Stagecoach Groups has launched its ninth annual Green Week campaign, calling for tougher action on air quality to protect local communities across Britain.
As global concern grows over increasing pollution in towns and cities, the company says urgent action is needed by central and local government to tackle the public health emergency.
Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, Martin Griffiths, says: “Our commitment to our environmental responsibility is central to our business and we are continuing to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint as well as working with our partners to protect our environment.
“Green Week is a good chance for us to highlight our key messages around this, but our work to tackle the challenge of climate change is something that goes on all year round.”
Throughout Green Week, Stagecoach aims to further raise awareness of environmental issues among staff and passengers through a series of events across the Group’s businesses.
These include green initiatives and competitions held in partnership with local schools across the country, a series of roadshows across the UK, employee and customer competitions, social media initiatives, interactive online activities, and participation in local community events by Stagecoach employees.
Research by Professor David Begg for Greener Journeys has highlighted that across the country the congestion crisis is turning people away from bus travel and putting jobs in the industry and wider economy at risk.
One full double-decker bus can remove up to 75 cars from the road – thus freeing up road space, reducing overall emissions levels and helping to improve air quality.
To achieve the kind of reliability and journey times that make buses more attractive to potential customers, operators need input from politicians and local authorities to free up road space for buses, to deliver bus priority measures and to implement bus friendly policies.
