More than 2.5million Reading All-Bus tickets have been sold since the groundbreaking new scheme was introduced last year.

The all day ticket, which can be used on services operated by several bus companies in the greater Reading area, has saved passengers more than £4 million in total over the last 18 months.

The initial discounted rate is ending soon but the ticket will continue to offer excellent value for money and will still be cheaper than the equivalent all-day ticket which existed prior to the Reading All-Bus scheme.

Reading All-Bus was introduced in March 2023 after the Council secured £26m funding from the Department for Transport for its Bus Service Improvement Plan, and around 2.7m tickets have been sold since.

From Monday 2 September, the price of a Reading All-Bus ticket will be £4 for an adult when purchased using a bus company app or Tap on, Tap off payment on board. An adult paper ticket purchased on board with cash or card will cost £4.50.

A Reading All-Bus youth day ticket will cost £3 using app or cash payment and group day tickets, for up to four people, will cost £5.50 for travelling off-peak and £10 peak-time.

The multi-operator ticket allows passengers to travel around the greater Reading area all day with several different bus companies, including Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, Carousel Buses and Thames Travel.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“The Reading All-Bus ticket provides great value for money for anyone travelling around greater Reading.

“Passengers have taken advantage of the special discounted rates and made big savings in the time Reading All-Bus has been in operation. The new fares are still lower than the previous all-day ticket and we have kept prices down for young people and group fares.

“The investment in our excellent bus services through the Bus Service Improvement Plan means more passengers can enjoy even faster, more reliable and better-integrated bus services in Reading. Taking the bus takes traffic off our roads, reduces carbon emissions, improves air quality and benefits the health of Reading residents.”

Other projects financed by the Bus Service Improvement Plan so far include Tap on, Tap off contactless payments; new community bus routes the Buzz 9, Buzz 18 and Sunday park and ride services; phase five of the South Reading Bus Rapid Transit scheme; 52 bus stop upgrades and a package of town centre public transport enhancements.