Catch The Bus Month celebrations kick off across the region

Buses old and new are being wheeled out for a series of roadshows to help celebrate Catch the Bus Month in the West Midlands.

A vintage bus, from Aston Manor Transport Museum and the National Express West Midlands bus driver training simulator will be the star attractions as the roadshow pulls into Wednesbury Bus Station on Friday, 20^th September.

The latest in bus technology will be on display with a brand new electric double decker bus driving onto Broadgate in Coventry on Friday 27^th September.

Representative from LandFlight alongside Stephen Holloway from TfWM, at CTBM’s Solihull event on Friday, 9th September

There are prizes on offer at the roadshows and fun activities as well as advice for people about their local bus services and anyone is welcome to come along and find out more. Shoppers in Solihull town centre were the first to enjoy the roadshow earlier this month.

At the same time Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has launched a region wide You’re Bussing It promotional campaign to encourage more people to use the bus.

The campaign highlights how the bus is an affordable and green way to get around and can help reduce traffic congestion on our roads.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “With millions of journeys taken every week buses are the backbone of our public transport network which is why we are celebrating them during Catch The Bus Month. I encourage more people to give the bus a go – especially those who have not tried for few years.

“Reform of our bus services is a key priority for me, I want to take back control to make sure our bus services are more affordable and reliable and design a network which better serves our communities.”

Claire Walters, chief executive of Bus Users UK the charity behind Catch the Bus Month said: “Buses are a lifeline for millions, which is why we need to continue to promote this affordable, sustainable mode of transport, it’s great to see Transport for West Midlands celebrating these vital services and encouraging more people to get on board.”

The roadshows are:

• Wednesbury Bus Station – Friday 20th September, between 11am and 3pm. Attendees could experience a National Express West Midlands bus driver simulator, see a vintage bus from the Aston Manor Transport Museum, listen to music from Rhythmic Songbirds Community Choir, and be in with a chance of winning prizes at the TfWM marquee.
• Broadgate, Coventry – Friday 27th September, between 10am and 4pm – As the finale event, there will be a soundstage and safecracker game provided by Dicky Dodd, visitors can see the latest in bus technology with a brand new electric double decker bus on display, as well as visit the TfWM marquee, and chat to Claire Walters, chief executive of Bus Users UK who will be at this event.

To find out more about Catch the Bus Month visit www.bususers.org/catchthebusmonth or email catchthebus@bususers.org