Reading’s under 19s partnership . . .

Students have been given an opportunity to develop their talents through a new partnership between Reading Buses and Reading College with the target of attracting more under 19’s to use the bus now and in the future.

After three years of operating the Solo scheme for under 19s bus travel, Reading Buses is seeking the students help towards a re-brand which will take the scheme forward for the next two or three years.

Jake Osman, Reading Buses Marketing and Communications Manager, said,  ‘At the same time as awareness and use (of Solo) has grown, so has the relationship between under 19’s and our drivers improved so much without the requirement for ID verification. Now, we feel the time is right to launch the next phase in our under 19s bus ticket/smartcard which allows young people to travel at a reduced rate without the need to show ID.’

Said Federica Barrella, Group Marketing Assistant for Activate Learning at Reading College:  ‘Co-creating curriculum with Reading Buses has been fantastic for the college and its learners.  Business students have been given an opportunity to work on a ‘live’ Marketing brief, essentially bringing their curriculum to life. The shortlisted finalists were given the opportunity to present their concept ideas and marketing campaigns to Martijn Gilbert and his senior team along with Ray Stenning of Best Impressions in an ‘The Apprentice’ style showcase.’

. . . and Open Day

A bus of the future display will be one of the highlights of the forthcoming Reading Buses Open Day. This year’s event, with all profits from the day for Reading Buses charity of the year Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), will highlight what could be on board buses between now and 2050.

‘Come along on Sunday July 3 and see what you think about our views on the future bus travel,’ invites Chief Executive Officer Martijn Gilbert, ‘We also want to see what our customers and visitors can come up with too.’

The gates at Reading Buses Great Knollys Street depot will open at 11.00 am and there will be an array of activities, stalls and events to keep families and friends entertained.  A cavalcade around the town at the end of the day (4.00 pm) will showcase the bright and colourful buses that are run by Reading Buses.

The Mayor will be guest of honour to open the day which last year, with the help of some generous sponsors, raised over £6,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society, a figure that Reading Buses would like to break this year.