Great Western Coffee Shop

The West of England Combined Authority have announced that bus users can apply for a pass valid for free bus travel in the WECA area during the month of their birthday. The scheme starts on 1st July 2023.

WECA covers Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Anyone living in those areas can apply for the pass for the month of their birthday, by providing proof of address and date of birth. A 'Birthday Bus' website is due to go live soon.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-65690176

What a fun idea to promote bus travel. Although I suppose the cakes in the photo do not actually come with the pass.

A scrutiny report for WECA concludes that the scheme has benefited the better off more than less well off.
Other aspects of the Metro Mayor's bus initiatives are also questioned. 

I suppose there's always some element of trial and error with new initiatives and it remains to be seen what's going to be changed and what's to be abandoned.

The Beeb's report on it below:


https://www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-68068983.amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQGsAEggAID#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17064711141357&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com