A partnership between Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Morebus has been recognised nationally by the Department for Transport as an example of best practice.
The collaboration was highlighted in the Department for Transport’s Enhanced Partnership Manual, following the success of initiatives such as the ‘It’s Free to Go by Bus’ campaign and the Commuter Club.
The ‘It’s Free to Go by Bus’ campaign, launched in August 2023, aimed to encourage older and disabled residents to use local bus services more frequently after a significant drop in concessionary journeys.
The campaign promoted the benefits of free bus travel and included a dedicated helpline, which increased awareness and community engagement.
The Commuter Club, another joint initiative, was designed to encourage more people to travel to work by bus and help reduce congestion in Bournemouth.
Over 50 businesses have joined, with more than 55,000 discounted journeys taken in the first year.
Sai Krishna Kodumri, a local resident, said the scheme has been “absolutely fantastic and incredibly helpful, particularly for lower-income staff.”
Improvements to bus stop safety, including upgraded shelters, CCTV at 250 stops, and dedicated safety officers, have also contributed to increased passenger satisfaction and reduced anti-social behaviour across the network.
