A pupil at The Arches Community Primary School in Blacon has been bus-y creating a design which could end up all over Chester this summer.

Ruby Davies won a competition by Stagecoach to design a bus as part of the national Catch the Bus Week programme, which encourages people to use public transport.

The nine-year-old artist also won £250 worth of art supplies for her school and goody bags for her class in the process following the success of her Wacky Bus design.

She said: “I thought it would be funny to make a really colourful bus as it would make everyone smile when they see it.

“I love getting the bus. Every time I go on the bus, it’s like going on a school trip and I get to see a new place. My favourite place to visit is definitely Chester Zoo!”

Arches Primary School Chester pupil Ruby Davies shows off her winning design with Stagecoach Operations Manager Rob Jones

Headteacher at The Arches Primary School, Michelle Ashfield said: “We encourage the students to embrace creative thinking and design so this competition was perfect for them to take part in. The new art supplies will go to good use in the school.”

Children from schools across Merseyside and Cheshire were tasked by Stagecoach to design the bus.

Operations director at Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire Rob Jones, said: “Congratulations to Ruby and her school for winning our competition. Her design showed lots of thought and creativity. I’ve asked the question to see if we can make the bus, so who knows, you might see it on the roads in the near future!”

Fare reductions

The company has recently slashed the prices of child ticket fares in Blacon and the Cheshire area to open up travel options for youngsters. The age limit for children purchasing tickets has also risen from under-16 to under-19.

Rob added: “Our aim is to make transport accessible and affordable for all users, especially youngsters under 19. Our new price structure will help remove any cost barriers which might restrict this age group and help young people who really rely on our services.”