Reading’s Pink 22 Bus Saved Following Last-Minute Council Deal

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-20 15:38 3 min read

A bright pink Reading Buses vehicle parked outdoors on a sunny, clear day.

The Pink 22 bus route between Caversham Heights and Reading town centre has been saved from closure following an agreement between Reading Borough Council and Reading Buses. Announced by the council on 15 July 2026, the deal keeps the service running through an interim timetable and supports the purchase of a new electric bus expected in spring 2027.

The intervention follows a 50% fall in passenger numbers since the pandemic, which has left Reading Buses operating the route at a significant loss. Passenger use has also been affected by Thames Water’s closure of Kidmore Road.

What changes from 20 July

The interim service begins on Monday, 20 July, preventing a gap in provision while the electric vehicle is being acquired. Passengers should check the revised timetable before travelling, as the balance between peak and off-peak journeys is changing.

Service period	Frequency from 20 July
Peak hours	Every 50 minutes
Off-peak	Every 45 minutes

The previous timetable provided buses every 30 minutes at peak times and every 60 minutes off-peak. The revised schedule therefore reduces peak frequency but increases the frequency of off-peak journeys.

For residents who rely on the Pink 22, the agreement preserves a direct public transport connection between Caversham Heights and Reading town centre. It also means passengers will continue to have access to the route while longer-term operating changes are prepared.

How the electric bus supports the route

Reading Borough Council will provide Reading Buses with a one-off capital grant towards a new electric bus. The purchase will also use money already secured through the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area programme. According to the council, falling electric-bus purchase prices mean the existing ZEBRA funding can stretch to an additional vehicle.

The electric bus and timetable changes are intended to reduce the route’s operating costs. The vehicle should also improve air quality along the route, reduce noise and provide passengers with a quieter journey.

Reading’s Pink 22 Bus Saved Following Last-Minute Council Deal

Council funding supporting the service until delivery of the vehicle is temporary, and the agreement does not create an ongoing council subsidy.

Passenger numbers remain crucial

Councillor John Ennis, Reading Borough Council’s Lead for Transport, said the route’s longer-term future still depends on greater community use.

“The pink 22 will only be viable in the long-term if residents make better use of it,” Councillor Ennis said. “I urge residents in Caversham Heights to leave the car at home where possible and to hop on their community bus for trips into the town centre.”

Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams said the company hoped the electric vehicle would encourage more residents to try the service. He added that the route can ultimately be justified only if it attracts a broader share of the community, including people who have other travel options.

Reading Buses also intends to continue discussions arising from the public meeting about possible future amendments to the route. The next confirmed milestone is the expected arrival of the new electric bus in spring 2027; until then, the revised interim timetable will keep the Pink 22 operating.

Source: Reading Borough Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Editorial Verification

The details of this transport agreement were verified against the official Reading Borough Council news announcement.

Checks

Cross-referenced with Reading Borough Council official press release dated 15 July 2026.
Verified interim timetable start date of 20 July 2026.
Confirmed funding mechanism involving ZEBRA grant and one-off capital support.

Reading Borough Council News Reading bus service updates