Image Credit: BBC News
Bus travel in Reading has seen a remarkable surge, with passenger numbers increasing by over 11.4% in the past year, according to recently published government figures. ALBUM Member Reading Buses, a proud winner at the UK Bus Awards, has been instrumental in this growth, demonstrating its pivotal role in transforming public transport in the town.
Between 2023 and 2024, Reading Buses carried an impressive 19.5 million passengers — a significant jump of two million journeys compared to the previous year. These figures highlight the growing importance of sustainable, reliable, and convenient bus travel for the people of Reading.
This milestone coincides with Reading Borough Council’s ongoing investments in public transport infrastructure. The council received a substantial £26 million grant from the Department for Transport to implement its Bus Service Improvement Plan. The initiative includes the creation of several new bus lanes across Reading, with three already completed along London Road (Cemetery Junction) and two on Oxford Road.
John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, commended the collaborative efforts between the council and transport providers. “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,” said Councillor Ennis.
As Reading Buses celebrates this achievement, it
remains focused on further innovation and excellence in service delivery.