(09 Feb 2022, 9:35 am)Andreos1 wrote https://www.route-one.net/news/bus-trave...out-march/

Free buses in Newport throught March. 
This follows up a similar offer in the run up to Christmas.

The only issue I have with it, is that it is very short-term thinking. I am not convinced that people using a bus for free for a couple of weeks in the run up to Christmas (or even during the month of March) will lead to long-term modal shift.

In the Christmas example, it was in place of free parking or other parking incentives being available, but when it reverts back to being bus fares vs parking charges, then people will continue to park every time. I'm not against not offering free or discounted parking, but I disagree with those who keep calling for parking to be more expensive to (force) move people to bus.

Harrogate seem to have a more long-term vision with theirs, albeit limited, by offering free travel on their electric fleet every Sunday. It'd be interesting to see how successful that has proven to be in modal shift though.