By Wendy John
SIBU, Feb 5: The Park & Ride (Carbon Free Day) programme here on March 21 aims to encourage motorists to leave their vehicles at home and take a free bus ride.
The programme is organised by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) in collaboration with local bus companies and is one the activities being held here in conjunction with Earth Hour and Love Earth Day 2020, according to organising chairwoman Councillor Jenny Ting at a press conference here today.
There is one bus allocated per route while the programme would be from 8am to 12noon.
The programme is also be used by the council to gauge public interest in and as a possible launching pad for free hydrogen bus services, following the recent launch of the free hydrogen bus service in Kuching
“We would be happy to have a similar service in future to reduce carbon emission,” she said.
The Park & Ride event encompasses three routes, namely Sanyan-Farley Supermarket-Sing Kwong (Salim) Supermarket-Sanyan, Sanyan-Star Mega Mall-Sanyan, and Sanyan-Sibu Civic Centre-Sanyan.
The local bus companies participating in the event are Sungai Merah Bus Company and Lanang Road Bus Company.
Ting encouraged interested members of the public to register online for the event a few days before to facilitate arrangements, although they could also register on the spot on the day. There will also be activities on the participating buses to enliven the programme.
Meanwhile, among activities in store for this year’s Earth Hour and Love Earth Day are awareness talks on waste segregation and food composting, an eco-brick making competition, Pick & Run on February 29, tree-planting programme, video-shooting competition, a flea market (March 21), and the Love Earth Day exhibition and closing ceremony (April 18). — DayakDaily
