Keeping people moving around major towns and cities is always a challenge and it is particularly difficult in places like Reading where road space is at a premium.
Public transport must play a major role in any urban environment along with providing facilities to promote cycling and walking.
That is why I was encouraged to see two sets of official figures published recently which shows increased use of buses and trains in Reading.
I was also delighted with the announcement last week that Reading is to receive more than £9m Government funding for further improvements to local bus services.
It is the fourth year in a row we have seen an increase in bus passenger journeys in the borough. After the collapse in passenger numbers during Covid, we are now at 20 million journeys in 2024/25.
Reading continues to see the third highest bus use per head of population in England outside of London at 109.6, with only Nottingham and Brighton and Hove ahead of us. The national average is 62.4 passenger journeys per head.
The Government funding of £9.4m over four years will allow the Council to plan further investment to make bus travel even more attractive in Reading.
Reading is also well served by the railways with four stations within our borough.
I was particularly pleased to see a 43% increase in the number of passengers using Reading West station.
The Council worked with Network Rail and Great Western Railway on a £5m improvement project which saw the installation of ticket gates, improved lighting and CCTV cameras and a new station building with customer facilities, which opened in March last year. Passenger numbers have increased from 336,000 to around 482,000 in a year.
Reading’s newest train station at Green Park station is also doing well with around 221,000 visits in 2024/25.
It is great to see new lifts installed at Tilehurst station and the Council will continue to work with its rail partners to see further improvements in all stations.
Work also continues in partnership with Reading Buses to provide the best possible service to all parts of the borough. I am pleased that this has resulted in a much-improved service for residents living at Kennet Island in the new year.
They will benefit from a more regular and direct route in and out of town with the greenwave 50/50a running along the A33 relief road.
Passengers waiting at one of the 101 bus stops that have been fitted with new information displays should also notice a considerable improvement. They have replaced the old displays which had become faded and difficult to maintain.
The new equipment is easier to read, has faster response times and are more energy efficient, plus they have been fitted with audio announcements for customers with visual impairments.
Reading is, of course, a popular place for people to come and do their Christmas shopping and socialising and the Council has continued to offer reduced fares on the Winnersh and Mereoak park and rides to encourage people to use pubic transport. Return fares are only £2.50, including parking.
For those who have to drive into town, the Council has recently upgraded and expanded the Cattle Market Car Park, in Great Knollys Street.
There are now 120 spaces, improved lighting and a new brightly-lit pathway direct to Caversham Road.
Whatever way you are planning to travel around Reading, the Council is working hard to improve your journey.
