Following the re-brand of the Sherwood Arrow and a partnership with the Robin Hood Festival, Stagecoach East Midlands announced that it has experienced a significant rise in passenger numbers.
Family ticket sales were up 29% in the first week after the festival, as part of an overall 9% increase in passengers, with family ticket sales leaping up 66% in the second week, compared with the same period the previous year.
Families in particular are continuing to use the service, taking advantage of the all-day discounted Family Pass.
The refreshed service, partly funded by Nottinghamshire County Council, connects Nottingham, Ollerton, Worksop and Retford.
Each Sherwood Arrow bus has been given a specific character – Robin Hood, Maid Marion, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Friar Tuck.
Michelle Hargreaves, Stagecoach East Midlands Managing Director, said: “It’s great to see that more and more families are using the Sherwood Arrow service since the Robin Hood festival. The service connects families to rural areas and beautiful countryside parks, making perfect days out.
“We’ve had a great response regarding the re-fresh of the buses and the Robin Hood characters seem to be a particular hit with children.”
Stagecoach East Midlands also announced the winner of a competition on the service. Four-year-old Séamus Ashburn won a £100 toy voucher after collecting all four of the Robin Hood themed character badges on the Sherwood Arrow.
‘Maid Marion’ and Mansfield Operations Manager, Darren Hicken, presented Séamus with his prize at his grandmother’s house.
Michelle added: “We are delighted to announce Séamus as the winner of our Sherwood Arrow badge competition.
“It’s great to hear that he wants to be a bus driver when he is older and I hope he continues to follow that dream.”
