A BUS company is highlighting the opportunity for Swindon to improve air quality for the long term while coming out of lockdown.

Swindon’s Bus Company’s managing director Andrew Wickham is urging people living and working in-and-around the town to embrace green and use public transports as today marks Word Environment Day.

Andrew said: “Recent months have been hugely challenging for everyone, and key workers across Swindon have worked tirelessly to save lives and keep us all going.

“We have been playing our part by providing transport for essential travel since lockdown began in March, and have recently increased our services, following the Government’s decision to ease restrictions.”

Andrew said people have been travelling far less by car, using public transports instead.

He added: “One positive result of lockdown, is the effect it has had on our environment. Although we have yet to receive official figures, we have seen with our own eyes the reduction in congestion across the town – and this can only have a positive impact on our air quality.

“Looking more towards the future, we at Swindon’s Bus Company want to build on our past efforts. As managing director of a bus company, you would expect me to encourage people to use sustainable transport - but travelling by bus, rather than by car, really does help reduce congestion and pollution.

“The world is a very different place than it was just a few months ago but this is our chance to embrace one of the more positive outcomes of lockdown, and try to create a cleaner and better environment for all.”