The Harrogate Bus Company supports new drive to persuade motorists to leave the car at home on Fridays to cut emissions and clear the air
Harrogate’s leading bus operator, The Harrogate Bus Company, is backing a new initative launching later this week to clear the air across the district with a two for one travel offer on Fridays.
The bus firm which operates the town’s Harrogate Electrics buses is supporting Zero Carbon Harrogate’s ‘Car Free Fridays’ campaign, which begins this Friday (8 October 2021) with an invitation to sign up online to a pledge to leave the car at home at least one day per week – and to encourage motorists to make the switch, two people can travel together using one Harrogate 1 day ticket on Car Free Fridays.
Zero Carbon Harrogate brings together a group of residents across the Harrogate District to support a low-carbon sustainable economy, with the aim of making the area a net zero carbon community by 2030.
The campaigners say cars and the congestion they cause are one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, making up 49 per cent of total emissions in Harrogate District – a figure which places Harrogate 28 per cent above the national average.
With world leaders due to meet in Glasgow at the end of this month for COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, local campaigners hope increased focus on the impact of carbon emissions will persuade more people in Harrogate to leave their cars behind on Fridays.
The Harrogate Bus Company CEO Alex Hornby said: “It’s vital that as a community we do all we can to reduce carbon emissions. I’m proud to be part of the district’s Climate Change Coalition Board, as we work together to find sustainable answers to the growing issue of air pollution where we live.
“Our proposals to fully convert our bus fleet to zero-emission electric power in the coming years will make a significant contribution, but right now we can all do our bit to drive down carbon emissions simply by signing up to the campaign pledge to leave the car at home for just one day a week.
“As well as the benefit to our local environment, choosing the bus makes sense in lots more ways – it’s a lot less stressful than driving, and with a full day’s travel anywhere for two people travelling together within Harrogate, Knaresborough, Wetherby and as far as Harewood and Ripley on the 36 at only £4.70 on Car Free Fridays, it’s a lot cheaper than driving into town and paying for parking.”
Zero Carbon Harrogate Chair Jemima Parker said: “We are delighted to be launching the Car Free Fridays initiative on Friday, with the support of The Harrogate Bus Company, Harrogate Borough Council and Bettys and Taylors.
“Carbon emissions from travel make up a big chunk of the District’s emissions, so every journey where we can leave the car at home is a win for our positive climate action. We’re encouraging local residents to have a day a week where they work from home or use a different mode of transport to get to work, school or the shops.
“As well as giving much needed carbon emissions reductions, Car Free Fridays can help to improve local air quality and therefore health. Walking, using a scooter or bike can also help us with our physical and mental health and the bus is a very sociable option.
“We’d love everyone to go the Zero Carbon Harrogate pledge page to sign up for Car Free Fridays at www.zerocarbonharrogate.org.uk/carfreefridays. There are always going to be some people who need to use the car for some journeys, but most of us can pick up the Car Free Fridays habit and start the weekends knowing we have done the planet and our neighbours a favour.”
The ‘Car Free Fridays’ campaign launches this Friday as part of the Harrogate Climate Action Festival, a programme of events this month co-ordinated by the Harrogate Climate Change Coalition to tackle climate change in the lead-up to the UK hosting the COP26 conference. Details of Festival events are online at: https://www.hdccc.info.
Two people can travel on Car Free Fridays using one Harrogate 1 day ticket available at £4.70 from bus drivers, and on the free to download Transdev Go mobile app.
All services provided by The Harrogate Bus Company in and around Harrogate, including maps, timetables and ticket information, are on the app and online at: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/harrogate.
The Harrogate Bus Company operates local bus routes in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Wetherby and Ripon as well further afield, linking the area with Leeds, York, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge.
Full details of all The Harrogate Bus Company’s services are online at: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/harrogate and via its free Transdev Go mobile app.
Parent company Transdev is one of the largest public transport operators in Europe, with a reputation for delivering high quality public transport. Visit: https://www.transdev.com for details of all Transdev services in the UK and Europe.
