Lucky sevens launched for Three Mile Cross

A CHANGE in bus operator means a new enhanced service for Three Mile Cross.

On Monday, Reading Buses took over the Route 7 between Reading town centre and Fleet, via Hartley Wintney.

And the new service also includes Swallowfield, Spencers Wood and Riseley, running from around 6.30am to 11.30pm on weekdays, 7.30am to 11.30pm on Saturdays and 10.30am to 6.30pm on Sundays – times vary according to the route used and the pick-up points.

The route between Three Mile Cross and Reading will be part of the Reading Buses Simply Network fare zone. Seven day tickets cost £20 and 30 day tickets for £75, with discounts for under 18s. They are available online as well as on the Reading buses smartphone app.

The changes have come about after Reading Buses took over part of Stagecoach’s existing Reading to Aldershot route.

Martijn Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, is pleased that the company has taken on the route.

He said: “The northern part of route 7 is a great fit with the Reading Buses network. Its acquisition will harmonise the current arrangement where we are the operator of evening and Sunday journeys at the Reading end ( under contract to Wokingham Borough Council), meaning that we will be able to provide a daily co-ordinated service to many customers.”

In Reading, only journeys that run on school days will use Kendrick Road, home to The Abbey School and close to Reading Boys and Kendrick School.

All other journeys will use Southampton Street towards Reading and Silver Street on the way out of Reading.

Special single and return fares will allow through travel in both directions between the Reading Buses and Stagecoach services and existing Stagecoach season tickets will continue to be accepted by Reading buses until their expiry.

Mr Gilbert added: “As the Reading travel to work area continues to grow with new housing and other amenities coming on stream, it is important that areas such as Three Mile Cross, Swallowfield, Riseley and Fleet are connected to Reading with good quality and integrated local transport.

“As part of the Reading Buses network we are able to provide this facility and we look forward to further enhancing the service and attracting more people on board the route in this important area of growth.”

For further information on the full route and timetable log on to www. reading-buses.co.uk