Car free day comes to Rugby
International In Town Without My Car Day is this year coming to Rugby and on Friday, September 22, 200 of the town’s residents are being offered free bus travel for the following day when leaving their cars at home.
Events are taking place on Thursday 21st September to celebrate and promote the following day’s international car free day.
Rugby citizens who visit the area by the clock tower on the 21st will be able enjoy live music, unicycling, juggling, pedalling a smoothie, static bike racing and can find out about bus services and cycling routes.
And 200 people who normally travel into Rugby by car will also have the opportunity to try a free Stagecoach bus ticket for Friday 22nd September.
Warwickshire County Council and Rugby Borough Councils are organising the event with the help of Stagecoach to try and tempt people out of their cars.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Many people don’t feel they have another option for travelling into town and just reach for their car keys. Travelling by bus lets people relax and let the world go by instead of concentrating on the worries and stresses of driving which are especially bad at peak times.”
Travelling by bus can also save people a huge amount of money. People who often cycle or travel by bus save hundreds of pounds each year. And it’s not only money they are saving as people who travel by bus or cycle to work once a week can feel proud that they are significantly reducing air pollution in the centre of town.
Those people who do choose to cycle into Rugby won’t be left out of this year’s event as they’ll be able to claim a free water bottle and fair-trade energy bar on the 21st while having a free bike check from Dr Bike provided by Thorntons Cycle Centre.
Rugby’s Mayor, Cllr Tina Avis, said: "I am delighted that more people than ever are choosing to travel on public transport or cycle into Rugby Town Centre. People who are over 60 or disabled are able to travel free of charge on buses using the Gold Pass introduced by the Borough. I am and always have been a solid supporter of public transport and this event on the 21st will give more people who would not normally catch the bus, the opportunity to try it for free.”