West Berkshire Council offering free bus travel over Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend

West Berkshire Council is making bus travel free throughout the district over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend to help residents properly celebrate the royal occasion.

The council hopes this will allow people to meet up with friends and family and attend the variety of different Jubilee events across West Berkshire, while also helping the environment by keeping their cars off the road.

The idea for the free bus travel came after the council successfully offered similar initiatives to residents over last Christmas and the recent Easter weekend, where more than 6,000 tickets were taken up by residents.

Executive member for planning, transport and countryside Richard Somner (Con, Tilehurst South and Holybrook) said: “We are really pleased that the last two offers were a great success as it proves using the bus is a great way to travel and has helped in our decision to offer another weekend of free bus travel for those travelling within West Berkshire.

“There are lots of street parties taking place over the special weekend meaning some roads will be temporarily closed to allow the street parties to take place safely with no vehicle access so being able to find alternative ways of travel is necessary.

“We hope residents take advantage of this free offer by leaving their cars at home to do their bit for the environment while enjoying the celebrations over the Jubilee weekend at the events taking place across the district.”

Developed by West Berkshire Council in partnership with Reading Buses and Thames Travel, the free bus travel initiative will be valid on any Reading Buses, Newbury & District, and Thames Travel services within West Berkshire.

Free bus travel will be available over the entire Jubilee bank holiday, from Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5. However, those wishing to use buses over the weekend should check the council website to discover which routes will be running.

The full list of valid free travel bus routes and the days they will be operating can be found at https://www.westberks.gov.uk/transportchanges

Those who board one of the buses outside of West Berkshire will still need to pay for their ticket or use a valid concessionary bus pass.

A total of 6,008 tickets were issued and 2,440 passengers travelled on buses over the four days of the Easter bank holiday when this free bus travel initiative was last in place.

Mr Somner said: "We are pleased that the free Easter weekend bus travel initiative resulted in high usage across the district.

"This increase in footfall to the towns and businesses demonstrates our commitment to ensuring bus services continue to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to travel round the district.

"We look forward to continuing the offer of free travel weekends with our bus operators throughout the year."

Reading Buses' chief executive Robert Williams said: "We were delighted by the public reaction to the free travel offer for Easter. With over 6,000 people travelling for free, we can see the value in the council funding this to help tempt people out of their cars.

"Travelling by bus reduces the amount of congestion and improves air quality which is good for the local area and the planet."