WITH STREET parties, concerts and celebrations galore planned for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Reading Buses is aiming to help residents get to the party without worrying about who’s driving.
The Great Knollys Street-based firm will offer a number of special services, including running its Jubilee-themed bus, as well as its open-top bus.
Most services will run to a Sunday timetable on the bank holiday Thursday and Friday, but the company will offer an enhanced evening timetable on both days to help people get to and from the various festivities.
Normal weekend timetables will apply on Saturday and Sunday.
Its Green Line 702 service, which has some routes that start in Reading, offers a scenic tour through Windsor on its way to Buckingham Palace Road in central London. The Jubilee bus will be used on this route.
From Thursday, June 2, through to Sunday, June 5, this jubilee bus leaves Reading at 8.40am, arriving in London at 10.34am. It leaves London at 7.25pm.
Other services leave the Ding at 7.40am and 9.45am (9.40am on Saturday, June 4), returning at 5pm and 8.35pm (9.45pm on Saturday).
A group ticket for up to four people costs £40 on the Green Line mobile app or £50 from the driver.
In Reading the popular open-top bus will be in service on the purple 17 route, weather permitting.
The company’s CEO, Robert Williams, said: “Our open-top bus is always a popular sight when it’s out and about, so we have planned where it will be over the four-day weekend to give people more opportunity to seek it out for a ride.
“Full details will be on our website and social media, and normal bus fares will apply so day and season ticket holders can travel for no additional charge.”
And those who live in West Berkshire can enjoy free travel across the Jubilee weekend for journeys that start within the local authority’s region.
“All bus journeys starting in West Berkshire will be completely free of charge for the entire weekend thanks to an ongoing partnership with West Berkshire Council to encourage people to leave their cars at home and do their bit for the environment,” Mr Williams said.
“It will also be great to see our Jubilee bus in Windsor and London, it is a great option for those looking to make a day of it from Reading, and we’re delighted to again be supporting events in West Berkshire and Newbury.”
Full timetables for the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday are available on the Reading Buses website www.reading-buses.co.uk
