Ronnie rides the bus to encourage Leeds Rhinos fans to make greener travel choice

Leeds Rhinos has announced it has renewed a partnership with First Bus which will see the club and bus operator working together to promote their sustainability goals and inclusivity and diversity in the community.

Through the partnership, fans will be encouraged to consider sustainable travel, including the bus, to get to the AMT Headingley Stadium and help reduce theirs and the club’s carbon footprint on matchdays.

First Bus is also its official One Team, Team Rhinos Bus Partner and will work with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation to support initiatives taking rugby league and netball into the community.

And the club’s iconic mascot, Ronnie has been out on the bus network with members of the supporters’ group to show fans how easy it is to make a trip to the stadium on the bus.

He joined with grandparents, children and wheelchairs users on board one of the First Bus electric fleet in Leeds, the largest in West Yorkshire, to enjoy the ride.

Ronnie’s trip comes on the eve of the Rhinos’ home match against Hull KR this Friday 25 April, which the club has named its Net Zero Game to help promote sustainability. 

The club is urging fans to look out for details of a special discount of £1.50 - 25 per cent off – on a First Bus Day ticket for travel to and from the stadium for this match and all remaining home games this season.

Ben Turnbull, Business Development Manager of Leeds Rhinos, said: “First Bus are fantastic partners of Leeds Rhinos and it is great that we can work with them to give our fans outstanding benefits on matchnights especially as that helps us work towards our goal of Net Zero by 2030."

First Bus will bring a double decker from the fleet to the AMT Headingley Stadium on Friday night. Fans will be able to get information and enjoy fun and games in the pre-match build-up from 6pm.

Lucy Mottram, Marketing Manager of First Bus in West Yorkshire, added: “This builds on our strong partnership with the club.

“We’re thrilled that Ronnie is on board to help spread the message among fans to consider sustainable travel. He’s such a playful character and we had plenty of laughs filming him on his bus journey.”

First Bus operates a number of services with stops a short walk from the AMT Headingley Stadium including:

·       Headingley line services 19 and 19A run to and from Leeds City Centre - Leeds Rail Station Interchange, stop B. 

·       Headingley line service 56 runs to and from Leeds City Centre from stop Victoria H on Eastgate and Headrow, stop K on Albion Street.

·       Service 91 runs to and from Bramley, Chapel Allerton, Halton Moor, Harehills and Pudsey.