BUSINESSES are being urged to sign up to a scheme that offers discounted bus travel for employees. 

Morebus is working with BCP Council and businesses to encourage more workers to opt for sustainable transport.   

The Poole-based bus operator is introducing a special ‘Commuter Club’, which offers employees of participating companies discounted bus travel across the region.  

A normal bus ticket is currently £2, but membership would see that halved to £1 per journey. 

“According to Fuel Genie, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is the third most congested area of the UK - surpassed only by Edinburgh and London,” said Morebus head of communications, Nikki Honer. 

“With the knowledge that just one fully loaded double decker bus has the potential to take up to 75 cars of the road, we’re determined to help ease the traffic here.  

“During the last year we have invested around £16.25m in 55 new double decker buses for our fleet, replacing single deckers, to provide more room for passengers. 

“We are encouraging employees of local businesses to leave their cars at home and travel with us instead.” 

The Commuter Club is partly funded through BCP Council from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).  

Employers can sign up to the scheme, which involves a “modest” annual membership fee depending on the number of employees at the company.  

“In return, workers will benefit from £1 bus tickets, which can be bought in bundles of 20,” Nikki added. 

“Initially up to five bundles can be purchased with further bundles offering a saving of 20 per cent on full-priced tickets. 

“These multi-trip bundles can be used as single tickets at any time within Morebus’ zone A, which reflects the BCP boundary and are valid for 12 months.   

“With more people now working part-time or within a hybrid working week, we expect this initiative to be well-received by all those who work for participating companies.  

“The obvious advantages are, of course, cheaper commuting costs - but also the health benefits of taking extra exercise by walking before or after the bus trip.  

“We’re looking forward to working with local businesses and to welcoming more people on-board through our new Commuter Club over the coming months.” 

For those who are not members of Morebus’ commuter club, the £2 fare cap for single journeys, part of the Government’s Help for Households initiative, is still in place until at least December 31. 

BCP Council’s cabinet member for the environment Andy Hadley added: “We are keen to encourage commuters into the bus to help cut congestion at peak time. 

“This ticket offer provides a flexible solution at a bargain starting price of just £1 per journey. We would encourage companies to get involved, and everyone to give the bus a try.” 

For further information about the commuter club, visit morebus.co.uk.