Let’s freshen up Fridays! The Harrogate Bus Company backs ‘car free Friday’ drive to clear the air with two for one travel deal

Harrogate’s leading bus operator supports Zero Carbon Harrogate’s bid to persuade motorists to leave the car at home on Fridays to cut carbon emissions

Harrogate’s leading bus operator, The Harrogate Bus Company, is offering a popular two-for-one travel deal to support a new initiative to clear the air across the district with a two for one travel offer on Fridays.

The bus firm which operates the town’s zero-emission Harrogate Electrics buses is supporting Zero Carbon Harrogate as it prepares to relaunch its ‘Car Free Fridays’ campaign on Friday, 20 October, in response to renewed rises in emissions and congestion on the town’s roads following the pandemic.

Zero Carbon Harrogate is inviting motorists to sign up online to a pledge to leave their cars at home at least one day per week – and to encourage motorists to make the switch, two people can now travel together using one Harrogate 1 day ticket on Fridays.

The incentive is also being welcomed by North Yorkshire Council as a positive step to ease congestion and clear the air on Fridays – traditionally one of the busiest days of the week on Harrogate’s roads.

The Harrogate Bus Company’s Commercial Director Paul Turner said: “It’s very important that as a community we continue to do all we can to reduce carbon emissions.

“Our £21 million order for 39 new buses to fully convert our Harrogate fleet to zero-emission electric power next year 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 £5.70 on Car Free Fridays, it’s a lot cheaper than driving into town and paying for parking.”

A registered charity which brings together residents across the Harrogate District, Zero Carbon Harrogate is working to support a low-carbon sustainable economy, with the aim of making the area a net zero carbon community by 2030.

Cars make up an estimated 49 per cent of total emissions in Harrogate District – a percentage that remained almost static over the 10 years prior to the pandemic, while emissions produced by generating power for homes fell by 26.5 per cent over the same period.

Zero Carbon Harrogate Chair Jemima Parker said: “We are delighted that The Harrogate Bus Company is once again offering two for one travel on Fridays to support our renewed Car Free Fridays campaign. We all know congestion has returned to Harrogate’s roads following the pandemic – and cars are one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in our town.

“That’s why we are bringing back our Car Free Fridays campaign, and inviting drivers to sign a pledge to leave the car at home. Doing so will improve air quality for everyone, while walking to the bus stop can also boost our own physical and mental health.

“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 look forward to the weekend knowing we’ve done our bit for our neighbours, our town and the planet.”

Two people can travel on Car Free Fridays using one Harrogate 1 day ticket available at £5.70 from bus drivers, and on the free to download Transdev Go mobile app.

The ‘Car Free Fridays’ campaign launches officially this Friday, 20 October – full details are online at: zerocarbonharrogate.org.uk/carfreefridays.