Campaigners meet bus drivers in Brighton as part of Better Transport Week

13 June 2023

Better Transport Week, which runs from 12 to 18 June, has been organised by leading transport charity Campaign for Better Transport to celebrate its 50^th year of campaigning for sustainable transport. The week aims to promote the wide range of benefits of public transport, shared mobility, walking and cycling to the public and encourage more people to travel sustainably.

The visit to Brighton marks Better Transport Week’s ‘Bus and Coach Day’ on Tuesday 13 June which aims to celebrate our most used form of public transport. As part of Bus and Coach Day the public are being encouraged to thank their driver, either in person or via Campaign for Better Transport’s website.

Victoria Copeland, from Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Bus drivers do a vital job, connecting communities, busting loneliness, reducing traffic and helping us make millions of journeys. Better Transport Week is all about celebrating the transport that makes our lives, communities and environment better, and we couldn’t do that without saying thank you to brilliant bus drivers!”

Victoria Copeland, Paul Tuohy and Michael Solomon Williams from Campaign for Better Transport will be joined in Brighton by Tom Druitt from Big Lemon Buses, Claire Walters from Bus Users UK and Chris Todd from Transport Action Network (TAN).

Tom Druitt from Big Lemon Buses said: “The Big Lemon is delighted to be taking part in Better Transport Week, and especially excited by the focus on drivers. Drivers are the bedrock of the industry; responsible for not just driving the bus but also providing passengers with the help they need to make the experience as good as it can possibly be. From helping people with their shopping to letting people know when to get off, to dealing with delays, diversions and road traffic accidents and keeping passengers safe and comfortable, bus drivers are real community heroes. At The Big Lemon we are very proud of our drivers and the great service they provide our passengers every day, and it’s wonderful to see them honoured and appreciated.”

Claire Walters from Bus Users said: “Buses are an absolute lifeline for many people. If it weren’t for people using these and other sustainable modes of transport, our roads and city centres would be permanently congested and our air even more polluted. We ALL need buses if we want a cleaner, greener future.”

Chris Todd from Transport Action Network and Brighton resident said: “Buses are an essential part of many people’s lives. They connect people with family, friends, jobs and services, supporting their local economy. Yet despite this we’ve seen cuts to many essential services. If we’re to give people choice and independence and to reduce traffic, we need to invest in more, not less bus services.”

ENDS

Media are invited to attend the photo call at 14:45 on Tuesday 13 June at Big Lemon Bus Depot, Protran House, Boundary Rd, Brighton BN2 5TJ

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 runs from Monday 12 to Sunday 18 June and aims to promote public transport, shared mobility and active travel to mark the transport charity’s 50^th year of campaigning. Tuesday 13 June is Bus and Coach Day, celebrating our most used form of public transport with the public encouraged to thank their driver and share why buses and coaches are important to them. 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 50^th 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.