READING Buses has announced a new fleet of buses as it marks the beginning of two weeks of climate events.
To mark the start of Reading Climate Festival, Reading Buses has invested in 53 new buses to improve the company’s coverage of routes.
Firstly 21 double-decker diesel buses will arrive before December to be used on the longer distance routes, including seven ear-marked for the route between Reading and Newbury.
The will improve the comfort and provisions of the services, encouraging more use of public transport on the roads.
They’ll be followed by 24 zero-emissions, double-decker buses for use on Reading’s busiest routes: Purple 17 and Claret 21.
These will have no engines or gearboxes, making the ride experience smoother and quieter.
It will also mean that some of the oldest buses elsewhere on the fleet, responsible for the most emissions, can be replaced.
Eight new single deck buses will complete the investment in October, completely renewing the Newbury fleet – the first such event since Reading Buses acquired the company in 2018.
It follows work with Reading Borough Council to secure funding through the ZEBRA 2 government scheme, which covers 75% of the difference in buying price and infrastructure.
The bus depot will also see upgrades of 13 fast chargers for electric vehicles, each able to charge two vehicles at a time.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses’ Chief Executive Officer, said; “These follow 19 identical double deckers that we have introduced on the lion 4/X4, The London Line 702 and Flightline 703 over the 18 months.
“They have been really well received and provide a fantastic journey experience.
“For customers on jet black 1, they will represent a further enhancement in comfort and luxury. They will have all the latest mod-cons that you associate with Reading Buses including; free WiFi, USB charging, tables, mood-lighting, sky lights, glazed staircases and modern, comfy seats with plenty of legroom, and next stop audio visual announcements.”
“These buses are being designed to suit both the narrow deeply rural roads that we serve across West Berkshire, and the busy urban corridors.
“They will be a real step change for our customers in the area, as we bring some more of the Reading Buses sparkle to Newbury & District.”
He added: “We have been undertaking extensive testing of demonstrators from a number of suppliers.
“The two things of paramount importance were the experience for the customers and experience for our drivers, before we considered the technical side of things.
“Of all the demonstrators, the new Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV has the best layout for customers on board, and the drivers who tested it were very impressed.
He explained: “The electric buses will also have a heat pump installed to provide another first – full air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter.
“They will still be easily able to run for a full day on these routes one charge, something that is extremely important to a busy 24/7 bus company.”
