Transport Minister Rosie Winterton was in Doncaster on Friday (18 January) to present prizes and congratulate the lucky winners of a school competition to promote public transport in South Yorkshire.
The competition was run by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), the driving force behind public transport in the area. Thousands of entries were received and winners were chosen from schools in Doncaster, Barnsley, Sheffield and Rotherham.
Local primary schools were asked to design a poster encouraging more people to use public transport and reduce air pollution. Secondary schools were asked to answer a series of questions after watching a DVD about the importance of using public transport responsibly.
The 10 most creative and imaginative entries from junior schools were presented with a 1GB iPod Shuffle. Their winning designs will also be displayed on buses at interchanges throughout South Yorkshire.
One secondary school winner received two tickets to Wembley Stadium to watch England versus Switzerland on 6 Feb, courtesy of National Express, which is also providing free travel to and from the event. Six secondary school runners up were presented with an iPod Shuffle.
Rosie Winterton said:
"Promoting public transport is essential if we are to cut congestion and pollution. As well as raising awareness of these issues, this initiative is also aimed at preparing pupils for the world of public transport from an early age, whether it’s buses, trains or trams and encourages them to use public transport safely and appropriately."
"I was very impressed with the standard of the poster entries and was pleased to see that so many schools in South Yorkshire have taken this message to heart."
Roy Wicks, Director General of SYPTE said:
"The aim of the competition was to encourage young people to think about using public transport safely and we were delighted with the high standard of entries we have received.
"A lot of children use public transport for the first time when they go to secondary school and understandably, it can be a daunting experience. Travel South Yorkshire Travel Advisors work in schools to prepare young people for this transition, giving them all the confidence, practical information and tools they need to use buses, trains and trams in South Yorkshire."
Junior Competition
Junior schools in South Yorkshire were invited to participate in a poster competition, encouraging more people to use public transport and reduce air pollution. The competition was open to all Yr 6 pupils (10 and 11 year olds) and 10 pupils were presented with a 1GB iPod Shuffle. The winning posters will be displayed on buses and at interchanges throughout South Yorkshire.
The following pupils received a 1GB iPod Shuffle:
Ellie Hall - Bessacarr Primary, Doncaster
Liam Harrison - Auckley Junior, Doncaster
Kelsey Kennedy - Hexthorpe Primary, Doncaster
Ashton Walker - Athersley North Primary, Barnsley
Chantelle Mahyar - Holy Rood Catholic Primary, Barnsley
Bethany Johnson - Greengate Lane Primary, Sheffield
Bessie Sorsby - Halfway Junior, Sheffield
Lucy Richards - Concord Junior, Rotherham
Sacha Le Brun - St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, Sheffield
Patrick Wimbolt - Treeton C of E Primary, Rotherham
Secondary Competition
Secondary schools were asked to answer a series of questions after watching a DVD about the importance of using public transport responsibly. The top prize was two tickets to Wembley Stadium, with free National Express travel to an England international game, donated by National Express. There are also six runners up prizes of a 1GB iPod Shuffle.
Secondary Schools
Overall winner – two tickets to Wembley plus free travel:
Fouzia Khan - Brinsworth Comprehensive, Rotherham
The following pupils received a 1GB iPod Shuffle:
Atiq Rafiq - Brinsworth Comprehensive, Rotherham
Ashley Leak - Clifton Comprehensive, Rotherham
Jamie Tindale - King Edward VII, Sheffield
Bethany Smith - Balby Carr Sports College, Doncaster
Darren Batty - Edward Sheerian Comprehensive, Barnsley
Olivia Clifton - Foulstone School, Barnsley