Bus prices to rise after government funding ends

Bus tickets prices in Reading are set to rise as government funding comes to an end.

The borough council said five million All-Bus tickets had been sold since the scheme was introduced in March 2023 as part of its £26m Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said the council's scheme had brought bus usage close to pre-Covid levels, and that the authority remained "committed" to making public transport more attractive.

But he said the government funding "was never going to last forever" and the council could not subsidise bus travel.

The All-Bus tickets allow passengers all-day travel on services run by several different operators in the Reading area.

From Monday, the ticket will cost £4.90 on an app and £5.40 if purchased on the bus. Currently, it costs £4 on the app and £4.50 on the bus.

The Young Persons All-Bus ticket - currently £3 if bought on the app - will cost £4.20, and the Group All-Bus ticket will cost £10.80 during the peak period and £8.80 off-peak.

The council has introduced a number of improvements to its bus services, including the introduction of tap-on-tap-off payment and adding new services, such as those to and from Reading Green Park railway station.

"The council's BSIP has so far been successful in helping to bring passenger numbers close to the level they were before the Covid pandemic," said Mr Ennis.

"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.

"Encouraging more people to travel by bus takes cars off roads, reduces congestion, improves air quality and benefits the health of Reading residents."

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