Stagecoach East is calling for improved communication with road users in a bid to tackle congestion.

The Saffron Walden bus operator highlighted the role buses play in reducing traffic, improving air quality, combatting climate change, and bolstering the economy.

The call follows figures released at the beginning of Better Transport Week, which runs from June 17 to 23.

They reveal that bus commuters contribute £64bn to the economy annually, and a double-decker bus can remove up to 75 cars from the roads.

Buses remain the most used form of public transport in the UK.

David Boden, business development director of Stagecoach East, emphasised the importance of establishing a good working relationship between all road users.

He said: "Buses are one crucial part of a genuinely Sustainable Transport future for our region, and we are always eager to speak with the other transport operators and local elected officials to understand how we can all work together.

"It is also essential that other road users, like the utilities companies and housing developers, talk to us regularly and really consider their impact on how buses can get our customers where they need to go.

"We can only tackle the curse of congestion if we work together."

Another concern the bus company has tackled is air pollution, which reportedly costs the UK's health services £20bn annually.

Stagecoach East has taken significant steps to reduce this impact by employing "modern, sophisticated" vehicles, including 32 electric buses.

Further information will be released via Twitter/X during Better Transport Week under the hashtag #betterbybus.

The initiative aims to bring together transport industry members, the government, businesses, NGOs, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

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Paul Tuohy from the Campaign for Better Transport said: "Sustainable transport does amazing things.

"It shrinks traffic jams, cleans up our air and tackles climate change. It improves our health and boosts our economy. It connects us to the things that matter.

"We are delighted to have so many groups and organisations coming together during Better Transport Week to help promote sustainable transport and encourage as many people as possible to get on board."