South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is launching the UK’s first ‘green money’ Carbon Quids on Monday 3 September.
The unique currency is being introduced as part of European Mobility Week (16 - 22 September 2007) to reward people for using ‘better travel choices’. The aim is to encourage people to use public transport, walk, cycle or car share.
From 10 – 22 September (two week period) anyone who makes a journey using sustainable travel will be rewarded with Carbon Quids.
The Quids can be exchanged for a wide range of prizes including gym membership, free travel, trees and a bike. The more people change their behaviour the more ‘Carbon Quids’ they can earn.
The prizes can be redeemed at one of four Carbon Cash In points, which are being held in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley town centres on Saturday 22 September. Details of these will be published next week.
Roy Wicks, Director General at SYPTE said: “Introducing a green currency is an innovative concept and I am delighted that South Yorkshire is leading the way. Our aim is to encourage more people to think about how they travel and how their behaviour affects the environment.
“It is all about bringing people, communities and towns together to think about all our futures and how we can all make a difference through better travel choices. Even local businesses have got on board to support us by donating a range of prizes.
“We understand that people will not stop using cars, however by catching the bus to work once a week, or walking to the shop, everyone can do their bit for the environment."
Over the last week black footprints have appeared in shopping centres and many Community Access Points such as Post Offices and local shops without any explanation.
As people get involved in the campaign the black footprints will start to disappear and green footprints will appear representing changes in people's behaviour.
Businesses can show they are a supporter of sustainable transport by sticking a free Carbon Quid green footprint in their window.
People can collect Cabon Quids in the following way:
• public transport – passengers will have to save their bus, tram and local train tickets during the two week period and take them to any of the four Carbon Cash In points on Saturday 22 September. People who use travel tickets or who have a concessionary pass must take that with them to the cash ins.
• a single bus, train, tram journey = 5 Quids
• a return bus, train, tram journey = 10 Quids
• a day travel ticket of any kind = 10 Quids
• a weekly public transport ticket = 50 Quids
• a monthly public transport ticket = 130 Quids
• sign up for car sharing – 30 Quids
• walking/cycling - people who walk or cycle to work will need to fill in a diary of their travel experiences to claim their Carbon Quids. Like the tickets, the travel diaries will be swapped for reward bags at the Carbon Cash In points. Travel diaries will be printed on leaflets available from information centres, Community Access Points or downloaded, alternatively people can call Traveline on 01709 51 51 51.
Anyone walking and cycling will receive = 10 Quids per day.
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• car sharing - people car sharing will need to log onto the car share website. People who sign up for car sharing will be emailed a voucher worth 30 Quids.