Proposed Changes to Number 9 Bus Route.

There has been a significant response to the consultation exercise by Reading Buses on route changes. You can read CADRA's submission here.

Reading Buses have now drafted new proposals for consultation.  Click here to link to the appropriate Reading Buses webpage.

Email: consultation@reading-buses.co.uk

They have proposed a through service from Caversham Heights to the Royal Berkshire Hospital every 30 minutes, Route number 22. The other service will run from Caversham Heights to Central Reading every 15 minutes , Route number 22A.

We have heard from James Freeman, Chief Executive of Reading Transport. He says:

“We shall be considering CADRA's responses and all the responses very carefully before coming to our final conclusions, but I can perhaps reassure you that the route from Caversham Heights into town will be past the station first (and not via Friar Street as we originally suggested)”.

One of our residents had a reply from the Department of Transport regarding changes to bus services in general. Local Authorities such as Reading Borough have the voluntary power to subsidise socially necessary bus services where these are not running commercially, for instance the No.9 Sunday service will continue due to a subsidy from Reading Borough Council.

The Dept. of Transport also referred us to the Bus Appeals Body (BAB). The BAB's Terms of Reference cover operational matters such as running to time, charging the correct fare and the behaviour of staff. The BAB cannot deal with policy and commercial issues such as the level of fares, the places that buses run to or the timetables that are offered.

Let us know what you think. Email us at info@CADRA.org.uk