Bristol, Bath and the West

Stepping out in style this New Year; in bus firms green trainers

Having entered a partnership with TRiP (Transport Recycling in Partnership) to help it develop its business of re-using and recycling transport industry waste, fabric from First's bus seats has been recycled and transformed into basketball style trainers. And the trainers got their first outing in Bristol this week.

Staff from First took the trainers for a ride on one of the city's buses in a bid to road test them properly.

Justin Davies, Managing Director, First Bristol, Somerset and Avon said: "This partnership with TRiP is both innovative and imaginative and it underlines our commitment to sustainability. It's also part of our waste management programme which, combined with our Climate Change Strategy, contributes to reducing our impact on the environment.

"The shoes are great, they are made from 100% recycled materials, including bus seat covers and recycled tyre rubber. They are a must have for the fashion conscious environmentalist! I am pleased to hear that they are already proving popular in London and across Europe."

Robert Taylor-Read, Projects Director at TRiP, said: "Bristol today played host to one of the greenest trainers on the market. Not only are the uppers made from restored bus seat fabrics, the soles contain recycled tyre rubber. In addition we have incorporated high quality napa leather in the trim, using re-purposed chequebook wallets from a high street bank! Each pair is a limited edition relic of transport design heritage which are comfortable, stylish and robust. I hope they prove popular in the South West."

Taylor-Read also spoke about Firsts commitment to the project: "To have the worlds leading transport operator support us is a tremendous boost for the business. First has a commendable reputation for innovation and added to which has published an ambitious and industry leading Climate Change Strategy. TRiP is all about mitigating the environmental impact of transport. I am delighted that FirstGroup has the vision and foresight to partner with us in the first phase of TRiPs works programme."

The limited edition footwear, which is made by London's first environment-conscious footwear range Above+Below London, retail for £70 and can be bought online from: www.aboveandbelowlondon.com.



Notes to Editors
· For more information contact: Karen Baxter, PR Manager (South West & Wales), First Bus, on 07894 785155 or email: Karen.Baxter@firstgroup.com.
· Images of staff on buses with the trainers are available on request. To request an image call 07894 785155 or email: Karen.Baxter@firstgroup.com
· The trainers are limited edition.
· First does not profit from the sale of the trainers. Instead the partnership with TRiP is part of FirstGroups Climate Change strategy and Waste management programme.
· First Bristol, Somerset & Avon carries around 55 million passengers each year on a network of more than 100 routes. It has depots in Bristol, Bath, Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Wells. As a company, First is committed to delivering a safe, reliable and punctual service for its customers. The company operates 750 vehicles and employs 2000 people.
· FirstGroup plc is the worlds leading transport company with revenues of over £5 billion a year. It employs over 135,000 staff throughout the UK and North America and transports more than 2.5 billion passengers a year.
· The Group is Britains largest bus operator running more than one in five of all local bus services. A fleet of nearly 9,000 buses carries 3 million passengers a day in more than 40 major towns and cities.