NO 2 BENEFITS - YES 2 BUSES

Council bosses in Reading increased council tax by 1.9 per cent to help bridge a Government funding shortfall of £13.4 million.

Meanwhile, the UK's first Scania-ADL gas-powered buses – part of an initial order of 20 for Reading Buses – have now been delivered. The temptation to maintain Reading’s allegiance with Scania meant that the order went to them rather than MAN.

Commenting on the delivery, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer James Freeman says, "When we ordered these vehicles last August, we were continuing our long history of innovation whereby we have consistently sought to operate at the leading edge, both in terms of efficiency and with regard to environmental standards.

With bitter experience of the 1990s gas bus experiments Freeman says: “The trial impressed me, and I wasn’t expecting to be impressed. It showed that new gas buses could work.”

Reading Borough Council still plans to cut spending and lose around 90 jobs.

 

In its move designed to reduce its carbon footprint, Reading Buses has so far invested £3.5m in the fleet of 20 gas-powered buses developed jointly by Scania and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL).

Among other budget measures, Reading Borough Council is reducing council tax benefit, increasing fees and charges for services and integrating the council's mental health team with Berkshire Hospital Foundation Trust.

Reading Buses has a further order pending for fourteen more Scania KUB270 / ADL Enviro 300SG.