The date has been announced for the New Routemaster to begin its exciting two week trial with Reading Buses.

The Routemaster, with its 87 passenger capacity, will enter service with Reading Buses on August 17 on the flagship purple 17 route between the Three Tuns on the Wokingham Road and the Water Tower at Tilehurst.

The Routemaster, complete with its fully working electric hybrid engine, is one of a number of buses being trialled by Reading Buses over the course of the summer.

And Reading Buses is keenly looking for customer and employee feedback on their experience of the 62 seater Routemaster whilst it is in service.

Said Marketing and Communications Manager Jake Osman:  “We are extremely excited to welcome the iconic Routemaster to Reading. It’s already attracting lots of attention – and it’s not even started in service yet. 

“The main reason for its arrival is to help us as part of our summer bus trials. We are looking to our customers and employees to help shape our future buses. 

“We want to know what customers think of the look of the bus both inside and out as well as the comfort of the seats and ride.

“We would appreciate people telling us whether they like the positioning of the seats and hand poles, the flooring, buggy space and stairways.  And of course whether the Routemaster is easy to use. 

“Really, we want our customers to tell us anything they like or don’t like to help be a part of the future for our company.

“For this, and other summer bus trials, customers can email us by using the email address feedback@reading-buses.co.uk or by filling in a form on the bus and handing it in to one of our employees at the Reading bus shop in the Broad Street Mall.”