The Essex County Cricket Club has announced a sponsorship agreement with one of the UK’s most well-known public transport operators, First Bus East of England.
The new agreement represents the start of a dynamic relationship between two community-focused institutions.
To commemorate this partnership, fans travelling to The Cloud County Ground on Thursday, June 20 for the Vitality Blast match against Hampshire Hawks could take advantage of complimentary transportation by entering a unique code issued by the club prior to the match.
The occasion coincides with Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest campaign to combat air pollution, emphasising the significance of sustainable mobility alternatives.
Every bus ride helps to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, since each bus may take up to 75 automobiles off the road.
As part of the collaboration, First Bus will be prominently featured across Essex Cricket, such as on a new pitch-side advertising board, with an emphasis on the £2 single fare that is valid in Essex.
Furthermore, First Bus will assist Essex Cricket in the Community by sponsoring the flagship Mini Matchplay event in August, as well as a variety of additional community projects to be revealed, showcasing their commitment to developing local talent and community engagement.
Daryl Townson, Commercial Manager at Essex Cricket, said, “Partnering with one of the country’s best-loved transport operators is a really exciting time for the Club. One element of our partnership will be the branded Essex Cricket bus that fans will be able to catch around Chelmsford in the very near future. As a Club, we take sustainability very seriously and we are excited that First Bus are offering our fans free travel to our fixture on Thursday 20 June, which is also Clean Air Day. We want to encourage those visiting our ground to leave the car at home and use the bus instead.”
Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First Bus East of England, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Essex Cricket. This collaboration represents a shared commitment to our community, promoting sustainable transportation and supporting local and regional sports. Together, we aim to make it easier for fans to attend matches, help the Club and its fans reduce their carbon footprint, and contribute to the vibrant sporting culture in Essex.”
First Bus is among the UK’s most recognised public transport providers, operating over 4,500 buses across the country and enabling 1.1 million passenger journeys each day in 2023.
The firm operates approximately 50 routes in Essex alone, making it a major player in local public transit.