Bus firm sorry for risque ‘ride me all day’ slogan

A BUS company has apologised after advertising its fares with a picture of a half-naked woman and the words “ride me all day for £3”.

The controversial advert on the back of a X1 service operated by New Adventure Travel (NAT), based in Cardiff. Picture: PA

New Adventure Travel (NAT), based in Cardiff, hoped the ads on the back of its new X1 service would be a talking point among city centre commuters.

But the stunt looks to have backfired following a backlash.

A spokesman for the NAT Group promised the images would be removed from its buses within the next 24 hours.

The controversial advert on the back of a X1 service operated by New Adventure Travel (NAT), based in Cardiff. Picture: PA

He said: “The slogan of ‘ride me all day for £3’, while being a little tongue in cheek, was in no way intended to cause offence to either men or women and if the advert has done so, then we apologise unreservedly.

“There has certainly been no intention to objectify either men or women.

“Given the volume of negativity received, we have decided to remove the pictures from the back of the buses within the next 24 hours.”

The advert prompted mixed reactions among commuters on Westgate Street in Cardiff.

The controversial advert on the back of a X1 service operated by New Adventure Travel (NAT). Picture: PA

Mother-of-two Joanne Bell, 34, said she was disgusted by the images.

She said: “I don’t want my kids seeing that kind of slogan. It’s sexist and demeaning.”

Pensioner Margaret Jones, 66, was also not impressed. She said: “It’s too crude. It’s not like it’s on the telly, where you can change the channel. It’s being driven all around the city centre.”

University student Huw Daniels, 21, said: “It’s like something you’d seen from the 1970s or a Carry On film.”

Shop worker Adam Greaves, 42, said: “I thought it was well funny. It’s not as bad as people are making out. Anyway, the ad has done its job. People are speaking about it.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Whilst we are not responsible for the awarding of contracts for local bus services, we welcome the decision of NAT to withdraw these adverts.”