The pandemic has not only proved to be a tough time for bus operators – but for buses too.
Buses have faced a busy and difficult year transporting key workers during the lockdowns. So six of Reading Buses’ high capacity double-deck buses will shortly be on their way for a staycation holiday!
Their destination: the popular south coast resort of Bournemouth.
Following the lifting of the latest lockdown restrictions, Yellow Buses were anxious to increase capacity for the high summer season.
So they approached Reading Buses who had the capacity to be able to respond.
Said Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses: “We have of course all heard of a busman’s holiday…
“…now we are going one better and giving our buses a seaside holiday too.
”During the summer we need fewer buses to maintain services as there is less congestion whilst commuters and school children alike are away on holiday. Places such as Bournemouth are extremely popular with holidaymakers and will only be more so in this year of the staycation.
“We are delighted to be able to help our friends at Yellow Buses and send a few of our vehicles on holiday to the coast. We’ve made sure they have their sun cream and beach towels so that they can put their wheels up at the end of each day!”
David Squire, Managing Director of Yellow Buses, said: “Buses need a holiday too and where better than to spend their summer months plying for trade in the south coast’s premier resort of Bournemouth.
“We are really pleased to be able to partner with Reading Buses to boost our summer capacity on key routes linking Bournemouth with Christchurch.
“We hope the buses will enjoy their time by the sea and we are extremely grateful for the assistance of Reading Buses.”
Reading’s now-famous rooftop bus is following up the “Banksy and Two Bridges” tour with a summer holiday with Cardiff Bus, helping to run a special summer service between the City Centre, Mermaid Quay and Penarth Pier.
Paul Dyer, Managing Director of Cardiff Bus, said: “We were really grateful to the team at Reading Buses helping us with our programme of Summer Special services this year.
“We are sure our customers will enjoy an open-top bus ride between the city, bay and Penarth on the roof top and we hope the roof top bus enjoys the summer visit to a sunny South Wales.“