Politicians in Reading have reacted to the ‘unwelcome news’ that a bus service between the town centre and Caversham will be cancelled in a few weeks.
Reading Buses has announced that it will be axing its Pink 22 bus route on Monday, July 20.
The route runs in a loop between the town centre and Caversham Heights.
Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, is pushing for an alternative arrangement to serve passengers.
He said: “I am concerned about the impact that the closure of the Pink 22 bus will have on our local community, and I want to discuss this with residents and see what alternative services might be available.
“Bus routes are important and local bus services particularly help older residents, teenagers and commuters.
“Public transport can also help protect the environment by reducing car use and cutting emissions and congestion.
“However, I do also understand the advice from Reading Buses that sadly the company can no longer run the 22 because it has been making a considerable loss on the route.
“The number of passengers on the 22 has fallen significantly since the pandemic.
“Ticket prices on the 22 have also been undercut by the rival X40, which is run by a larger privately owned company, which can afford to cut fares.
“At present I am working with both Reading Buses and Thames Travel, which runs the X40, to see what services might be possible to replace the 22.
“This includes looking at a range of options, including discussing whether the X40 could increase its frequency or cover a longer portion of the 22 route.
“The closure of the 22 does not affect Reading Buses’ 81 school and commuter route, which is continuing to run on the same route as the 22, with a bus leaving in the morning for the town centre and returning in the mid-afternoon.”
Mr Rodda is conducting a residents’ survey about the cancellation of the service, which can be found here: https://mattroddamp.com/pink22survey .
Councillor Isobel Ballsdon (Conservative, Caversham Heights), who represents the area, said: “Since the announcement, lots of residents have been in touch with me to express their concern about this unwelcome news.
“The Number 22 is a vital service for many people in our community, and its loss would have a significant impact.
“My colleague, Saadia Saadat, and I will be mounting a campaign to try and get this decision reversed. So many residents depend on the Number 22, particularly younger and older people who do not drive and those living on, or just off, Kidmore Road.
“We will be working with local residents and stakeholders to make the strongest possible case for retaining this important bus service. If the Number 22 affects you or your family, please get in touch and share your experiences: Isobel.Ballsdon@reading.gov.uk .”
Meanwhile, cllr Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands), the candidate for the Reading Central during the 2024 general election, said: “Great, more cars on the bridge then?
“We need to be expanding the service to make taking the bus a no-brainer wherever you are in Reading.”
