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
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.
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 to find paypoint information for topping up your Smartcard.
Great Knollys Street, Reading RG1 7HH