Bus subsidy provides helping hand in challenging times
A pilot scheme between the University and Stagecoach to give staff and students a 75% discount on bus travel saved more than £700,000 in its first 12 months and reduced the carbon footprint of travellers by 614 tonnes of CO2e.
The University invested in the substantial subsidy to help students and staff travel to and from work and study, ease pressure on household budgets, cut congestion in St Andrews, and help meet its ambitious target to be Net Zero by 2035.
Described as “life-changing” and “the best thing ever”, the discount is used, on average, by 1500 staff and students (those not already entitled to the Scottish Government’s free bus travel for the under-22’s scheme) per month. Tickets can also be used in evenings and at weekends, providing a welcome helping hand in challenging times.
The initiative has reduced the University’s carbon footprint by 614 tonnes of CO2e – the equivalent of 1616 return flights from Edinburgh to London – in its first year.* Taking the bus instead of travelling by car has resulted in staff and students cutting their own footprint for each journey by 37%.
Chief Operating Officer Derek Watson said: “The bus subsidy was just one in a series of initiatives launched by the University to support our students and staff through the cost-of-living crisis. Since then, we’ve seen upwards of 2000 people, mostly staff, using the bus discount every month, and the feedback is that it’s significantly helped cut costs in these challenging times.
“As well as financial benefits, we’ve also seen a welcome reduction in the carbon footprint of those travelling to work, usually by car, that exceeds all our expectations.”
Stagecoach East Scotland’s Head of Commercial, Scott Hall, added: “It’s been amazing to see this trial scheme develop into the success it is today with such a huge carbon reduction because of people leaving their cars at home and using our services to get to work or study. This positive partnership approach has clearly demonstrated strong results and massive savings for those signed up and we’re pleased to be able to support another operator, Moffat & Williamson, in providing discounted tickets too.”
*Calculate flight emissions – flight CO2 calculator | myclimate