A key bus route between Arborfield and Wokingham could be increased to twice an hour.
Residents have been calling for more frequent public transport services for Arborfield and its surrounding villages, which are facing major housing developments.
A survey undertaken by Wokingham Borough Council discovered locals felt isolated ny existing public transport arrangements, with the main service into Wokingham town centre at only one per hour.
One respondent said transport ‘controls my ability to work’, while another said they ‘can’t get to see friends in town easily as I live in the countryside’.
The authority is proposing to increase the frequency of Service 3 from hourly to every 30 minutes between Arborfield and Wokingham, Monday to Saturday.
This service already runs every 15 minutes between Arborfield and Reading at peak times, and every 30 minutes at off-peak times.
It connects new development south of the M4 with Arborfield, Barkham, Finchampstead and Wokingham, and provides direct access to the Royal Berkshire hospital, Wokingham hospital, two rail stations, two secondary schools and Reading town centre.
The increased service would be funded through developers contributions secured through section 106 agreements.
Just over £3.6 million of developer funding has been secured for bus services in the area, with a small proportion set to expire in January 2029.
The nature of the legal agreement means that funding ‘cannot be spent anywhere else in the borough’ as it ‘must benefit the residents of new homes in Arborfield’.
An executive report said the new scheme would cost an estimated £270,000 next financial year, and an estimated £302,000 the year after.
Investing in the Service 3 will directly benefit residents in Shinfield, Finchampstead, Barkham and Wokingham, the report said.
The report, published ahead of an executive meeting tonight (Thursday, January 30), said: “More frequent and reliable bus services facilitate fairer access to employment and education as well as promoting healthy and sustainable communities.
“Local bus services provide opportunities for affordable travel, greater independence and a reduced risk of isolation, especially for those with disabilities, younger people, older people, those on low income and residents receiving care.”
If approved, the new service would begin in May 2025 and will be run by Reading Buses.
A final decision will be taken by Wokingham Borough Council’s executive this evening.
