READING Borough Council has welcomed the announcement of eight new green buses which are set to join the town’s transport fleet amid the Bus Services Bill.
A government investment of nearly £39m will see scores of zero-emissions buses given to towns and cities around the UK, including eight which are set to be given to Reading.
The funding means that the already secured fleet of 24 electric buses will now grow to 32 in total, following a successful joint bid by Reading Buses and the council.
The investment will also see four extra charging points as part of the plans, representing around £1.3m of funding for the town.
The eight buses will form part of the Yellow 26 route running between Calcot and the town centre.
Reading Buses already has one of the most environmentally friendly fleets in the country and the council says the arrival of 32 electric buses will support its aims of encouraging public transport use, reducing carbon emissions, and improving air quality for the health of Reading residents.
Alexander Dennis double deck Enviro 400 EV buses are on order and are due to start running on the popular purple 17 and claret 21 routes in August.
The eight additional buses are expected to be the same model, which offers high back seating, USB charging sockets, social seating areas, full air-conditioning, audio-visual next stop announcements, and improved accessibility.
They are due to arrive in summer 2026.
The charging points are currently being installed in the Reading Buses Great Knollys Street depot.
The latest DfT funding of £1,348,680 provides for 75% of infrastructure costs at the bus depot and 75% of the difference in cost of a zero-emission bus compared with a regular diesel bus, with the remainder being funded by Reading Buses.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “The £1.3 million government funding for more electric buses in Reading is excellent news.
“I am already looking forward to the arrival of the 24 new electric buses on the busy 17 and 21 routes this summer and the new electric fleet on the yellow 26 will also be very welcome.
“The number of people traveling around Reading by bus is on the increase and the introduction of these new double-deckers will provide a smooth, comfortable journey for passengers while having zero impact on air quality.
“Through the government-funded £26m Bus Service Improvement Plan, the Council is working to make travelling around Reading by bus even easier, more reliable, cheaper and more convenient. These new vehicles will make taking the bus even more attractive.”
Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, said: “We are delighted that we will be able to continue rolling electric buses out on to more routes in 2026.
“Our new electric buses promise to bring significant improvements to the journey experience for our customers, from a smoother ride to full air-conditioning provided by an electric heat pump.
“This is all whilst emitting zero emissions at the tailpipe.”
