The Environment & Infrastructure Committee announced on Tuesday that buses would be free to support Car Free Day. It said it hoped this would give people ‘a feel for how getting the bus more regularly could benefit them’.
But few people spoken to by the Guernsey Press yesterday were aware of the move, with pensioners already enjoying permanently free travel.
Theresa Mahy was travelling to St Peter Port from Vazon.
‘When I got on, the driver said it was free today, but I had no idea beforehand. I got on with five other people, and not one of us knew it was free.’
Fellow commuter Jake Trott, who travels to work every day in St Peter Port, was also unaware travel was free before he boarded his bus.
‘I use the bus most days, and I had no idea it was free until I got on,’ he said.
‘The bus didn’t seem any busier than normal, they should have had a sign up in the bus this week letting people know, but I haven’t seen anything.’
Brenda and David Adams have been touring the island on a 10-day holiday and have been using the buses to travel everyday.
Mrs Adams said: ‘David got his credit card out and the driver said it was free. We’ve been on the buses all week and have seen nothing to say this was happening today.’
Despite not knowing about the offer of free travel the Adams were impressed with the service they had received.
‘The bus service here is exceptionally good value compared to the UK. We’ve been catching the buses everyday and they are really reliable, every one has been on time.’
Fellow tourists Margot and Bess Woodworth and their cousin Martha Honeywell, who were visiting from the United States and waiting at the terminus for a bus to Rousse, had never heard of World Car Free Day. But they were pleasantly surprised their visit coincided with free bus travel.
‘I’ve never heard of it, I don’t think we have it in the States,’ said Ms Honeywell. ‘We only arrived yesterday and are using the buses to get to the start of a walk. I do think it’s a great idea.’
Those that were aware it was free to travel had read about the offer in the Guernsey Press.
Kelly Prigent and her two-year-old son Joe use the bus every day for the school run.
‘I was travelling anyway but I knew it was free because I’d seen it in the Guernsey Press. I think it’s great to encourage people to get on the bus and out of their cars.’
