READING Buses has confirmed price increases on its services.
The rise will come into place from Monday, September 5, and is the result of a “significant change” in the way some people work and shop, as well as the impact of inflation.
Single fares will generally increase by 10-20p and return/day tickets by 30-40p.
The flat single fare within Reading will be £2.30 on bus or £2.20 on the Reading Buses app.
The day ticket within Reading will be £4.50 on bus or £4.30 on the app.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses chief executive officer, said: “There has been a significant change in the way some people work and shop, which means that overall demand for bus services has changed. We need to adjust service levels accordingly.”
Mr Williams said the fares increase is partly to help close the revenue shortfall left by the government funding coming to an end, and partly to reflect inflationary pressures on items such as vehicle components and fuel, and to fund a proposed pay increase for its employees.
Discounted Lower Caversham, short-hop and South Reading fares will be available for £1.20, £1.50 and £2.00 on bus.
The simplyReading 7 day, easysaver10 and daysaver5 will increase by £1.
Mr Williams added: “The weekly and daysaver5 prices were frozen at our last fares increase, so this is the first increase to these tickets since before the pandemic.
“Tickets purchased on our app will continue to be cheaper than buying on bus or from the bus shop to help minimise the impact of the increase.”
“I appreciate that fare increases are never welcome news, but our fares in Reading will still represent excellent value for money and be some of the lowest in the country.”
For more information, visit: reading-buses.co.uk
