Ticket to ride sees youngsters ‘go anywhere’ with Arriva

Up to half a million young people could literally 'Go Anywhere'on Arriva buses as part of a major national initiative, givingyoungsters access to over 6,000 buses in hundreds of locations.

Arriva bus companies have teamed up with the youth initiativeConnexions Card to offer a free Arriva 'Go Anywhere' ticket as partof the Connexions Card reward scheme.

The Card, which is part of the Government's Connexions Strategy,is designed to encourage more young people to remain in learning.Available to all 16 to19 year-olds in England, over 400,000 youngpeople have a Connexions Card.

By attending school, college or work-based training, youngpeople can earn points every week which can then be redeemed forrewards – including the opportunity to receive a free Arriva 'GoAnywhere' ticket. The Connexions Card also acts as a proof of agecard.

Mike Woodhouse, marketing manager for Arriva Passenger Services,said:

We recognise that many of our customers first use thebus going to school or to college and so we welcomed theopportunity to join the Connexions Card reward scheme. It's a greatopportunity to encourage young people to use public transport andhelp ease congestion.

The Arriva 'Go Anywhere' ticket allows our customers tocombine journeys on Arriva buses in more than one of our regions,or to use Arriva bus services at either end of a journeyintegrating with other modes of travel.

Margaret Harvey, managing director of Connexions Card,commented:

We are very happy that our partnership with Arrivaenables us to offer rewards like this because they are of realvalue to our cardholders and directly support our objective ofencouraging young people to remain in education.

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Notes to editors

• Arriva's 'Go Anywhere' ticket is not available on Arriva bus services in London, special excursion buses such as Dales Bus; Green Line coach services or The Original London Sightseeing Tour. For full details of exemptions, or for timetable and map details for journey planning, customers can access Arriva's website on www.arriva.co.uk.
• The Connexions Card is a unique initiative that offers rewards and incentives to young people as a means of encouraging them to remain in post-16 learning. The project is an important part of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) work to support the Government's aims of increasing levels of participation and attainment in post-16 learning. This also encompasses the Connexions Service, offering advice, guidance and personal development opportunities for 13-19 year olds across England through access to a fully-trained Personal Adviser. More information about the Connexions Service can be found on www.connexions.gov.uk.