Thames Travel strive to make their services accessible and safe for everybody by providing low floor, easy access vehicles fitted with the latest CCTV technology, spacious wheelchair and buggy areas, and user-friendly timetable information. Our drivers are trained to the highest standards including customer service skills.
The environment is a primary concern of Thames Travel, and they have invested in a large number of ultra-low emission Euro 6 rated buses in recent years. Many of their buses have "stop-start" technology, which turns the engine off when at bus stops.
As a result Thames Travel is introduced 10 new ultra-low-emission buses for its X40 River Rapids service, which runs between Reading and Oxford, via Wallingford.
The investment also supports an upgraded timetable, which launched on August 3rd 2025, with services running every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes at weekends in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council. Night bus service improvements were also introduced from the same date, including the return of the NX40 service to Reading, in partnership with Reading Borough Council.
In all, Thames Travel aims to secure confidence in both customers and colleagues and make them feel that they are part of a forward-thinking, innovative company that cares for the people and environment of our region.
As you will learn from Luke and Glenn, these are exciting times for bus passengers in Oxfordshire, including those on the growing Thames Travel network of services, such as the River Rapids corridor between Oxford, Wallingford and Reading.