Published: Monday, 7th July, 2008 12:00pm

No to pleas for night bus from Reading

by Caroline Cook

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A TRANSPORT boss is refusing to act on pleas from teenagers to provide a late night bus from Reading to Bracknell.

First Bus commercial director Andrew Taylor was responding to a film shot by media students Rob Davies, 17, and Steve Ellis, 18, about something they would like to change.

They decided to concentrate on the issue of late night weekend transport back from Reading, something which they say strikes a chord with their peers.

Options are currently limited, with the last bus at 7.50pm and the last train at 11.12pm.

A taxi ride can cost around £30 after 11pm and queues are often very long.

Rob said: "We spoke to a firm in Southampton which already runs a late night bus and we received positive information about the scheme with few problems reported because people have respect for the service."

The Bracknell and Wokingham College students' film was showcased on ITV's Thames Valley Tonight Fixers slot to show how a similar scheme would be beneficial to the area.

Although the bus would provide safe and convenient transport for locals, the idea was met with opposition by First Buses.

Mr Taylor said: "A late night bus is not very high on the list of priorities.

"There are concerns that the cost of managing a night bus, in addition to late night cleaning and re-fueling would not be

significantly outweighed by the demand.

"We wouldn't want to take a risk on a scheme that is not commercially viable."

The Fixers slot offers a platform for 16 to 25-year-olds to make a case on anything they feel strongly about.

Do you think there should be a late night bus back from Reading? Tell us what you think.

Write to Bracknell News, Ocean House, The Ring, Bracknell RG12 1AX, call 01344 456611 or email the editor Rebecca Johnson at rjohnson@berksmedia.co.uk.