READING Borough Council is bidding for government funding to improve bus services.
The Bus Service Improvement Plan outlines how the council and local bus operators will work together to deliver a better passenger experience over the next five years.
It has been drawn up in an effort to secure a share of £3 billion available to local councils from a central government funding package to help with covid recovery. It is also intended to reform bus services in the greater Reading area.
Prior to the pandemic, Reading boasted the second highest bus use per person in England outside of London, with more than 20 million passenger journeys every year.
Cllr Tony Page, the borough council’s lead for strategic environment, planning and transport, believes that Reading’s case is a strong one.
“A key thread through our strategy is working in partnership with all of Reading’s bus operators and neighbouring local authorities,” he said.
“A number of the future ambitions outlined in the document – such as integrated local ticketing between operators and lower and simpler fares – require a level of cooperation across operators and the council.”
The plan includes other measures, such as further decarbonising the bus fleet and increasing passenger safety.
The BSIP was discussed at the meeting of the strategic environment, planning and transport committee held last night, after we had gone to press.
For more information, visit www.reading.gov.uk/BSIP
