A two week trial by Reading Buses of the iconic New Routemaster
bus from London
is to be one of the latest exciting models on the market that the company will
be testing this summer.
The stylish New Routemaster will be in service in Reading on their flagship
purple 17 route from August 17. A dedicated crew will include a conductor
who will take fares from people as they board.
The Reading Buses summer bus trials are designed to look at new
and different types of buses which will shape their future vehicle purchasing
as well as deciding interior specification.
As a key part of the summer bus trials, Reading Buses will be
looking to their customers and staff to help format their future thinking on
which buses are best.
First to impress will be Mercedes who will bring two different
lengths of their Citaro bus that will run on the Loddon Bridge
park and ride route.
This will be followed by the ‘super fuel efficient’
Optare Metrocity which will split its time between the park and ride and the
company’s Newbury depot.
“It is with special thanks to Transport for London
and the manufacturer Wrightbus that we will see this vehicle running around Reading on our purple 17
route in August,” said Martijn.
“After proving to be a massive draw at our recent Open Day,
the stylish New Routemaster, with its three doors for speed of entry and exit,
will now operate as a special ‘extra’ bus to supplement the daytime
service on purple route 17.”
He said further trial buses will include the Wrightbus Streetdeck
with its extreme modern styling, including a glass staircase and ceiling
panels.
“We will also be trialling an innovative new hybrid electric
re-powering system from a company called Vantage and this offers up to 4km of
running in silent zero emissions mode.
“Our customers deserve – and of course demand –
more. Over recent years we have seen numerous customer innovations on
board public transport and vehicle technologies have also continued to improve.
“It is important that in Reading and surrounding area we continue to
meet the growing customer, economic and environmental needs of the community.
“This exciting summer of bus trials,” added Martijn,
“will allow us to choose the very best customer features, combined with
optimal vehicle performance to continue to offer our customers and stakeholders
a class leading public transport system.”
