Rebecca Hitches a Ride with a Difference

A bus trip to Ormskirk proved to be more an event than student Rebecca Hitchmough bargained for, when she was presented with gifts to celebrate being the 100,000th passenger on Edge Hill?s Edge link bus service.

The 19-year-old first year social work studies student, originally from Barrow-in- Furness, was surprised and delighted to accept flowers and wine from Edge Hill?s Transport Manager Dr John Hindley to mark the occasion.

The Edge link bus service has been in operation since September 2004, as part of Edge Hill?s green travel plan to encourage more people to use public transport rather than their cars.

"This bus service is free to staff and students who do not use a car to travel to Edge Hill," said Dr Hindley. "Anyone can use the service that operates six days a week from 8.00am until 5.45pm. It?s been a huge success and offers a quick link from Ormskirk town centre and back, particularly for students resident in Ormskirk."

Edge Hill is one of the first institutions in the area to implement a green travel plan which has become a benchmark for organisations within and outside the education sector. Last year it was recognised with an award from the Association of Commuter Transport, which promotes travel planning nationwide.