24dash.com: Numbers double in green transport scheme

Jam Busting June, the travel scheme to get commuters to swap their cars for greener modes of transport, had twice as many entrants than last year. More than 3,000 people took part, saving 70,000 car miles and CO2 levels were reduced by more than 8.3 tonnes.
The scheme ran throughout Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire during the month of June to encourage motorists to walk, cycle, car share, or catch the bus or train to work instead of driving.

Cllr Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and the strategic environment, said: “The four regional authorities are committed to improving the transport network to make it easier and safer for everyone to get around.

“The Jam Busting June initiative has a critical part to play in showing commuters that they can travel to work in a more sustainable and efficient way.”

The scheme worked by awarding points to commuters for every day they travelled to work without their car. The commuters with the most points were then entered into a prize draw with the chance to win top-of-the-range bicycles, an iPod and lots of other goodies.

A satellite navigation system was also up for grabs for JBJ entrants registering on www.2carshare.com, the car-sharing system supported by the councils.

Anthony Cox works for IOP Publishing, he said: “I think JBJ was an excellent initiative as it focussed attention on how we can all reduce our reliance on the car and so help the environment by reducing congestion, emissions and pollution. I’m delighted to have won the bicycle and look forward to using it to visit places sustainably.”

Another top prize winner, Ale Fernandez of the University of Bristol, said: “I was delighted to win this prize, having entered the Jam Busting June competition simply so that I could keep track of something I believe we should be doing anyway: trying to travel in as ethically and environmentally friendly way as possible in the face of climate change.”

There was also a prize draw for the top performing employers, which was the use of Yeo Valley’s carbon neutral Wills Barn Education Centre, which was won by BBC Bristol.

At the beginning of June, 22% of participants were alone in their car, but during the month this halved to 11%, with commuters ditching their vehicles in favour of the more sustainable options.

The event is supported by many local businesses, which not only encouraged their staff to take part, but also donated prizes.

This year’s three top prizes of bicycles worth £200 each, were given by Urbis, the Highways Agency and InterRoute.

In all, over 240 employers took part, including John Lewis, the MoD, GKN Aerospace, Yeo Valley, Faber Maunsell, WSP, City Car Club, First, Colin Buchanan, BMT Group, Bridges Health and Fitness and Mouchel Parkman.