READING Borough Council has announced that government subsidies are set to end for Reading’s All-Bus tickets, which have helped save passengers over £5 million since 2023.
More than five million All-Bus tickets have been sold since the introduction of the scheme, which came as part of the council’s £26 million Bus Service Improvement Plan.
The ticket allows all-day travel on services run by several different bus operators in the Reading area.
Government funding, which subsidised the scheme, is now coming to an end which means the ticket will no longer be available in its discounted form.
From Monday, June 2, until at least the end of 2025, the costs of a Reading All-Bus ticket will be £4.90 from an app, and £5.40 on the bus from the driver.
The Young Persons All-Bus ticket will cost £4.20, the Group All-Bus ticket will cost £10.80 during the peak period and £8.80 off-peak.
All-Bus tickets can continue to be used on all Reading Buses, Thames Travel, Carousel and Thames Valley Buses services within the simply Reading area.
Passengers will be able to purchase cheaper tickets for use on each individual operators’ services only.
The council secured £26 million in government funding to deliver a programme of bus service improvements in April 2022, aiming to increase bus passenger numbers after patronage fell significantly because of the COVID pandemic.
Figures released in November 2024 showed there had been an 11% increase in bus passenger journeys to 19.5m in 2023/24.
Reading continues to have the third highest number of passenger journeys per head of population in England, outside of London.
Elsewhere in the council’s improvement plan, contactless Tap-on, Tap-off payment for buses has been introduced, alongside new Green Park services such as Buzz 9, Buzz 18, and the 650 services on Sundays.
It also saw the introduction of new bus lanes in Oxford Road and London Road and subsidised fares of only £1 for return journey and parking on Winnersh and Mereoak Park & Ride services.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “The council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) has so far been successful in helping to bring passenger numbers close to the level they were before the COVID pandemic.
“Reading already had an excellent bus service and the BSIP funding has allowed us to introduce a wide range of improvements to make bus journeys even more reliable, convenient, easier, faster and cheaper.
He explains: “Encouraging more people to travel by bus takes cars off roads, reduces congestion, improves air quality and benefits the health of Reading residents.
“Of course, the government funding was never going to last forever and, unfortunately, the Council does not have the resources available to continue subsidising bus travel at the same level.
“This inevitably means that some of the BSIP benefits will be reduced, but we are committed to continue working on making public transport even more attractive in the future.”
He added: “I am pleased that a further injection of government cash received in February means that the Council can make improvements to the Buzz 9 and 18 services, which have been widely welcomed by the communities they serve, as well as increasing Sunday services in south Reading.”
Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, said: “Our fares will continue to be amongst the lowest in the country, alongside our network of frequent services and ongoing investment in new higher quality buses.
“The simplyReading day ticket for unlimited travel on Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses services will be £4.50 on our app and when using tap on tap off on the bus, or £5 when requested from the driver.
“We are also reintroducing a lower price for day tickets purchased after 7pm of just £4.”
He explained: ““We have introduced a raft of network enhancements over the last two years, including frequency enhancements on leopard 3, lion 4/4a, purple 17, claret 21, pink 25/25a, royal blue 33…
“The introduction of aqua 28 to Caversham and Henley, and the 28a via Binfield Heath, following the closure of Arriva’s route 800/850, including a full evening and Sunday service
“The introduction of White Knight 20 direct to Reading University in place of claret spritzer 21a, and working with local authorities to introduce buzz 9, buzz 18, azure 43/93, and the reopening of Winnersh Triangle park & ride 500.
“[It also includes] improved punctuality on other routes with additional resources to maintain the same frequency.”
He continued: ““In the summer, 24 new zero emission electric buses will be introduced on purple 17 and claret 21.
“This follows eight additional sustainably sourced biomethane fuelled buses entering the fleet for new services, and 24 high specification low emission diesel buses for longer distance routes.
“This represents an investment of over £21m in vehicles alone.
“Last year we were honoured to be named the best bus company in the country outside the city regions at the prestigious UK Bus Awards, and intend to continue building on that.
“We are especially proud to be a locally owned and managed company for the residents of Reading–the enhancements added through the Bus Service Improvement Plan supplement this nicely.”
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Thames Travel and Carousel Buses, said: “We’re proud to play our part in the Reading Bus Service Improvement Plan, and the improvements made by the council using the BSIP funding have given us the confidence to invest in, and grow our service offering in the borough.
“This has been seen through recent evening and Sunday improvements made to our 850 route, along with the introduction of our new route 127 to Maidenhead.
“Over the summer, we will be launching a £3m investment in new vehicles for our X40 service, which will see the service increased to every 20 minutes – delivering improved connectivity for Caversham.
“The All-Bus ticket has been particularly valuable for passengers using the corridors where our services operate, allowing people to catch the first bus that comes along, regardless of the operator, so we’re really pleased the ticket will continue to be available.”
