Wiltshire Council is celebrating Better Transport Week 2024

Wiltshire Council is celebrating all aspects of sustainable transport for this year’s Better Transport Week.

Better Transport Week 2024 runs from 17 to 23 June and is an annual celebration of transport making our lives better.

When people choose to leave their cars at home and take the bus, train, walk or bike instead, they help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, while reducing carbon emissions – plus, can help people save money and improve their health.

The council has a number of sustainable transport options on offer to help residents choose sustainable transport, including new bus services, on-demand buses, journey planners, road safety education and walking and cycling schemes.

Cllr Tamara Reay, Cabinet Member for Transport and Assets, said: “This annual celebration is a great way to recognize the benefits that sustainable transport provides.

“When people choose to take the bus, train, walk or cycle instead of using their car, they are not only helping the environment, as sustainable transport can also help save money and improve physical well-being and mental of people. I would encourage residents to take advantage of these travel options to explore our beautiful county.

“A key priority in our business plan is to have well-connected and vibrant communities and that’s why we’re celebrating Better Transport Week.

“We are investing in new bus services, including the highly successful Wiltshire Connect on-demand service in Pewsey Vale and new Sunday services in Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge. We are also committed to providing more cycling and walking opportunities through our Local Walking and Cycling Plans (LCWIP).

“We’re proud of what we’ve already achieved in our journey to make the council carbon neutral by 2030, and sustainable transport is part of that.”

In partnership with local bus operators, Wiltshire Council recently introduced two new bus services, the x34 service between Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge, which now operates on Sundays; and D1x, which is a new, more direct service to Bath. The time when concessionary bus passes can be used has also been brought forward to 9am.

In the east of the county, bookable bus service Wiltshire Connect, which operates in the Pewsey Vale and Marlborough areas, is offering fares from just £1 on all journeys booked on Saturdays until the end of June 2024. From 17-22 June, residents will have also the chance to claim a free trip to celebrate Better Transport Week; to take advantage of the offer, simply add promo code BetterT24 to the Wiltshire Connect booking app.