Got a birthday coming up in December, and live in Bath? Then don’t forget to apply for your free Birthday Bus Month Pass to enjoy the winter season in style.
“Birthday Buses” is residents’ ticket to unlimited free bus and WESTlink journeys across the West’s 350-plus square mile network in the month of their birthday, courtesy of the West of England Mayor Dan Norris.
Locals with December birthdays need to apply at least 7 days before 1 December to enjoy free travel for the whole month – which is next Friday 24 November.
Mayor Dan Norris said: “It turns out Santa isn’t the only one who brings gifts. I’m proud of Birthday Buses. It’s a serious plan to grow passenger numbers in Bath. Because if people try our buses, I think they might like them. It’s also great for your wallet, and the planet!
“The good thing for those with December birthdays is that there’s loads going on right across the region they can travel to for free. I know many of you in Bath have done so already, but for those who haven’t – get applying! Head to www.birthdaybus.co.uk today.”
Through Birthday Buses, the West of England Mayor wants to help residents in the cost-of-living crisis, and get more people using buses to help take polluting diesel and petrol cars off our streets.
Residents with a birthday next month can still apply in December, right up to the 15th, and get a Birthday Month Bus Pass for the rest of the month.
Places to visit in December with your Birthday Bus Month Pass:
- Hunt for unique gifts at Bath Christmas Market
- Get your skates on at Bath on Ice in Royal Victoria Park
- Explore Christmases of old at No1 Royal Crescent
While any measure that encourages people to use public transport to travel rather than private vehicles is to be welcomed, the “birthday bus” initiative will do little to attract new users in the long term. As for the Westlink, it is so limited in availability and areas covered, not to mention the fact that you can’t book a return trip, as to be virtually useless.
The metro mayor should focus his attention on providing or maintaining regular services to rural communities whose bus routes have been curtailed or withdrawn, effectively forcing people to use private transport or taxis if they can afford them.
Just a note to thank you for your e-mails. They keep me up-to-date in what’s happening in Bath – actually better than the local press!
I feel a bit discriminated against as my birthday is in February, so my bus pass lasts for fewer days than other people’s!
The bus I’d really welcome is a later one to/from Bristol’s Park and Rides. Oxford’s Park and Rides run buses until midnight.