Bus tickets offer forcity's Car Free Day

FREE bus tickets are up for grabs as York gears up in its battle to cut congestion in a move organisers hope will inspire people to leave their car at home more often and shop regularly in local independent stores.

Travel company First is still looking to give away free bus tickets this week as part of the city’s Car Free Day tomorrow organised by York Council and Friends of the Earth.

First, the area’s largest bus operator, had earmarked 2,000 FirstDay tickets free of charge for the event, but says not all of them have been snapped up yet.

A First spokesman said: “Everyone likes to be given something for nothing and the offer of a free bus ticket is available to use on Wednesday.

“There is a serious message behind the car free day in York and that is all people should try alternative methods of transport to the car to try and take away some of the congestion from York roads.

“Even though a number of tickets have been taken by people keen to follow the event’s slogan ‘Walk It, Bike It, Bus It’, there are still some tickets available.”

Anyone interested in getting a free bus ticket that allows unlimited travel on all First services on Wednesday are urged to go to the website www.firstgroup.com/carfree- york.

Micklegate and Fossgate will be open to pedestrians only from 10.30am to 4.30pm, and shops, restaurants and other businesses are getting into the spirit of the day by offering great deals to people who have left their car at home and come by bus.

Events on the day will include hog roast, street entertainment and activities, and, for those with valid bus tickets, free entry to Micklegate Bar Museum and reduced entry to the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.

Jennie Dodson, of Friends of the Earth said: “This is a great opportunity to support local businesses and will really help those whose trade has been hit by the recent closure of Micklegate due to roadworks.

“The interest and support we’ve had from businesses right across the city has been brilliant.”