News from team #lovemybus
This time last year, #lovemybus was due to roll out nationally after really positive engagement in the pilot, working with a great team at Stagecoach West Scotland. Clearly plans, as for so many, had to pivot as everyone was asked to #StayatHome while our partners in bus coped with the pandemic and continued to provide essential services for all key workers.
Despite such a difficult year, ongoing support and dialogue with companies for the campaign has been hugely valued – with First Bus able to come in as key partners, enabling the #lovemybus campaign to go ahead with the support from Smarter Choices Smarter Places. Instead of encouraging people to choose bus today for all the associated benefits, the campaign broadened to advocate the critical role of bus – as a solution to tackling existing challenges – and critically, at the heart of a just, green recovery.
While the bus sector dealt with immediate challenges, our team promoted the role of bus in future plans, critical to a just transition with an essential role in recovery. This included engagement with the Just Transition Commission, advocating all the solutions bus can provide to national plans for recovery in wider discussions which was picked up in Parliament too.
Meanwhile the evidence, infographics and communications pivoted to promote the role of bus as a solution to a wider audience; for our health, for a fairer Scotland, for our economy and urgently tackling the climate emergency – building on the assets promoting all of the benefits of choosing bus personally from the pilot.
In July, advice to Ministers for a green recovery from the Just Transition Commission included a key focus on bus informed by our early work. Now a fleet of electric buses is being made for COP26 and celebrating new electric fleets, made in Scotland, arriving across the nation in months to come.
We are delighted to welcome Stacey O’Flaherty to the #lovemybus team. Stacey is working alongside Jess, Emma and our amazing team of #lovemybus associates and Champions to promote bus and all the benefits bus brings to a just, green recovery and tackling the climate emergency.
Our Champions represent those who work in bus, so valued for their efforts, especially through the pandemic. Their important insights are into the everyday experience of bus, their customers and the impact of the pandemic. We are excited to be rolling out virtual #lovemybus events, to share an insight and hold wider conversations on bus as a solution for our biggest challenges. Any interested groups can book an event directly with the team here: https://calendly.com/lovemybus
A new website will be launched soon and we hope you can follow all the diverse contributions on twitter, facebook and instagram – please do join the conversation with #lovemybus and let us know if you would like to provide your own blog on why bus is important to you.
