Came across this which some of you may find useful:
Andy maps marathon green journey YHA’s Andy Bickerstaffe has completed the equivalent of a ‘round-the-world’ trip using ‘green’ transport to produce a car-free travel guide to all Youth Hostels in England and Wales.
During 18 months of painstaking research, the ‘transport guinea pig’ visited all 220 hostels, clocking up more than 24,000 miles by train, bus, foot, ferry and even sea tractor for the new Car Free and Easy map.
The completed guide is designed to increase the use of YHA properties and promote the use of sustainable transport.
The Car Free and Easy guide was produced as part of the Empty Roads project, which scooped a Laureate prize in February at the prestigious Ecologically Sound Travel in Europe conference in Vienna - a major event held to celebrate the country’s EU presidency.
YHA’s Sustainable Transport Officer Rob Brock travelled with Andy to Vienna - by train, of course - to collect the honour for Empty Roads, which was selected from 80 entries from 15 different countries for the prize.
Said Rob: “Coming almost straight after collecting our award in the Hapsburg Palace, the launch of the new map completes a fantastic week for Empty Roads.
“Through this guide we have shown it’s not only possible to travel to all the Youth Hostels of England and Wales on public transport but in most cases it’s also incredibly easy.
“The project involved a lot of painstaking hard work and travelling around the entire network to collate the information needed for our audit was a feat in itself.
“Particular credit must go to Andy, our travelling ‘test pilot’, for his dedication to the job.
“The problems he experienced first hand - in the same way YHA guests would - were the inspiration for Empty Roads’ recommendations and will ensure an improved level of service to our guests in the future.”
Empty Roads was established to encourage a shift from private cars to more sustainable and enjoyable alternatives of travel, while simultaneously introducing new audiences to travel through Youth Hostels and encouraging them to cycle, walk and use public transport.
The completed survey highlighted the provision of clear information and mapping as a key component in successful sustainable travel and the map was created is response.
Maps will soon be available from all YHA centres free of charge, and will also be distributed to YHA’s partners such as the National parks, Tourist Information Centre’s and transport partners.
A downloadable pdf format of the map can be found at
www.yha.org.uk Not a bad attempt at a complex issue, the last GB Bus map example I came across was the one available with the now discounted GB Bus timetable(Similar in design to the National rail Times Book)
