Campaign for Better Transport launches first ever Better Transport Week

Campaign for Better Transport's first ever Better Transport Week gets underway today (12 June) with a week-long celebration of sustainable transport planned to celebrate its 50^th year of campaigning for sustainable transport. 

Better Transport Week, which runs from 12 to 18 June, 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.

Paul Tuohy, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “As the leading national transport charity, what better way to celebrate our 50^th 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. We’ll be using the week to show that 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.”

Better Transport Week is being supported by a large number of organisations including the Department for Transport, local authorities, transport industry, NGOs, businesses and passenger groups.

Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper said: “Better Transport Week is a brilliant way to celebrate the best of our transport and shine a spotlight on all the different ways people can travel sustainably, from electric trains and zero emission buses to cycling and walking.

“That’s why in the past month alone we’ve invested £72 million to improve train services in Manchester and the North West, £200 million to boost active travel, and £500 million to extend the £2 bus fare cap and protect vital routes, as we continue to help people get around affordably, sustainably and with confidence.”

Better Transport Week features a different theme each day with events, competitions, promotions and actions taking place throughout the week:

• Monday (12 June) is rail day with a big public launch of the week at Kings Cross Station in London, attended by rail minister Huw Merriman.
  
  
• Tuesday (13 June) is bus and coach day, celebrating our most used form of public transport, with an event in Nottingham attended by buses minister Richard Holden.
  
  
• On Wednesday (14 June) the week celebrates the local transport we use day in day out with a particular focus on light rail.
  
  
• Thursday (15 June) will highlight how the use of sustainable transport can help clean up our air and improve our health as part of National Clean Air Day.
  
  
• Friday (16 June) focuses on how businesses can reduce their transport emissions and encourage their employees to travel to work more sustainably.
  
  

The weekend sees a two-day celebration of public transport, walking and cycling.

The week also features a number of special offers and discounts from partner organisations and competitions, including the chance to win Eurostar tickets, rail vouchers, bike helmets and more.

For more information see www.bettertransport.org.uk/better-transport-week

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 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.

• Monday 12 June - Rail Day. Celebrating rail as one of the greenest ways to travel, vital to the economy and key to reducing carbon emissions and traffic on our roads. Along with the public launch of the week at Kings Cross Station in London they will also be a rail industry roundtable.
• Tuesday 13 June – 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.
• Wednesday 14 June - Local Transport Day. Celebrating the transport we use day in day out with a transport roundtable in Manchester and a 'Ride to Rail' social media challenge.
• Thursday 15 June – Health Day. Highlighting the health impacts of transport on National Clean Air Day.
• Friday 16 June - Business Day. Focussing on how businesses can reduce their transport emissions and encourage their employees to travel to work more sustainably.
• Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June. Rounding off the week with two days of promotions that aim to celebrate public transport, walking and cycling.

For more information visit: https://bettertransport.org.uk/better-transport-week

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.