Win a year's free bus travel with Stagecoach

Stagecoach South West is offering one lucky passenger the chance to win a year's worth of free bus travel  by finding a golden ticket hidden underneath a seat on a bus somewhere in Devon.

The competition, running throught the week, celebrates the second annual 'Catch the Bus Week' to promote sustainable travel in county.

The initiative has seen Stagecoach South West  joining forces with sustainable transport group Greener Journeys and Devon County Council to encourage local people to ditch their cars in favour of taking the bus.

Mike Watson, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said: “There are obvious environmental benefits of taking the bus instead of driving – but bus travel can also save people money and reduce the stress of driving and parking in busy towns and cities.

“Catch the Bus Week is a great example of how the industry can work together to encourage greater use of sustainable travel.

“Ensuring people can access high quality, affordable and sustainable bus travel is a shared responsibility between transport providers and central and local government.

“As bus operators we will continue to work hard in partnership with other parties to make that happen.”

An all-day event in Exeter city centre will kick off proceedings, with the County Council’s Travel Devon team hosting a roadshow on a Stagecoach bus in Bedford Square, Princesshay. The team will be on hand to provide information and advice on bus travel and other sustainable travel options, as well as offering goodies.

Primary Schools across Devon are also being invited to take part, with children having the opportunity to enter a competition to design a poster saying why they think it is best to catch the bus. One lucky winner will win the use of a Stagecoach bus for a day for their class and the artwork by runners-up will be reproduced and displayed inside Stagecoach buses.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Catch the Bus Week. It’s an opportunity to highlight the benefits of sustainable travel, and hopefully people will decide to leave their car at home and make a journey by bus during the week.

“We’re also delighted to be working with Stagecoach on these community events. By working together with our partners, such as Stagecoach, we can tackle congestion and make sustainable travel a more attractive and realistic option for more people in Devon.”

Throughout the week, Devon County Council will also be continuing the search to find “Devon’s Best Bus Driver”.

Anyone who hasn’t already nominated a driver can do so at any of the roadshow events, or online nomination forms are available on the Council’s website: www.journeydevon.info/devons-best-bus-driver

Nominations must be submitted to the Council by Friday 16 May.  The winning driver and two runners up will be drawn by the end of May. All entries will be entered into a free prize draw with the opportunity for the nominator to win a book voucher.

The 'Catch the Bus Week' initiative, launched last year, seeks to champion  sustainable transport and boost the number of regular bus users.

Claire Haigh, Chief Executive of Greener Journeys said: “Buses provide vital transport links. They connect people to jobs, to education, to retail and leisure opportunities. They help reduce congestion and they are green way to travel. Simply walking to and from the bus stop each day can help you get your ten thousand steps and improve your wellbeing.

“By providing access to jobs and training, getting customers to places of business, buses support the economy and economic growth. I am delighted to be launching Catch the Bus Week. It is a fantastic way to increase awareness of the many benefits buses bring to our lives and hopefully encourage those who up until now have wary of bus travel to give it a try.” 

In 2013 Stagecoach Group was awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard for measuring, managing and reducing its global carbon footprint, becoming the first public transport operator to have its boundaries certified outside of Europe.

The Group reduced the carbon footprint of its businesses in the UK and North America by 6% in the three years from 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2013 and also reduced the carbon intensity (tCO2e/£m turnover) of its global operations during the period by 8.6% as a result of a package of measures designed to make its business more sustainable.

Research has shown that if everyone switched just one car journey a month to bus that would be one billion fewer car journeys on the roads, and a saving of 2 million tonnes of CO26.

To find out more about what Stagecoach South West is doing to promote ‘Catch the Bus Week’ log on to www.stagecoachbus.com/catchthebus

Plus, over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend (3-5 May inclusive), Stagecoach’s Family Explorer ticket will cost just £10 (normal price £15).

A Family Explorer gives up to 2 adults and 3 children travelling together a day of unlimited travel on Stagecoach South West buses – the perfect reason to ‘Catch the Bus’ and discover all that Devon has to offer.