READING Borough Council has released figures showing that bus usage levels have grown by more than 11% in Reading in the last year.
Statistics from the Department for Transport show that 2 million more journeys were taken in the borough in the 2023-2024 period, bringing the total up to 19.5m.
This means the borough has the third-highest number of bus passenger journeys per head of population in England, outside of London, after Brighton and Nottingham.
The 11.4% increase is 54% above the average growth in England, at 7.4%, and double that of the south-east average, 4.7%.
Reading is one of only three local transport authorities which had more than 100 journeys per head per year, with 109.4.
This is 74% above the England average, 62.9, and 240% above the south-east average, 32.1.
The news comes as Reading Buses has toasted their success at the UK Bus Award, where the company took home the UK’s Top Shire Operator Award.
It also follows continued work by the council to encourage greater use of public transport through its £26m Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
The Council was awarded £26m grant funding for its BSIP programme by the DfT in January last year to improve services to encourage more people to travel by bus in Reading.
The BSIP has already seen the implementation of new bus lanes around the town, three of which have already been delivered in London Road at Cemetery Junction, and two in Oxford Road.
Phase 5 of the South Reading Bus Rapid Transit scheme is currently under way to allow buses to avoid pinch points on the route, while retaining the same capacity for all other traffic, including a new pedestrian and cycle bridge that will be installed over the River Kennet.
It also expanded community Buzz 9 and Buzz 18 bus services, creation of the Reading All-Bus multi-operator discount scheme with tap on, tap off technology and discounted £1 fare for parking and return journeys on park and ride services.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “The latest government figures show a big increase in the number of people using Reading’s excellent bus network.
“They highlight how hugely important buses are for so many people travelling around the borough, whether it be for work or pleasure.
“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.
He added: “These encouraging statistics follow on from recent news that usage of Reading’s train stations are on the increase.
“The Council intends to continue with its ambitious plans to encourage even more people to take public transport in preference to the private car, to reduce traffic congestion, cut carbon emissions and improve air quality to benefit the health of Reading’s residents.”
