and timetable information for all bus, coach and rail services in the country via a bilingual website, its call centre and a suite of services for mobile phone users.
For information on the Traveline competition please visit: https://www.traveline.cymru/news/2019/06/26/win-with-traveline-cymrus-catch-the-bus-week-selfie-competition-from-1st-7th-july/
For more information about Catch the bus week please visit http://catchthebusweek.co.uk/about-us/