Bus firm holds car amnesty

Drivers have to register their journey with a hotline

Drivers in Liverpool were being urged to leave their cars at home on Thursday and travel for free on the bus.

Free bus tickets were on offer to car users who registered their daily route with a special hotline set up by the bus firm Arriva.

The one-day car amnesty was set up after the firm joined forces with Eco-Schools, Europe's largest environmental programme for children.

Arriva said it would make a donation to Eco-Schools for each registered car user.

Bob Hind, managing director of Arriva North West and Wales, said: "We are encouraging people to consider whether some of their regular car journeys could just as easily be made by catching the bus.

"While there will always be a place for the car in many people's transport requirements, [there would be] a huge environmental benefit...if people switched from car to bus."

Eco-Schools said it was keen to support the amnesty because it demonstrated "the real alternatives available to car travel".

Those wanting to register their cars should ring 0121 362 4070.