TWO new bus routes are to be extended to bring public transport to the new Ikea store, meaning Wokingham borough residents don’t need to drive to get their meatball fix.
Reading Buses has revealed that the yellow 26 route and the sky blue 15 services will be stopping at the Calcot based store, which is due to open this summer.
And the new routes are part of the Simply Reading fare zone, meaning that tickets can be purchased on the buses that serve Wokingham, Woodley and Lower Earley. Passengers can catch a Lion or Leopard into Reading town centre and then catch another bus to go straight to Ikea.
The yellow 26 operating from Reading via Southcote and Beansheaf every eight to 10 minutes, while the 15 operates half hourly during the week and a weekend service will also be provided to serve the store seven days a week from early to late by both routes.
Martijn Gilbert, chief executive officer of Reading Buses, said: “As people start to consider the new job opportunities at Ikea we thought it important to bring forward the announcement of our plans to serve the store so that people could understand what transport links will be available.
“We’re really looking forward to the store opening and believe that with two of our popular routes being extended to serve the store, the bus will provide an attractive transport choice for workers and shoppers alike”.
And the company aims to provide bus services that will match the store’s hours, including key shift change times, making it easy for staff to get too and from Ikea
“We will work with the store to ensure that our service meet all the key shift change times and that services connect in Reading town centre so they provide a good commuting route for not only those living along the routes, but anyone living in the town,” Mr Gilbert added.
“The improvements to the sky blue 15, which will commence on a trial basis, will also bring huge benefits to those living beyond Dee Park and in the Mayfair area who will have a new weekend service on the route.”
The full timetable and route details will be finalised and published nearer the time ready for the stores planned opening in the summer.
