Press releases

Youngsters are choosing bus tickets alongside free mobile phone texts and revision study guides as their 'rewards' in the Government's Connexions Card project.

By attending school, college or work based training, 16 to 19 year olds can earn points every week which can then be redeemed for rewards, including the opportunity to receive a free Arriva 'Go Anywhere' ticket.

And if rewards continue to be claimed at the same rate throughout 2006 'Go Anywhere' tickets will account for 1 million points – a staggering 10,000 weeks of attendance by students and pupils!

Mike Woodhouse, marketing manager for Arriva's UK Bus division, said:

We know that many of our customers' first experience of bus travel is when going to school or to college and so we were delighted to join the Connexions Card reward scheme. We see it as a great opportunity to encourage young people to use public transport for more journeys, and do their bit to help ease congestion.

The Arriva 'Go Anywhere' ticket allows our customers to combine journeys on Arriva buses in more than one of our regions or to use Arriva bus services at either end of a journey integrating with other modes of travel. We are surprised but delighted that it has now topped the league as the most requested reward from Connexions Card users.

The Connexions Card also acts as a proof of age card and is designed to encourage more young people to remain in learning after the age of 16 . Available to all 16-19 year-olds in England , over 600 ,000 young people have a Connexions Card. Cardholders can also get numerous high street discounts just b y showing their Card.

Catherine Logan, d irector of m arketing at Connexions Card, said:

The popularity of this reward shows that young people value public transport and that reducing the cost of this is a real incentive for them.

Notes to editors

• Arriva's 'Go Anywhere' ticket is not available on Arriva bus services in London , special excursion buses such as Dales Bus; Green Line coach services or The Original London Sightseeing Tour. For full details of exemptions, or for timetable and map details for journey planning, customers can access Arriva's website on www.arrivabus.co.uk
• The Connexions Card is a unique initiative that offers rewards and incentives to young people aged 16-19 as a means of encouraging them to remain in post-16 learning. The project is an important part of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) aim of increasing levels of participation and attainment in post-16 learning. Following successful pilot-testing from July 1999, the Connexions Card was rolled-out across England on a regional basis and is now available nationally. Find more information on the Connexions Card at www.connexionscard.com .