First in Berkshire and Reading Buses have agreed a deal that will see passengers travel with a new operator on Service 90 which links Reading and Bracknell.

From July 26, Reading Buses will take over the route from First in Berkshire.  In order to aid the smooth transfer of operations, up to 20 drivers from First will be given the opportunity to join Reading Buses on a permanent basis.

Chief Executive of Reading Buses, Martijn Gilbert, said: “We look forward to welcoming customers and employees on route 90 to Reading Buses. This will see us serve a new corridor which is a good fit with our route network and ongoing strategy to serve the growing economic needs of Reading and the surrounding region. We have a number of plans to further enhance the service over the coming months, including the use of some modern electric-hybrid buses which will deliver significant environmental and customer benefits.”

Managing Director of First in Berkshire, Marc Reddy, said: “We’ve enjoyed operating Service 90 and being part of the fabric of the local communities it serves.  We’d like to thank our loyal customers and can assure them that we’ll continue to provide our usual high quality service until the new operator takes over on 26 July.”

Service 90 operates currently runs buses every 15 minutes at peak times.  The service links Reading with Winnersh, Wokingham and Bracknell.  Up to 20 drivers will be offered posts at Reading Buses.  First will redeploy the vehicles used on the route elsewhere within its business.