June 28 2017
By Jessamy Chapman

Features Editor at routeONE magazine, Jessamy is also Editor of Group Tourism & Travel magazine

Operators gear up for fifth Catch the Bus Week

Popular campaign returns next week, with huge support from industry

Catch the Bus Week returns next week, 3-9 July, the fifth year of the successful campaign to promote bus travel.

Arriva North East used celebrity lookalikes last year to raise profile

Started by Greener Journeys, the campaign has been adopted by bus companies across the UK, including all of the ‘Big Five’, plus many others such as Abellio, Blackpool Transport, Cardiff Bus, Chalkwell, East Yorkshire Motor Services, Nottingham City Transport, Grant Palmer, Ipswich Buses, McGill's, Newport Bus, Prentice Coaches, Reading Buses, Reays, Sleafordian, Transdev and Centre Bus.

Since 2013, bus operators have used the Week to promote travelling by bus to those who would not normally consider it. Promotions over the years have included discounts, competitions, vehicle launches, photocalls and even viral dance crazes on YouTube. Operators have made good use of social media and the local press to promote their events and discounts.

Operators, local authorities and bodies also use the Week to highlight the environmental, economic and social benefits of bus travel.

This year, Arriva will be offering day tickets on its m-ticket app for £1 each across its network, as well as holding ‘A-lister roadshows’ around the country.

Brighton & Hove Bus Company will hold a ‘meet the manager’ event, with local Mayor Mo Marsh and Bus Users UK’s Claire Walters also in attendance.

Nottingham City Transport is offering a 10% discount on five-day tickets bought via its app for 3-9 July.

Claire Haigh, CEO of Greener Journeys, says: “We look forward to bus operators, MPs, local authorities and schools coming together to celebrate the bus and encourage people to leave their cars at home and hop on board. From deals to competitions and yarnbombing to green hands, the creativity on display during Catch the Bus Week is astonishing, and this year will be no different.

“There isn’t a single area of our daily lives that doesn’t in some way depend on the bus, so it is fantastic to see its worth celebrated in such creative and fun ways.”