CYZ is on the Road – with our own Stagecoach Bus!

Schoolgirl Elise Roberts, aged 11, is on the road to a bright future after designing an eye-catching new Carlisle Youth Zone livery for a local Stagecoach bus.

The primary school pupil’s colourful design now adorns a specially-branded Stagecoach bus which will promote the city’s new Youth Zone as it travels along the city streets.

The public service bus was unveiled at Scotby C of E Primary School on Wednesday 25th May, and will now be used on routes across the city. Joining Elise at the school where she is a pupil was Stagecoach North West MD Paul Southgate and CYZ’s Private Sector Fundraising & Events Officer Kelly Conway.

A competition to design the new bus was rolled out to selected Rural School’s in Carlisle by Carlisle Youth Zone and Stagecoach North West and over 150 entries were submitted. A shortlisting panel of CYZ and Stagecoach staff had difficulty in selecting a small number for consideration due to the standard of entry being so high, Paul Southgate and Kelly Conway had the difficult job of picking the overall winner.

Kelly Conway, commented: “The standard of entry was very high. Elise won for her brilliant design, which looks fantastic. We love Eloise’s design as the purple is really eye catching and her design is focused on the musical elements which will take place at the Youth Zone. Because of Elise’s hard work and Stagecoach’s dedication the bus will be a great way of promoting CYZ in Carlisle’

“Stagecoach are also going to reduce the fares for young people travelling to and from the youth zone. This is amazing support. It really shows their commitment to Carlisle Youth Zone and in helping kids get to and from it and in also reducing the cost of young people travelling to our club nights.”

Paul Southgate, Managing Director of Stagecoach North West said, “We are very excited to be involved with the Carlisle Youth Zone, a fantastic project that will bring immense benefits to the area. Our purple bus will operate throughout the City and ensure the CYZ and its logo are seen and recognised by the whole community.”        

In addition to the branded bus, Stagecoach is also donating £10,000 financial support to the CYZ charity for three years.  This contribution ensures Carlisle Youth Zone can keep running as a great place for young people in Carlisle and the surrounding areas and keep the entry fee at only 50p a visit.  

To find out more about the travel discounts available please click here. To find out more about how you can support Carlisle Youth Zone click here