First Bus Partners With LEEDS 2023 To Promote Sustainable Travel
Pictured are Abigail Scott Paul from LEEDS 2023 and John Godfrey from First Bus
LEEDS 2023 has announced First Bus as a Platinum sponsorship partner for its transformational year of culture, as anticipation mounts ahead of its unmissable opening event at Headingley Stadium this weekend.
To launch the partnership a specially branded, bright pink LEEDS 2023 bus was unveiled this week at the stadium which is set to host ‘The Awakening’ – a concert of performance, words and music that showcases some of the best of Leeds’ culture and will kick-start the cultural programme this Saturday.
The ultra-low emission, branded bus will run on routes throughout Leeds over the next 12 months, spreading awareness of the landmark year which includes twelve major signature projects – original works produced by LEEDS 2023 – as well as hundreds of events and activities where communities, companies and a host of volunteers will come together in an inclusive city-wide celebration.
The partnership aims to encourage the thousands of visitors set to descend on the city over the next 12 months to make sustainable travel choices thanks to more than 200 ultra-low and zero-emission buses on the First Bus network.
John Godfrey, head of marketing for First Bus in West Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to partner this 12-month celebration of cultural events, diversity and attractions across the city. The bus will be used on routes throughout Leeds so we’ll help to get the message into communities.
“Travel for leisure, social and entertainment activities has come back strongly and we’re looking to build on this behaviour and welcome more customers through the year.
“LEEDS 2023 will create opportunities to explore and discover new experiences and we share in the ambition of the organisers to encourage the people of Leeds and visitors to use sustainable travel to get there.”
Around 10,000 people have secured a free ticket to ‘The Awakening’ – which will feature performances by Corinne Bailey-Rae, Simon Armitage, Kadeena Cox OBE, Inder Goldfinger and Graft. First Bus’s sister company, First Travel Solutions, will be running free shuttle busses from Cinder Moor and the City Centre to enable people to travel to and from the event. Visitors to the event can find more details at https://leeds2023.co.uk/whats-on/the-awakening
Abigail Scott Paul, director of external relations and strategic partnerships said: “We’re thrilled to have First Bus on board and can’t wait for everyone to see the fabulous pink bus brightening up the streets of Leeds over the next 12 months.
“We encourage people visiting events to also make sustainable transport choices where possible. Through culture and creativity, we hope to inspire and empower local people and businesses to assume their role in ensuring Leeds is a healthy, thriving city. Now let’s get our year of culture underway!”