New plans for Reading’s clarets

Reading Bus is to implement new timetables on its 19 and 19a and claret routes 20, 20a and 21, which come into effect on 7 July. The current 19/19a arrangement, alongside claret 20/20a, will be replaced by the new ‘nineteens’ services. The three different ‘nineteens’ will combine to provide a 20 minute frequency between central Reading, the Royal Berkshire Hospital and Whiteknights Road/Earley Gate. The claret 21 will retain its current route and run a boosted ten minute daytime service. From 1 September it will run 24 hours a day along its entire route, half hourly between 23.00 and 03.00 and then hourly after until the daytime frequency restarts. From September 22, during the university term times, there will be additional buses numbered 21a between Central Reading and the University which, when combined with claret 21, will provide a five minute services between these two points. Other alterations to initial plans following consultation comments include an increased frequency of the ‘nineteens’ during peak commuter times and a special fare for Fairwater Drive residents to transfer between orange 14 and the nineteens.

Reading Buses Marketing Manager, Jake Osman, said, ‘Some of our proposals were quite controversial and we had over 300 responses to our consultation. As a result of this and discussions with local groups and councillors, we have managed to make some considerable changes to our initial proposals that should please many people who at first were concerned about our plans.’