Free bus competition

Free school buses are up for grabs in a scheme run by transport bosses to avoid scrapping the outdated vehicles.

Individuals, schools, community groups, sports teams and volunteer organisations can submit ideas for how to use one of the yellow school buses due to be decommissioned from the existing fleet in July.

In 2019, six buses were donated to various bidders. One school turned theirs into a wellbeing bus to provide social and emotional intervention for their pupils; another used it as a reading area and tutoring space. A 2018 recipient used Lottery funding to turn their bus into an outdoor library for pupils and the wider community.

Transport for Greater Manchester committee chair Councillor Mark Aldred said: “This scheme has been hugely successful when we have run it previously and I’ve been impressed with not just the creativity, but also the impact that previous projects have had on crucial issues such as child literacy and mental wellbeing.

“I’m really excited to see what community-spirited and thoughtful schemes people come up with this year as we hopefully continue to emerge from the pandemic and return to normality.”

Interested groups have until Friday June 18 to submit their proposal online before the applications are considered and the winning entries announced.

Entries will be judged on several criteria, including originality, creativity and benefit to the community.

Details on how to enter can be found here.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *