Reading Buses had a sunny disposition as they introduced their new yellow 26 electric buses at their depot.
Following on from their electric buses recently introduced on purple 17 and claret 21, the company unveiled their 7 brand-new zero-emission buses for yellow 26, with an additional ‘generic’ silver bus designed to go on any route when the branded buses are being serviced. Yellow 26 runs between Central Reading and IKEA via Southcote, Ford’s Farm, Beansheaf and Calcot.
Like the other electric buses launched in February, these new ones for yellow 26 produce zero emissions, helping the town to improve its air quality. They also don’t produce any engine noise, which helps quieten the roads and environment around them too.
Reading Buses say the new vehicles are also built for comfort of both drivers and customers too. The buses are fitted with best-in-class features designed to help make customer’s journeys even more comfortable, including:
- USB-A and C charging,
- Seat back phone holders with wireless charging
- High back seats with plenty of legroom
- a glazed staircase and a skylight on the upper deck to help let light in
- mood lighting fitted throughout
- two wheelchair bays
Thanks to the heat-pumps installed as part of them being electric, the new buses also feature air conditioning, particularly helpful during the current hot weather, and heating for the winter.
The drivers also benefit from camera mirrors for improved visibility, reversing sensors, a PA system and a curved windscreen to reduce risk of injury in the event of an incident.
Said Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer;
Hot on the heels of our launch of electric buses on purple 17 and claret 21, comes more Zero-Emission Buses for the Reading Area! We know that customers will love the new buses for not only their environmental credentials, but also the comfort on-board that they bring. At a time when fuel prices are still rising, customers can be assured that we have great value fares regardless of how they travel – whether taking advantage of our period tickets if commuting regularly or trying easysaver or daysaver products if only travelling with us every now and then.
Robert was also keen to highlight some future activity to promote the electric buses; “The keen-eyed may just have noticed that we have a zebra in our photos! This is Zippy, the mascot of the buses – with ZEBRA standing for Zero-Emission Buses for the Reading Area. Zippy will be out and about the town soon to help spread the word about our greener buses, so keep your eyes peeled!”
Reading Buses say that the yellow 26 buses will be in service from Monday 1 June which is just in time for Reading’s Climate Festival which starts on 6 June.
