Wokingham Market Place was the venue on Monday for the launch of a fleet of new buses.
In a bid to encourage more people onto the bus, Reading Buses launched the new vehicles in what is regarded as the resumption of major investment in its fleet.
The new buses have special features that include coffee shop-style flooring and tables, as well as glazed staircases and skylights for more natural light.
The fleet will be running on the Reading Buses lion 4 and X4 routes between Reading and Bracknell, and through Wokingham.
The company launched the buses by parking one in Market Place outside Wokingham Town Hall – much to the delight of many passers-by who were interested in the new features that also includes comfortable high-back seats.
Following the launch, Reading Buses have said the new vehicles have already wowed the public, with customers telling the company that many of the features will make them more desirable to use.
The vehicles also have USB, USB-C wireless charging facilities, seat-back phone holders, tables for working, tinted windows, and an air chill system upstairs to help cool customers on warm days.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses chief executive officer, said: “We are thrilled to introduce these new buses to the lion routes – the first major investment in the lion since we started running it in 2015.
“This represents the next level of comfort and class for our customers and repeats the specification we have successfully used on our prestigious London Line 702 and Flightline 703 buses.
“These eight new lion buses, plus one painted in our silver generic colours for use on any route when needed, will encourage even more people to get on the bus and take advantage of the government £2 single fare cap that is set to continue until 2025.”
Reading Buses gave away branded pens and shopping bags at the event, as well as timetables with information on the route.
To promote the service which runs up to every 20 minutes along the key A329 corridor, guests from the local authorities the route connects were invited to officially launch the buses.
The delegation included the Mayor of Reading, councillor Tony Page, Wokingham’s Deputy Mayor, councillor Robert Comber, Wokingham Borough councillors Prue Bray and Paul Fishwick, Wokingham Town Council’s Katy Hughes, Marianna Pentek and Morag Malvern, Robert Williams from Reading Buses and other officials from councils and the bus company.
Robert added: “In addition to the £2 single fare, customers can also take advantage of our tap on, tap off system to be sure of never having to pay more than a day ticket when they travel.
“This also takes away all the worry of getting the best value ticket on the day, as it’s done automatically.”
