'Birthday Bus' scheme extended - with under-21s offered two months of free travel
More of us are able to get free bus travel across the West of England - as Dan Norris' 'Birthday Bus' scheme is extended
Last updated 28th Oct 2024
It's been more than a year since Metro Mayor Dan Norris said 'many happy returns... and singles too' to the people of the West Country - and now, more of us than ever are able to get free bus travel over the course of our birthday.
Today (28 October), the mayor, who is now the Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, has announced an extension to the scheme, which is reported to have cost £8 million, when it launched in 2023.
This time around, those aged 21 and under can now ride for free for even longer. If you fit into that age bracket, you'll get the pass for the month of your birthday and the following month too.
It all came about as part of Norris' plan to reduce levels of congestion on our region's streets, as it's claimed the the issue costs our region's economy by £300 million a year.
It's also part of WECA's plans to make the West of England a net zero carbon region by 2030.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris previously said: "It does cost money, of course, because nothing is free in this world, but I think the cost of not doing something, with a climate emergency and a cost of living crisis, I think the costs of that is even higher.
"This is an innovative and new way of trying to find a new way of moving forward with the challenges of our age.
"We want behaviour change so that people do use public transport. So, whether it's a train that floats your boat, or using a bus, or cycling, e-scootering or even walking, we're trying to attract people to change their behaviour.
"If we can make this work, then other people will follow - and that can only be a good thing for our planet. The way things are currently looking, the future doesn't look too good. We've got to come up with innovative and new ideas - and that's exactly what this initiative is all about."
Read more: "Birthday Bus" scheme launches across West Country
According to Mr Norris, 300 early deaths a year are linked to pollution locally, and 44% of carbon emissions come from transport.
You can order your free birthday bus pass on the official website.