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Swindon Travel Choices

Swindon Travel Choices aims to make it easier for those living or working in
Swindon to get around without clogging up the road network. We believe that by
giving people proper travel choices, many everyday journeys can be made by
bus, bike and foot rather than by car.

Wifi for more buses soon Share a lift, share a

The free wifi on laugh, share the cost
Thamesdown Transport’s

routes 11, 12 and 15 has Liftshare Week takes place between 6 and

proved so popular that 10 October and is a gigantic pat on the
Swindon Travel Choices back for all those brilliant people who car-share already and an
and the bus operator plan opportunity for those thinking about it to give it a try.
to roll it out onto more Swindon’s members tell us that car-sharing has changed their
routes over the winter. life: it saves them money, it helps the environment, brings
A survey of wifi users in communities together and takes cars off our busy roads.
2013 found that 83% of So if you’re already doing it, then this is your chance to bask in
respondents were using the bus more since the introduction the glory and spread the word. If you haven’t tried car-sharing
of the free wifi service. The majority used the wifi to browse yet, then we want to help you take the first step and give it a try.
social media and the web, whilst 1% claimed to use it to check
work emails. There are thousands of empty car seats available to share on
www.carshareswindon.com every day,
Paul Jenkins, managing director of Thamesdown, said: “Wifi so there’s bound to be someone passing
has been a very positive addition to the buses and we’re your door.
pleased that it is encouraging people to take public transport
more often. Thanks to the continued funding through Swindon Sharing a lift not only saves money, it
Travel Choices, we are looking forward to providing the can set you up in a good mood for the
technology on buses running on several more routes.” rest of your day.

Active Swindon Challenge a huge success

The Active Swindon Challenge finished at the end of August with over 1000 people taking part. The challenge ran from the end
of May, but people could sign up and join in at any time. The website www.activeswindonchallenge.org.uk enabled people to log
journeys made by bus, rail, walking, cycling or car sharing, in order to gain points. Points led to medals, and prizes were distributed
throughout the challenge.
Over the 15 weeks of the challenge, more than 210,000 miles were travelled sustainably, with over 20,000 calories burnt and
84,000kg of carbon dioxide saved. There were personal successes, such as Matthew, who started walking to work instead of
driving and now saves over £60 a week.
Although the challenge has ended for 2014, the website will still be available and users can set their own goals going forward.
There will also be a new challenge for 2015, so watch this space!

NEW Free bike maintenance courses on offer

Keeping your bike in good working order keeps you safe and makes it easier to ride. Since
Swindon Travel Choices set up a series of day-long basic bike maintenance courses with the
Mobile Cycle Medic in 2013, over 50 courses have taken place, with superb feedback from
participants.
We are running more FREE day courses in the autumn, with priority given to residents living in
Central and East Swindon. However, all Swindon residents may apply for the surplus places.
Courses take place on: They start at 9.30am and finish at 4.30pm.
27 September, See the course description and venues at
11October, www.mobilecyclemedic.com
25 October, To apply for a place, simply email:
8 November, [email protected]
22 November, stating the date of the course you wish
29 November. to attend.

Keep in touch with the latest Swindon Travel Choices news, events and initiatives
by subscribing to our e-mail newsletter via: www.swindontravelchoices.org.uk

Swindontravelchoices @Swindon_Travel

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