There will be two special star attractions to make Reading Buses next Open Day – often known as the Family Fun Day – very different from the previous six.
On display for the first time at the Reading Buses Great Knollys Street depot on Sunday June 14 will be the company’s world’s fastest bus ‘Bus Hound’ as well as a brand new Routemaster bus from London – the first one to be seen in Reading.
The day, which this year is in aid of Alzheimer’s Society, also offers the chance for visitors to go behind the scenes with tours of the workshop and control room as well as many other attractions for all of the family such as the ever popular ride through the bus wash.
While on display, there will be a raffle to win a driving experience in the record breaking single deck Reading Buses vehicle which achieved a top speed of 80.73 miles per hour and an average speed over a full lap of the circular track of 76.785 mph.
The record was completed by the distinctive cow-liveried bus running on Biomethane Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and the company fully expect this to be a top attraction at the open day.
“We really expect this achievement by one of our regular service buses to be an enormous attraction and bring in big crowds,” said Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer Martijn Gilbert.
“Immediately after the record, the bus went back into service on routes in the Reading area and people who haven’t previously travelled on the vehicle have the chance to climb aboard – and sit in the driver’s seat of this now very famous bus.”
He added that the iconic new Routemaster has attracted major crowds when touring the country and he expected similar enthusiasm from Reading.
“But it’s not just about these two buses as big a draw as they are,” he stressed. “It really is a family fun day. It’s free to get here from the town with our shuttles and it’s free to get in.
“There will be fun games such as our now famous ‘buses and ladders’, a tombola, face painting from the experts at Glitter and Sparkles, memorabilia and lots of food and drink including our barbecue which has the now traditional sponsorship from Tilehurst Village Butchers.
“There’s also a guest appearance from Michelle Jordan of Heart FM who will be bringing the Heart FM Angels to help keep people entertained at what is set to be a great day,” said Martijn who added that Reading Buses hope to exceed last year’s fundraising of £4,000.
“We are also delighted that the new Mayor of Reading, Councillor Sarah Hacker, has agreed to open the event, following in the footsteps of her predecessors. And we always have to say a big thank you to the Gurkha community in Reading who are mobilised through the Forgotten British Gurkha charity to help out on the day alongside volunteers from our workforce.”
Shuttle buses to the open day start in the town from Friar Street at 10.34 am (getting to the depot at 10.50am reading for the grand opening at 11am) and run until 4.00 pm from the depot. They pick up at various points around the town and a leaflet with times can be downloaded from the Reading Buses website www.reading-buses.co.uk
Leaflets are also available from the Reading Buses shop in The Mall. The shuttles are free and there will be open top buses if the weather is good.
And if you are around the town at 4pm, don’t forget to look out for the cavalcade of brightly coloured vehicles as the Reading Buses ‘rainbow’ of vehicles does a lap of honour after the event.
Reading Buses gives thanks to the generous sponsorship from Ticketer, Alexander Dennis, Scania and Wrightbus who have provided contributions to ensure that Alzheimer’s Society receive a bumper cheque.