Free bus journeys in countdown to Christmas

Journeys on Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses and Carousel Buses will be free on Saturdays

Free bus journeys are being offered in the lead-up to Christmas to encourage people to use public transport.

Passengers in Wokingham, Berkshire, will travel free every Saturday from 16 November until 21 December.

Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses and Carousel Buses will honour the scheme, which is being funded by the government.

It is hoped the project will reduce the number of cars on the roads during the busy festive period.

Some Sunday services will also be made free to coincide with local events.

Those visiting the Wokingham Extravaganza on 24 November will be offered free rides on the 4 and X4 service.

The scheme will also be available on the 13/14 and 850 Orange services on 1 December, for those visiting the Woodley Winter Carnival.

About £400,000 of funding will come from the government’s Bus Back Better scheme, a national plan to deliver better bus services.

'Shop locally'

It comes as the use of buses as a form of transport was found to be significantly lower than before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Half of all bus travel is now for leisure, eating out and shopping, an executive report read.

"Free bus travel is offered at a time when the cost of living and household expenditure is highest," it said.

"The proposal will allow residents to shop locally, supporting local businesses in villages, on high streets and in town centres."