The information in this section of the website is applicable from Monday 1st June 2009.
The fares on Reading Buses are especially set to make them simple to use. Each bus is equipped with a fare box into which you drop the fare to be paid. We are not able to give change so please ensure that you have the correct change available.
Newbury buses and FastTrack are not fitted with fare boxes therefore are able to provide change.
• A week is 7 consecutive days from the date of validation on the bus
• A month is 30 consecutive days from the date of validation on the bus
• A quarter is 90 consecutive days from the date of validation on the bus
Central Reading is mentioned throughout the fares section this covers the following stops:
Reading Station stops SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SI, SJ, SK, SL, SM, SQ, SR, SS, SW, SX, SY and SZ, Blagrave Street stop FW, Station Road stops FC and FD, Market Place stops MA, MB and MC, Duke Street/Kings Road stops ME, MF, MG and MH, Minster Street stops ML, MM, MP and MQ, Gun Street stops CK, CL, St. Mary’s Butts stops CM, CN, CR and CS, Cheapside area stops CU, CV, CW, CX and CZ, Friar Street stops FH, FJ, FL, FN, FP, FQ, FR, FS and FT, Greyfriars Road stop FG, Bridge Street stop MI, Castle Street stops CP and CQ
Area A (Greater Reading Urban Area) is the area bounded by the stops at Peppard Road (Rose Hill/Tower Close), Henley Road County Boundary, Woodley (all stops), Loddon Bridge (The George), Shinfield (Black Boy), Three Mile Cross (Post Office) and Ryeish Green School, Burghfield Road (Railway Bridge), Calcot Sainsbury's and Purley Post Office
Area B is the area between the Greater Reading Urban Area and the outer boundary at the following stops, Peppard Common (Unicorn), Theale (Wigmore Lane), Riseley and Tadley.
The Newbury/Thatcham Zonal area is the area bounded by the stops at Donnington Castle, Shaw Cemetery, Cold Ash Crossroads, Upper Bucklebury (Peaches Stores), Colthrop Mills turn, Thatcham Station, Bishops Green, Wash Common and Stockcross.
Network Travelcards are available for use on any Reading buses or Newbury buses services.
This ticket is valid for use on the following services:-
4, 5 and 6 (full route)
9 (Central Reading to Shinfield Park section)
20 and 21 (Central Reading to Pepper Lane, University section)
24 (Central Reading to Coley Park section)
111 (Central Reading to Hartley Court turn section)
This ticket is valid for use on the following services:-
15 (full route)
16 (Central Reading to Purley section)
17 (Central Reading to Tilehurst Bear Inn section)
18 (Central Reading to Calcot, Sainsbury's section)
26 and Vitality 1 (Central Reading to Calcot section)
28 (Central Reading to Tilehurst Triangle section).
33 (full route)
Vitality 2 and Vitality 3 (Central Reading to Burghfield Road (Railway Bridge) section)
This ticket is valid for use on the following services:
9 (Central Reading to Caversham Heights section)
23 and 24 (Central Reading to Caversham Park/Emmer Green section)
27 (full route)
Vitality 2 (Central Reading to Rose Hill/Tower Close section)
28 (Central Reading to Marchwood Avenue section)
This ticket is valid for use on the following services:-
9 (Central Reading to Wellington Avenue section via RBH)
17 (Central Reading to Wokingham Road Three Tuns section)
22 (Central Reading to Lower Earley section)
20, 21, 62, 63 and 64 (full route)
This ticket is valid for use in the West Reading zone and to Theale (Wigmore Lane).
Reading Busabouts are available for unlimited travel on the day of issue on many Reading Buses, Newbury Buses and First services (along Wokingham Road) within Area A (Greater Reading Urban Area).
Group Busabouts are defined as up to four people, any combination of adults and children.
Reading Busabouts are not valid on Football Services 70 - 79 inclusive, GreenPark FastTrack and Fasttrack Loddon Bridge. On NightTrack services they are valid upon payment of £1.00.
The Newbury & Thatcham Busabout is available for unlimited travel on all Newbury Buses services within the Newbury/Thatcham Zonal Area on the day of issue. There is no group version of this ticket.
Network Busabout tickets are issued on all local services operated by Reading Buses and Newbury Buses. They may be used for any journey on the day of issue operated by Reading Buses, Newbury Buses, First in Berkshire, Stagecoach Hants and Surrey and Stagecoach in Hampshire ('The Link' Newbury and Basingstoke only).
A group is defined as up to four people, any combination of adults and children.
Return fares are available at all times on Vitality 1, 2 and 3 and Reading Buses services numbered 100 and over, and Newbury Buses services outside the Newbury/Thatcham Zonal Area, except where the Adult Single fare is less than £1.80. They are not available on NightTrack services.
For returns covering Reading Buses and Newbury Buses services within Area A (Greater Reading Urban Area), please buy a Busabout ticket for unlimited travel within Area A. Please note: there are no return tickets within Area A.
Child Return tickets are available on Vitality 1, 2 and 3, S Prefix school services, Reading Buses services numbered 100 and over, and Newbury Buses services within the Newbury and Thatcham zonal area, except before 9.00am on schooldays.
They are not available on NightTrack services.
Certain Concessionary Permits are valid for the purchase of Return fares at Concessionary rates. They are not available within the Newbury/Thatcham Zonal Area or on NightTrack services.
Customers who are aged 60-64 and hold a valid Reading Borough Council concessionary pass will be entitled to half price single fares before 9am (from 04:30am).
After 10.00pm no child fares will be issued. Child Travelcards and Child Return fares will remain valid however.
Children less than 5 years of age may accompany and adult fare paying customer free of charge providing they do not occupy a seat required by a fare paying customer. Unaccompanied children will be charged at the appropriate child fare for the journey being made. Where a child under 5 is accompanied by another child then either both pay the child fare or one child should pay the adult fare and the other travel free – whichever is the cheaper.
Children aged between 5 and 15 will be charged the appropriate child fare.
PLEASE NOTE: The 'READI-id' card will entitle the bearer to child rate fares and travel products. Child rate fares and travel products will only be available to those aged 14 and 15 on production of the READI-id card. After this date any child over the age of 14 without a READI-id will be charged full adult fares, so it is important that an application is made as soon as possible.
After their sixteenth birthday children will be charged Adult fares. The exception to this is children aged 16, 17 and 18 in full time education and in posession of a READI-id card who will be charged the approproate child fare.
There is a small minority of students and young people whose poor behaviour causes distress and offence to other customers on our services. As well as being unpleasant, bad behaviour can sometimes escalate into dangerous situations which can endanger other people’s safety.
Click here for more information.
If you are over 60 years old you may be eligible for a free bus pass. These passes are issued by your local council. For more details, please contact the council for the area you live in.
Click here for more information on terms and conditions of topping up your Smartcard.
Great Knollys Street, Reading RG1 7HH