Photos: colourful celebrations mark Better Transport Week

23 June 2023

Better Transport Week set out to celebrate sustainable transport and inspire change, as well as marking Campaign for Better Transport’s 50th anniversary. Colourful photos from events all over the country (see links below) give a flavour of the celebrations. All of these photos can be used by media and many more are available.

On Rail Day, rail leaders gathered with Rail Minister Huw Merriman to launch the week at London’s King’s Cross Station, and Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters joined us at Cardiff Station.

• Photo with Huw Merriman at King’s Cross Station (credit David Mirzoeff)
• Photo with Lee Waters at Cardiff Station (credit Transport for Wales)

Huw Merriman said: “It’s great to be waving the flag for rail – one of the greenest forms of transport – and kickstarting Better Transport Week. As a Government, we recognise our railways will be key to unlocking a more sustainable transport network which is why, amongst many initiatives, we’ve electrified more than 1,200 miles of track in the past decade alone. Over the past 50 years, Campaign for Better Transport has been doing a fantastic job at shining a valuable spotlight on the green transport options already out there and promoting the wide range of benefits of public transport, walking and cycling brings. Here’s to the next 50.”

On Bus Day, bus advocate Emily Turner, who went viral in February this year for travelling on interconnected local bus routes from London to Edinburgh, was thrilled to visit Ash Grove Bus Depot in London to meet and thank bus drivers as part of our ‘thank your bus driver’ action.

• Photo with Emily Turner enjoying her visit to Ash Grove Bus Depot (credit Stagecoach)

Emily Turner said: “I’ve seen bus drivers give people directions to shops or restaurants, explain fare structures and ticket prices and all sorts of things. And those who drive more rural routes, I’ve seen check in with passengers they get to know well, “Oh, do you know if Debbie is getting the bus today? I’ll wait a couple minutes for her…” I encourage everyone to thank their drivers, celebrate buses, and keep campaigning to make bus travel better!”

On Local Transport Day, we held an event in Dudley called ‘Light Years Ahead’ to discuss prospects for light rail in the UK, and best of all, visited the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre, complete with 2.2km test track and light rail simulator. We also held a great roundtable in inspiring Manchester, followed by the chance to try out Brompton Bicycle hire at Manchester Piccadilly Station.

• Photo from ‘Light Years Ahead’ event (no credit needed)
• Photo with Brompton bikes outside Manchester Piccadilly Station (no credit needed)

On Health Day, cyclists and pedestrians gathered at the Strand Aldwych to celebrate the extraordinary changes to this part of London which have made it great for walking, wheeling and cycling, helping to clean the air.

• Photo from the ‘active travel’ celebrations at the Strand Aldwych (credit John Russell)

Finally on Business Day, we launched our ‘Better Transport for Better Business‘ toolkit at the Federation of Small Businesses, and then took to the streets of Westminster with several e-cargo bikes in tow, including colourful electric ice-cream trikes!

• Photo with electric ice-cream trike and barbershop quartet! (credit Devin Ainslie)

More photos from events in Brighton, Norwich, Birmingham and the London Transport Museum are available on request.

Paul Tuohy, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “As the leading national transport charity, what better way to celebrate our 50th year than by bringing together a powerful range of allies to call for transport that is better for people, communities and the environment? The sheer number and range of organisations that are supporting Better Transport Week really shows just how important sustainable transport is to the economy, to the environment and to communities up and down the country. Sustainable transport, whether it’s buses, trains and trams, bikes or shared transport, is ready to take us to a greener future – let’s get on board.”

• Photo of Paul Tuohy with Better Transport Week sign (credit Devin Ainslie)

ENDS

For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• Better Transport Week ran from Monday 12 to Sunday 18 June and aimed to promote public transport, shared mobility and active travel to mark the transport charity’s 50th year of campaigning. For more information visit the Better Transport Week webpage.
• Read the full list of Better Transport Week partners here.
• Campaign for Better Transport was founded as Transport 2000 on 6 February 1973. 2023 marks its 50th year of campaigning for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929) which operates in England and Wales.