Get on board with bus travel this September

Durham County Council Cabinet member Cllr Stephen Gray, sixth from right, with members of the public and representatives from the council’s travel team, Weardale Travel and Arriva. 

Residents are being encouraged to take advantage of discount bus fares in County Durham as part of a nationwide campaign to promote bus travel.

This September, Durham County Council is backing Catch the Bus Month, a campaign that celebrates the contribution buses make to the economy, as well as reducing congestion and air pollution.

In County Durham, residents and visitors can benefit from a range of discount fares, subsidised by the North East Combined Authority (NECA), of which the council is a partner.

These include the £5 Durham Day Rover ticket, which allows people to hop on and off bus services run by any operator in the county on the same day. Young people aged 21 and under can take advantage of Get Round for £1 single fares, as well as £3 day tickets, which allow unlimited travel across the region. All single fare for all bus users are capped at £2.50.

Many attractions in the region also offer discounts to visitors who travel by public transport as part of the Car Free Days Out scheme.

Durham County Council launched Catch the Bus Month by bringing together representatives from two of the county’s bus operators – Arriva and Weardale Travel – in Bishop Auckland Market Place. Bishop Auckland will soon be home to a new bus station, which is due to open early next year as part of the wider regeneration of the town.

The council’s travel team will also be out and about across the county raising awareness of Catch the Bus Month, including running pop up stands at Locomotion in Shildon on Wednesday 10 September; Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens on Wednesday 17 September; and at an information event organised by Karbon Homes at Bullion Hall in Chester-le-Street on Monday 22 September. They will also be attending a meeting of Shildon Children and Young People Access Network to promote Get Round for £1.

Durham County Council Cabinet member Cllr Stephen Gray said: “We recognise the important role buses play in connecting our communities.

“They also boost the economy by bringing people into our towns and villages and help to improve the local environment by reducing congestion and air pollution.

“This September, we’re working with our partners at NECA and with bus operators across the region to raise awareness of these vital services and some of the great value fare options available.

“Catch the Bus Month isn’t just about riding the bus, it’s about driving change, and we are proud to be supporting it.”

For more information about bus travel, ticket options, discounts and Car Free Days Out in County Durham, visit www.durham.gov.uk/CountyDurhamByBus.

Catch the Bus Month is organised by Bus Users UK, a charity that champions the rights of bus and coach users. To find out more, visit www.bususers.org/catchthebusmonth