Reading’s buses of many colours look to success

In the last four years council-owned bus operator Reading Transport has been rejuvenated by significant investment and network improvements that have fuelled growth. Andrew Garnett spoke to chief executive James Freeman on how Reading Transport is prospering and planning for an even brighter future under public control

‘I’m fairly confident that you can live in Reading today and depend on buses as your only form of transport’

‘I’m fairly confident that you can live in Reading today and depend on buses as your only form of transport’

In the last couple of years the dwindling band of municipally-owned bus operators have raised their game. Indeed this burst of creativity is perhaps best demonstrated by the sector’s trophy haul at this year’s UK Bus Awards, led by the bus operator of the year, Warrington Borough Transport.

No longer are council-owned operators seen as the deeply traditional businesses that they once were, perhaps in part due to the growing number of experienced industry managers that have switched...