Press releases

Arriva, one of the UK’s leading bus operators, is giving employers the chance to offer their staff up to 41 per cent savings on bus travel to work through the innovative Greentravel2work incentive scheme created by employee benefits provider P&MM.

Developed in support of the Government’s Green Travel Plan, which has a target of increasing bus journeys in the UK by 12 per cent by the year 2012, the scheme enables organisations to offer their staff significant tax and National Insurance (NI) savings when purchasing an annual bus pass.

Through Greentravel2work, employees at participating organisations pay for their bus pass by monthly deductions from their pay packet – a salary sacrifice.  The amount paid by the employee is exempt from income tax and NI contributions (up to 41 per cent on the cost of an annual bus pass), bringing fantastic cost savings and encouraging employees to leave the car at home and use the bus.

Mike Woodhouse, marketing manager for Arriva UK Regions, said: "We are pleased to be able to team up with UK companies and other employers to offer their people a scheme that has cost saving benefits as well as encouraging local bus travel.

“In the current economic climate where people are increasingly watching what they are spending, we believe that buses offer a way for people to reduce their travel costs.

“Buses already offer great value for people travelling in and out of towns and cities and this scheme offers a chance to buy an annual pass with an additional saving of up to 41 per cent. We hope it will attract more people to the bus when they see the cost, convenience and environmental benefits that bus travel can offer.”

P&MM is believed to be the first benefits provider to launch and offer Greentravel2work as an outsourced product. Richard Davies, head of employee benefits at P&MM, commented: “Greentravel2work is a highly attractive benefit for both staff and employers alike due to the significant savings that can be claimed. Everyone wins – the employee, the employer, bus operators and the environment.”

Richard continued: “Working with Arriva, P&MM is now able to implement schemes for organisations both locally and nationwide. Our clients include a number of local authorities as well as national commercial organisations, such as electrical retailer Comet.

“In light of the rising costs of fuel together with a need to adopt greener practices, bus travel provides an effective solution that is available to everyone. Greentravel2work now makes it easier and more cost-effective than ever for individuals that want to make a difference and save money.”

Comet became the first national, commercial retailer to offer its employees the opportunity to take advantage of reduced rate bus travel to and from the workplace. Natalie Town, benefits manager at Comet, said: “We wanted to introduce an employee benefit that not only offered important savings to our staff but could also work and be redeemed on a national level. Greentravel2work offered exactly this and has the added benefit of promoting our green credentials. In the face of rising fuel costs, we hope that as many staff as possible will take advantage of this innovative benefit.”