NEW bus fares are on the horizon for Courtney Buses including a shake-up of existing routes.

A zone fare system will come into force across Wokingham from February 1 with the possible reintroduction of travel cards to routes in Wokingham and Bracknell.

Passengers could see fares increase and a major shake-up of bus services to Emmbrook.

Simon Fisher, transport manager at Courtney Buses, said some people would see their fees rise and others would fall with the new scheme.

He said: "We've introduced this system in Windsor and Maidenhead and have had positive feedback from our passengers and drivers.

"When we took over we inherited a variety of fees and all sorts from Thames Travel that seemed to be greatly reduced prices for some areas and increased prices for others.

"We have tried to simplify this and have created four zones across Wokingham Borough."

Zone One will include Wokingham central, Zone Two is Hurst and Winnersh and out to Finchampstead. Zone Three covers Twyford and Crowthorne whilst Zone Four is Reading.

Services to Emmbrook are being axed as Wokingham Borough Council says it can no longer subsidise empty buses.

Councillor John Kaiser, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for planning and highways, said: "These are difficult times as you know, and we have to use our limited funding wisely."

"We cannot justify subsidising a practically empty bus. If appropriate funding does come forward in the future, we will happily invest in those bus services that are used."

The 128, which previously served the community on its way from Wokingham to Reading, has been re-routed down the Reading Road.

Emmbrook will still be served by 122 and 129 routes between Monday and Friday with an extra 129 service from Broad Street and the 122 now serving the town on a Saturday.

The 126 service will be replaced with a 128 service.

Because of the shake-ups new timetables will be rolled out across the borough on February 1.

For more details on the new timetables visit www.courtneybuses.com or the information centre in Wokingham Town Hall.