A ‘drive’ which champions bus travel across Liverpool City Region is underway, holding open auditions to find the young faces for its new campaign. Andrew Wright reports.

Better By Bus, a collaboration between Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach, is the first campaign of its kind in the UK and has been established to encourage people across the city region to use the bus more often.

The campaign comes on the back of the introduction of new vehicles, improved services, travel apps and onboard Wi-Fi.

The Better By Bus team is now on the lookout for the next generation of young talent to feature across the entire campaign and propel the message of city region-wide bus travel to commuters and leisure passengers alike.

Auditions will be led by Rare Studio, a Liverpool-based performing arts school, whose students work with artists and organisations across the globe.

Previous experience isn’t necessary, the only rule being that the future stars must be between the ages of 6 and 9 as of 31^st March, 2017.

Julie Linforth, campaign conductor for Better By Bus, said:“This is the first time Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach have collaborated so we know Liverpool City Region’s rising stars will be part of something truly special. We’re looking for kids from across Halton, Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley and Sefton to come on board and help us create a fantastic campaign.

The young people, aged between 6 and 9 years old, will play an integral part in the campaign and will shape the entire brand across advertisements, video and even social media – they really will be the face of the Better By Bus campaign.”

Lindsay Inglesby, director of Rare Studio, said:“The auditions are all about identifying those who have the ability to take it to the next level and finding a variety of young people that are a true representation of the entire region. For us, it doesn’t matter about experience or whether they’re currently in training – it’s all about the children being themselves and bringing real personality to the table. We’re looking to find kids who are confident, humorous and bring bags of energy.”

Auditions will be held on Sunday 19^th March between 11am-4pm at Rare Studio, 56 Wood Street, L1.

Successful applicants must be available during the week of 10^th April for the filming of the Better By Bus promotional video. Fees and expenses will be paid and licenses will be arranged from the applicable local authority.

If you would like to book your child a place at the auditions or find out more call 0151 707 0427 or email jeanette@agentmarketing.co.uk.

For further details about the campaign www.betterbybus.org or on Twitter and Instagram @better_by_bus or Facebook at Better By Bus.