Transdev in the north of England has raised thousands of pounds to support relief efforts in war-torn Ukraine by donating money for every ticket sold on all its buses in a day across the region.
Transdev UK decided to launch its fundraising mission to support the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)’s appeal with the backing of its customers in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester in the north of England.
On Sunday 20 March, Transdev pledged to donate 10p to the DEC’s humanitarian appeal for each ticket sold on board hundreds of its buses from Preston in the west to Scarborough in the east.
And last week, Transdev UK thanked its customers for their support as it confirms the fundraising day has raised £3,374.69 for the DEC appeal.
Like everyone, we have all been saddened by the appalling events in Ukraine and the dreadful impact this has had on people who have had to flee the country.
All of us at Transdev at our locations right across the North of England felt compelled to show our support and we hope the donation from our fares will go some way in giving the right kind of help to those who need it.
We are proud to employ a number of Ukrainian families as part of our own team here in the North and give our full support to international Transdev colleagues aiding the humanitarian effort elsewhere in Europe.
Alex Hornby, Transdev UK CEO
As well as the 10p donation from Transdev for every ticket it sold on the day, the UK team also collected generous donations on its buses from its customers.
Each of its buses now wears a Ukrainian flag shaped in a heart, as a visible and public show of support and to help raise awareness of the need to keep on supporting those helping people on the ground in Ukraine.
The bus operator is also providing free travel for Ukrainian refugees heading for destinations it serves, simply by showing a Ukrainian passport and an airline boarding pass valid within the last 48 hours.
The DEC’s Ukraine Appeal has already raised over £260 million in donations and sponsorship, while the UK Government has committed £400 million in urgent economic and humanitarian support.
Transdev UK’s support for the DEC appeal in the North of England comes as its parent Group’s subsidiaries operating in nations close to the conflict – including in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Germany – continue to aid refugees, including by chartering buses and delivering supplies to Ukrainian families fleeing their country.
Details of all Transdev bus routes and tickets are available online at transdevbus.co.uk and on the free to download Transdev Go mobile app.