New Forest Tour relaunch offers discounted open-top bus rides for locals to boost green travel

DISCOUNTED fares are being offered to New Forest residents to encourage greener travel as the district’s popular open-top bus tours return this summer.

Covering the length and breadth of the national park, the New Forest Tour will be on offer for locals and visitors alike for nine weeks from Saturday until 18th September.

The partnership between the national park authority and bus operators Morebus and Bluestar provides panoramic views of ponies, picturesque villages and heathland.

An audio commentary tells passengers about the area’s culture and history, and how they can help protect it.

Morebus and Bluestar managing director Andrew Wickham said: “The New Forest Tour plays a key role in encouraging people to leave their cars at home while enjoying all the delights the area has to offer using sustainable transport.

“With this in mind, we are responding to feedback and offering residents a heavily discounted tour ticket.

“This is easily available from the Morebus app to those who pay their council tax to New Forest District Council.”

To claim the deal passengers need to complete a one-off verification process by uploading a photo of their council tax bill from their phone.

The tour stops outside Brockenhurst station, on the main south coast railway line, as well as Lymington and Ashurst stations.

It also passes Forest cycle hire centres, with each bus able to carry up to four bikes to access country lanes and 100 miles of waymarked cycle tracks.

Many stops near camping and caravan sites also allow visitors to have car-free days out.

For more information visit thenewforesttour.info