HE’S THE man with the golden girls. Or he would be, if he can get them back on the buses.
Covid has seen many people shun public transport, particularly those who have concessionary bus passes.
And to help get round the problem, Reading Buses has appointed an assistant marketing manager to help.
Kevin Kempton, 33, has joined the Great Knolly Street firm with a mission to get over 65s out and about.
“Their usage of the bus, and public transport in general, is down at the moment and I have been asked to help work on a campaign to encourage them back on to the bus,” he said.
“There are a number of reasons as to why this is, but in the coming weeks we will be getting the message out there that trips on the bus – and public transport in general – can be good for people’s mental health and wellbeing.”
As part of this, Mr Kempton is gathering information on Christmas events in Reading and how people can take the bus to enjoy these activities – he won’t have to look too far, as Reading Today contains a comprehensive what’s on guide.
“There’s loads to do in Reading around Christmas,” he said. “We shall be encouraging people of all ages to get on board and at the same time trying to make the overall experience better for everyone.
“These are certainly exciting challenges.”
The Woodley-based man knows his Oranges … for that’s the route he uses to get from home to work.
“I don’t own a car so travelling by public transport is the norm for me,” he said.
“I’m finding it really interesting to see everything goes into making bus services run and have already learnt just how much goes on behind the scenes to keep things moving.”
Originally from Romford, he gained a degree at Anglia Ruskin University Chelmsford in multi-media computing and lists his hobbies as technology, cinema and travel.
Reading Buses marketing manager Jake Osman: “I’m delighted to welcome Kevin to the marketing team.
“Alongside his wealth of marketing experience, his perception as a customer will be invaluable at helping us build successful campaigns to encourage bus users back in a post-covid world.”
