Changes to Reading Buses fares in place from today
Fares for Reading Buses have increased from today (Monday).
The company cited increased costs and changes to government policies as the reasons for the changes.
But it said the impact should be minimal to commuters, especially if they switch to period or carnet type tickets.
Single fares will increase by 10p, but are still less than the £3 Government fare cap. The £3 fare cap will remain for longer distance journeys.
The simplyReading day ticket will cost £4.50 when bought from the company’s mobile app or by using tap on, tap off. It will cost £5 when bought from the driver or £4 for young people.
CEO Robert Williams said of the changes: “Unfortunately, the government funding that supported the reduced price of the Reading All-Bus day ticket came to an end in March, which brings about changes to our day tickets.
“We are reintroducing our simplyReading day and group tickets, for travel on all Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses services, which will be cheaper than an All-Bus ticket.”
The simplyReading group day ticket allows any combination of up to four people to travel together all day for £8 off peak (after 9.30am Monday to Fridays, anytime at weekends or bank holidays), and £10 during peak times (Monday to Fridays before 9.30am).
The group day ticket can be bought on both its app and from the driver.
The Reading All-Bus day ticket will still be available to travel on any Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, Carousel Buses and Thames Travel service, but will cost more than the simplyReading price.
A new evening ticket will be introduced for travel after 7pm in either the simplyReading (£4) or simplyReading and Wokingham zones (£5).
These tickets will offer unlimited travel for the remainder of the day in the zone they are bought in.
An adult easysaver10 (10 single journeys), daysaver5 (five day tickets) give more flexibility whilst still providing big discounts compared to the on-the-day fares.
A seven day weekly ticket will cost £18.50 from the Reading Buses app for the simplyReading zone.
It will continue to sell some seven day tickets outside of Reading, which will only be available on its app or smartcard.
Visit the Reading Buses website for full details of all fare changes.
