Despite a ‘difficult decision’ to change several of their fares, Reading Buses announce some ‘good news’ for customers.
Mobile fares will be the cheapest option across the board with many fares frozen on the app.
Many people will also save a little bit of money as a result of the new simply Wokingham and Reading zone which replaces the simplyNetwork zone for a large number of customers.
This will mean some savings that will include paying £19.50 for a 7 day ticket rather than the current £20.
“There are some real positives to be taken from the fares change,” Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer, said today.
“Our app prices, for the most part, will be frozen to allow many to continue paying the same amount as they are currently doing.
“A new simplyWokingham & Reading zone for customers travelling into Reading from Wokingham, Arborfield, Shinfield, Spencers Wood, Burghfield Common and Sonning Common will see fares reduced for people buying period tickets.
“And we have managed to keep many fares the same such as the great value simplyReading and simplyNetwork group tickets.
“It’s worth remembering that fares have not changed for at least two years and many for even longer than that.
“But the last two years have been extremely hard for everyone and this has equally been the same for Reading Buses.
“Whilst we currently receive some Covid recovery funding, since September it has not been sufficient to cover the running costs of our network.
“As a result we are having to make the difficult decision to change some fares to help close the gap. The new fares will begin from January 3 2022.”
The headline changes announced by Reading Buses are:
- Most app prices will be frozen – especially the on-the-bus fares
- There are no changes to simplyReading or simplyNetwork group ticket prices
- There are no changes to simplyUni prices
- Single fares will generally increase by 10p
- Return/day tickets will generally increase by 20p
- The simplyReading 7 day easysaver 10 and daysaver5tickets will be frozen at £16
- The simplyNetwork tickets will now be valid across all Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses services with just a few exceptions
- A new simplyWokingham & Reading zone is introduced to provide better value for money for Wokingham, Burghfield and Sonning Common residents who travel into Reading
- The simplyReading zone is extended to Sonning to allow customers to use Thames Valley Buses services 127/8/9
- Adult tickets on Winnersh Triangle park & ride will be frozen. Boost singles and returns will increase
The full details of the changes, including the new prices, can be found on reading-buses.co.uk