Reading Council secures funding for 17 more electric buses
The funding comes from the Department of Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 project, and will support the introduction of electric buses on the emerald 5 & 6 routes serving the south of the borough. No word yet on which models will be introduced; the local council has merely stated these will be ‘high-spec new buses with high back comfy seats, heating and air conditioning’.
The additional 17 electric buses mark a major expansion for Reading, which sees the third highest number of bus journeys per head in England outside of London. Its first 24 electric buses entered operation on the purple 17 and claret 21 routes in February of this year, and the town also secured a further £1.35m for eight electric double deckers in May 2025. The council says these double deckers are expected to enter operation on the yellow 26 route this summer, with the remaining buses set to hit the road in 2028.
It means a total of £9 million in DfT funding has been secured by the Council and Reading Buses so far, which has gone towards both the purchase of battery-electric buses as well as infrastructure investments for charging stations and power upgrades at the Great Knollys Street depot.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “It is excellent news for bus passengers in Reading that the Council and Reading Buses have secured a further £3m of government funding for another 17 electric buses for the town.
“Passenger have already been travelling on the modern and comfortable new electric buses on the purple 17 and claret 21 routes and I am looking forward to the arrival of eight more on the yellow 26 Southcote and Calcot route this summer. I am delighted that residents in south Reading and other parts of the borough will also benefit from these new buses over the next two years.
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