Get on board with bus travel this September
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
