Reading’s Bus Ridership Sees Significant Increase

Newly released government statistics reveal that bus usage in Reading has risen by over 11.4% in the past year. A total of 19.5 million bus journeys were recorded in the town between 2023 and 2024, marking an increase of two million trips compared to the preceding year. Excluding London, the borough now ranks third in England for bus passenger journeys per head of population, trailing only Brighton and Nottingham. A councillor from Reading Borough Council commented that the data “highlight how hugely important buses are for so many people”. This development follows the council’s receipt of £26 million in grant funding from the Department for Transport, allocated for its Bus Improvement Plan. The initiative encompasses the implementation of several new bus lanes across the town, with three already completed in London Road (Cemetery Junction) and two in Oxford Road. Additionally, a new pedestrian and cycle bridge is slated for installation over the River Kennet. John Ennis, Lead Councillor for climate strategy and transport, stated: “Through our bus service improvement plan, the council has been working with partners on several schemes to make bus travel even quicker, more reliable, convenient, cheaper and easier to use.” Furthermore, Reading central station was recently identified by the Office of Rail and Road as the ninth-busiest in the country outside of London. Mr Ennis further remarked: “The council intends to continue with its ambitious plans to encourage even more people to take public transport in preference to the private car, to reduce traffic congestion, cut carbon emissions and improve air quality to benefit the health of Reading’s residents.”