Go Green Game: Free National Express West Midlands bus travel for fans to Edgbaston New Zealand IT20

We've teamed up with Edgbaston Stadium to offer free bus travel for match day ticket holders to its Go Green Game against New Zealand on 3rd September.

The Men’s Vitality IT20 against the Blackcaps (2.30pm start) is set to be the first sustainable game of its kind in UK cricket and will see a focus on cutting emissions across all scopes of the stadium’s footprint.

Fan travel is the biggest contributor to carbon emissions and as part of the Go Green Game initiative Edgbaston Stadium is encouraging fans to make their way to the ground using public transport.

We'll be running a free 501 Shuttle Bus service from New Street Station – opposite TK Maxx on Smallbrook Queensway – with frequent trips from 12pm and return trips to the city centre after the game. The Shuttle Bus service is convenient for users of both New Street and Moor Street train stations.

Spectators can also travel on all of our other National Express West Midlands bus services – including the numbers 45 and 47 which serve Pershore Road near Edgbaston Stadium – by showing drivers a printed or electronic match ticket.

Tim Bullock, Head of Strategic Partnerships at National Express, said: "As the region's largest bus operator we play a key role in providing sustainable transport choices for our customers, investing in cleaner and greener buses to help drive down harmful emissions.
 
“One double decker bus can take up to 75 cars off the road which is why we're proud to partner with Edgbaston Stadium to provide transport to the Go Green Game, a sporting event which has sustainability at its very core. 
 
"We hope that the free buses will encourage spectators to consider ditching their cars and switching to the bus to travel to the game. Not only is it environmentally-friendly, it's convenient and cheaper on the pocket, saving on fuel, parking and paying Clean Air Zone charges."

It’s expected more than 2,500 fans will take advantage of the free bus travel on the day.

Edgbaston’s Sustainability Manager Lydia Carrington, added: “Fan travel is the biggest contributor to match day emissions. That’s why we’re limiting parking at the ground and doing all we can to encourage people to reach the stadium on public transport.

“As part of our partnership with National Express West Midlands ticket holders can enjoy free bus travel to the game and play their part in cutting emissions and road congestion as part of our Go Green Game.

“We’ll also be encouraging people to come by train and hop on the free dedicated National Express West Midlands 501 shuttle buses, or for those who are able, make the 30 minute walk from New Street, Moor Street or Snow Hill stations to the ground. We’ll have volunteers along the route guiding the way and putting improved signage in place.”

Visit nxbus.co.uk to find local bus routes and timetables.