Yellow Buses has launched a new green-themed vehicle – a wildlife bus in which passengers can ride with birds, lizards, otters and butterflies.
BCP Council, Bournemouth Parks Foundation and National England supported the Yellows with its latest project.
The bus is decorated with huge photos of wild animals inside and out – with details of where and what to see in the area.
The Wildlife Bus is not the Yellows’ first themed bus to take to the streets; already serving the conurbation are a history bus, poetry bus, gallery bus and AFC Bournemouth bus.
The newest addition to the themed fleet will be operating on all routes and will also attend events.
Inside on the ceiling are pictures of birds, butterflies and dragonflies and there are details about nature reserves and visitor centres that passengers can enjoy.
Cathi Farrer, of Bournemouth Parks Foundation, said: “We want to engage people and get them out into nature and into the parks and reserves.
“There is lots of nature on our doorsteps and we want people to get out and explore it – nature really is just a bus ride away.
“Both Kingfisher Barn and Hengistbury Head Visitor Centres are close by and have free entry.
“And there are many other places in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and east Dorset that people can visit.
“With this moving advertisement for our wildlife we hope to encourage more people to take an interest and visit new places.”
Fiona Harwood, of Yellow Buses, said: “Our previously decorated buses have all been a huge hit, so we wanted to add more to our collection.
“The Wildlife Bus is a collaboration with BCP Council, Bournemouth Parks Foundation and National England.
“The bus will be on different routes and will work as any other service. It will also attend events at which people can get on and have a look around for free.
“As a company we are doing everything we can to be greener and this bus is a part of that.”
About Yellow Buses: Yellow Buses operates a fleet of 140 buses and 16 coaches with more than 410 staff.
The company carries just under 15m passengers a year with its vehicles operating nearly five million miles across the Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset area.
Yellow Buses was acquired by its management team – David Squire, Managing Director; Simon Newport, Commercial Director and Phil Pannell, Service Delivery Director – from RATP Dev in a management buyout in July 2019 for an undisclosed sum.
For more information contact Ed Baker or Andrew Diprose at Deep South Media on 01202 534487 or 07788392965
About Bournemouth Parks Foundation and BCP Council Partnership
Bournemouth Parks Foundation is an independent charitable foundation devoted to enhancing Bournemouth’s parks, gardens and green spaces alongside BCP Council. Established in January 2015 alongside the Council, the charity fundraises for and supports projects in Bournemouth’s local parks.