A TRAVEL scheme which could save commuters up to 20% on peak-time public transport is being launched.

The award-winning easitNETWORK, which helps commuters find more sustainable and cheaper ways of getting to work, has extended into Brighton and Hove and East Sussex.

Businesses in the area can sign up free for the social enterprise-run scheme, which opens up travel offers to staff.

An exclusive discount of between 15% and 20% is available on rail journeys across the entire Southern network (excluding London Zones 1-3) as well as bus journeys in the area. 

The offer covers nearly all journey types including peak time travel and annual season tickets and works by bulk-buying tickets.

Other benefits include free loans and discounts on bicycles and car-share opportunities.

Mel Mehmet MBE, easit chief executive, said: “Our aim is to encourage people to travel to and from work more sustainably by offering them a range of options that may tempt them out of the car.”

The scheme was first launched ten years ago and is already active in Crawley and Mid Sussex, as well as East Surrey, Portsmouth and Hampshire, Oxford.

Half a million commuters are currently involved, with 85,000 using rail and bus discounts on several million pounds worth of tickets.

Easit has won the Gatwick Diamond Business green award as well as the Queen’s award for enterprise.

It is being funded by the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund allocated to Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council.

Benefits include a reduction in parking problems and costs, reduced on-site congestion, improved corporate image, reduced business mileage, and meeting of environmental and social obligations.

After one year of free membership companies are encouraged to pay into the scheme.

Businesses can join easit without any forms to complete or contracts to sign and can email Kip Parker in the membership team at kip@easit.org.uk.