Droves of people from the local community turned out for Reading Buses first open day in three years.
The bus operator recorded another record amount taken on the day – £7,371.08 through a combination of cash and card payments.
The company is now calculating costs to work out how much will go to their charity of the Year New Beginnings who were also on site with their charity branded bus.
“It really did seem like the busiest open day ever,” commented Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams. “A big thank you to everyone who supported the event, be it attending, volunteering or working to keep our company running so that others could take part.”
Visitors could tour the control room and workshop to see behind the scenes and these, along with the BBQ, curry and cake stalls all completely sold out. Trips through the bus wash, which were going non-stop all day, proved a particular hit.
Hundreds of children got to sit in the driver’s seat on a Reading Buses rainbow line-up of buses and had their photo taken with their favourite colour bus.
The event was opened by deputy mayor Cllr Debs Edwards and one of the visiting stallholders said: “The event organisation was excellent and it was good to see so many people.”
Robert added: “I’m so pleased that we were able to go ahead this year after having to cancel them in the last two years. The day really highlights what an important part our company – and the whole team that works within it – plays in the local community.”