Premier Route 9 - Proposed changes during 2008

***  CONSULTATION EXTENDED ***
Following a large number of customer comments from our July 2008 consultation, the consultation period for Premier Route 9 has now been extended until the end of September 2008. This is to give people more time to consider the proposal in its present form which proposes to split the route in the town centre. We will also consider further alternatives, some of which have already arisen out of the responses received so far.

The Problem

We have been experiencing difficulty in maintaining a reliable service on this route especially in the winter months when traffic is heaviest. This is because it includes two significant areas of potential congestion, namely Caversham Bridge and Shinfield Road. The only sensible way to solve the problem is to split the route into two overlapping sections. Our experience with other routes where similar issues have arisen has shown that splitting the route makes a significant improvement in time-keeping because a problem on one side of town does not cross-contaminate the service on the other side of town.

Our Proposals

Premier Route 9 would continue to operate between Caversham Heights and Central Reading on its existing route, except that it would operate round a loop consisting of Friar Street, Station Road and Station Hill. Existing frequencies would be maintained, but we are looking for feedback about early morning timings to Reading Station in particular.

The southern section of the route, between Central Reading and Shinfield Park via Royal Berkshire Hospital, would be covered by new Premier Route 8 operating from Reading Station via Market Place, and along the existing 9 route via the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Shinfield Road, and round the loop via Whitley Wood Lane and Shinfield Park. Premier Route 8 would operate round the Town Centre via Duke Street, Minster Street, Gun Street, St. Mary’s Butts, West Street, Friar Street, Station Road, Blagrave Street, Valpy Street, The Forbury and Market Place.

Premier Route 8 would run on an enhanced frequency of every ten minutes on Mondays to Fridays in the peak and every 15 minutes at other times. In the evenings buses would run every hour, providing a combined half-hourly frequency with Route 21 of every 30 minutes between Central Reading and the University of Reading.

Premier Routes 8 and 9 will be arranged to provide the easiest possible overlap in Friar Street to make it easy for customers making cross-town journeys to interchange.

What next?

Please send your comments to:-

Customer Services Manager
Reading Transport Limited
Great Knollys Street
READING
Berkshire
RG1 7HH

or

via e-mail to consultation@reading-buses.co.uk

All comments will be carefully considered and, where possible, actioned as necessary. This may include discussions with Local Authorities, including Reading Borough Council, West Berkshire Council and Wokingham Borough Council.

The closing date for comments is 30 September 2008, but the sooner you can alert us to your views, the better!