Bus journeys in Reading have shot up by a whopping 11.4%, hitting a grand total of 19.5 million in 2023/24. That’s a solid 2 million more trips than the year before, far outpacing the national average. To put it simply, Reading’s buses are now getting a lot more attention – and it's not just from passengers.
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| Reading Borough Council |
In fact, Reading boasts the third highest number of bus journeys per person in England (outside of London, of course), trailing only Brighton and Nottingham. Yes, you read that right – third! Reading is practically living in a bus-loving utopia.
So what’s behind this bus boom? Well, the magic lies in the Council’s £26 million Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The latest government data reveals that Reading has not only topped national growth figures (11.4% vs. the national 7.4%) but also doubled the growth rate of the South East (4.7%). Take that, regional rivals.
In numbers that really make you sit up and take notice, Reading clocked up 109.4 bus journeys per person last year. That’s a 9.8% rise on the previous year and a full 74% higher than the national average (62.9). If you're from the South East, well, Reading is showing you up with a 240% higher rate (32.1). Ouch.
The Council’s £26 million investment is paying off. A fleet of new bus lanes are popping up around town, with three already operational on London Road (Cemetery Junction) and two more on Oxford Road. And that’s just the start. The South Reading Bus Rapid Transit project is also in full swing, helping buses avoid the dreaded bottlenecks while keeping things running smoothly for everyone else. And hey, we’re even getting a shiny new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Kennet.
Let’s not forget the passenger perks: expanded Buzz 9 and Buzz 18 services, a multi-operator discount scheme with tap-on, tap-off tech and a cheeky £1 fare for parking and return journeys on park and ride services. Nice.
And it’s not just about buses. Reading Buses is investing in a fleet that’s not only modern but also green, with 24 new zero-emission electric buses rolling in next year. No big deal. Just saving the planet, one bus at a time.
As for facilities, passengers can now enjoy better accessibility and real-time bus updates – so no more waiting around wondering when the bus is actually coming.
“The latest government figures show a big increase in the number of people using Reading’s excellent bus network. They highlight how hugely important buses are for so many people travelling around the borough, whether it be for work or pleasure.
Through our Bus Service Improvement Plan, the Council has been working with partners on several schemes to make bus travel even quicker, more reliable, convenient, cheaper and easier to use.
These encouraging statistics follow on from recent news that usage of Reading’s train stations are on the increase. The Council intends to continue with its ambitious plans to encourage even more people to take public transport in preference to the private car, to reduce traffic congestion, cut carbon emissions and improve air quality to benefit the health of Reading’s residents.”
In short, the buses are buzzing, the numbers are climbing and Reading is leading the charge to make public transport the cool and sustainable choice of the people.
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