Businesses and organisations across Adur and Worthing can secure travel discounts for their staff thanks to a new network launched by Adur & Worthing Councils and the easitNETWORK.

easitADUR & WORTHING will see the Councils team up with a leading social enterprise to offer individuals money off train and bus travel, as well as reductions on bikes, car hire and other initiatives.

The aim is to make public transport and cycling realistic ‘door-to door’ alternatives for commuters – with the added benefit that discounts can be used for leisure as well as work trips.

Adur & Worthing Councils launched the new network with representatives from easit this week, shortly after pledging to become the founding member of the group as a cornerstone of its SustainableAW agenda.

Businesses large and small across the area are now being urged to sign up – to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from increased health and wellbeing while getting cars off the road and reducing air pollution across our communities.

Councillor Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, said: “I’m delighted to see this new network launch which will provide encouragement and financial incentive for workers to consider more sustainable alternatives to getting from A to B. It has the potential to improve the health of thousands of residents while making our communities less congested and polluted.”

Councillor Dan Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “Through our ambitious Sustainable AW programme we are determined to encourage residents and businesses to do their part to preserve and nurture our special environment for generations to come. This travel network ticks all of those boxes which is why I hope as many companies and organisations as possible sign up to this network. It really is a positive for everyone involved.”

Mel Mehmet, CEO of easit, said: “We are delighted to launch our first new network of 2019 and the 16th easitNETWORK overall.  There now exists a real desire to address transport issues and that is where easit can help. We are very much looking forward to working with Adur & Worthing Councils.”

The first years costs will be met by the Councils with developer contributions being used to pay for the start up fees.

Staff at organisations who belong to easitADUR & WORTHING can purchase an annual easitCARD, for a small cost, which will entitle them to a 15% discount on Southern rail services.

The aim for the first year is to recruit at least five businesses and organisations representing more than 5,000 commuters to allow the network to run sustainably in future years.

For more details on the easitADUR & WORTHING network visit: www.easit.org.uk/easitadur-and-worthing.