Thousands of motorists are being urged to go by bus and leave their cars at home in a drive by a major bus company which could cost the firm £100,000.

First Bradford wants to rid Bradford's roads of heavy traffic during National Green Transport Week which runs from this Saturday to Sunday, June 13.

The company has distributed 10,000 leaflets throughout the city and put posters on buses in a campaign to control congestion and promote public transport.

It is spending thousands of pounds offering car owners travel passes worth £10 in a bid to persuade them that buses are best.

From Monday drivers are being asked to take their driving licences, vehicle registration documents and passport size photographs to the company's offices on Bowling Back Lane, Bradford. The passes can be used on journeys throughout next week.

The company points out on the leaflets that a single bus can hold as many people as 22 cars.

Chairman of Bradford Council's transportation, planning and design committee, Councillor Latif Darr, gave the scheme a big thumbs up.

Coun Darr - also a member of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority - said the Council's huge work force would be encouraged to take up the offer. "It is great news and I think it will be very well worth while," he said.

Green Transport Week is part of the national Don't Choke Britain '99 Campaign, which is run by the Environmental Transport Association, backed by the government.

First Bradford is already making efforts to reduce pollution with its fleet now running on low sulphur diesel. Synthetic oils which reduce waste are also being put on trial by the company.

First Bradford operation director Khadim Hussain said the scheme was the first of its type by the company but they felt the cost would be worthwhile and hoped people would continue to use buses. "A reduction of one peak journey can make a substantial difference to the environment," he said.

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