Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator celebrated #CarFreeDay on the 22nd of September this year, by encouraging people to leave their car at home.
- Last year Stagecoach’s services helped prevent the release of 239,844 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.
- Over 400 fully electric vehicles to be introduced over the next 12 months
- Events held up and down the UK offering free Stagecoach travel
- Corporate ticket discounts available
Hosting events across the country and offering customers the chance to win free bus travel, customers could grab a timetable or tell the operator their thoughts on how it can improve services to encourage more people to ditch the car.
The operator is also using the nationally celebrated day to remind its corporate partners and their staff about the great discounts available, such as 10% saving to BT Group call centre staff and NHS Scotland.
In the Lake District, Stagecoach has launched a new campaign in partnership with rail networks to encourage people to ‘arrive by train, explore by bus’ showing that we don’t need to rely on the car to explore, commute or visit loved ones.
But Stagecoach says even more needs to be done to tackle modal shift and to educate communities across the UK on one of the most sustainable transport modes. In 2022/2023 financial year, Stagecoach’s bus service helped prevent the release of 239,844 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. With serious targets to achieve, including having a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2035, Stagecoach is also introducing over 400 new fully electric vehicles in the next year, reducing carbon emissions even further.
A new feature on the Stagecoach Bus App, also allows customers to see how much CO2 they have saved by taking the bus instead of the car.
Ray O’Toole, Executive Chairman for Stagecoach said: “The scale and speed of the transformation required is stretching – and make no mistake, it is going to require fundamental changes. But it can be done.
“We have a roadmap to becoming a carbon neutral business will continue investment in new zero-emissions fleets and other green technologies over the next 15 years to reduce the impact of the company’s operations on the planet, as well as initiatives to cut waste, boost recycling and conserve water. We are also aiming to decarbonise our business by around 70% by 2035 as well as targeting a zero emissions UK bus fleet by that date.
“But we all need to make changes. Governments need to change their contradictory policies and mixed messages, incentivising people to switch away from cars, not just switch to electric cars. Individually, we all need to consider the journeys we make and make more sustainable choices where there are clear alternatives. Together, we can create a greener, smarter, safer, healthier and fairer country – so let’s start that journey on #CarFreeDay.”
