Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel are urging drivers to leave their vehicles at home twice a month to celebrate Earth Day today.

Drivers make about 600 car journeys annually. Switching one in every 25 journeys to a bus would reduce the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions by two million tonnes.

This is in line with the UK government target for a reduction in 68% greenhouse gases by the end of the decade, and the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation of shifting from private cars to buses.

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Saving two million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions is equivalent to the environmental gain that would be made by switching every single one of the UK’s buses from diesel to zero emission energy sources, such as electricity or hydrogen.

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel managing director said: “Earth Day encourages us to think how we, as individuals, can reduce our negative impact on the world.

"Taking public transport is not only a great environmental option; it is the ethical option.

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“If everyone switched to the bus a couple of times a month, we could collectively rebuild our communities and avoid a car-based recovery from the pandemic.

"It would help improve air quality in our communities and reduce congestion.”