Bus operator First Cymru is encouraging people to get on board this week during the UK’s fourth annual Catch the Bus week (4-10 July).

First Cymru is holding a special event during Catch the Bus Week.  On Friday 8 July, between 9am and 3pm, managers, bus drivers and safety representatives from First Cymru will be on hand in the Quadrant Bus Station in Swansea to talk to customers about how to catch the bus and stay safe while on board.  Having partnered with Age Cymru Swansea Bay for the event, First Cymru staff will also be explaining how to use the company’s website – finding useful timetable and service disruption information – while representatives from Age Cymru Swansea Bay use the event to talk to older people about how to stay safe while using the internet.

In addition to these activities, those with mobility scooters wishing to use their scooters on the bus, who are not already in possession of CPT Mobility Scooter permit to travel, will also be able to use the event on Friday 8 July to request a scooter assessment is completed there and then.

Mike Gibbons, Safety Manager for First Cymru and organiser of the company’s Catch the Bus Week activity, says: “We’re thrilled to be taking part in Catch the Bus week. We’ll have a team of people out on Friday 8 July to talk to our customers about our local services, and how to make the best use of them.  A fair proportion of those people using the bus are older too and so the association with Age Cymru Swansea Bay is a mutually beneficial one. They will be offering tips on how to be internet savvy and to compliment this we’ll be explaining how people can get the most out of our own website. We hope people will find it a useful event.”

Nicola Russell-Brooks, CEO, Age Cymru Swansea Bay, says: “Many older people rely on public transport to get out and about in their communities. We know that the buses in Swansea are hugely important to local older people and can really help to enhance their lives. We are pleased to be working with First Cymru to ensure that bus services in Swansea continue to meet the needs of local older people.”  

Now in its third year, Catch the Bus week is a UK wide campaign aimed at driving awareness of the benefits of taking the bus. This year the campaign runs from 4 -10 July and there will be events, ticket offers and other activities taking place across the UK, with bus companies, local authorities and passenger groups involved. For more information about Catch the Bus week log onto www.catchthebusweek.co.uk.

For more information about First Cymru log onto: www.firstgroup.com/cymru.