Transport Service Changes or Disruption

On this page:

• Disruption to local rail services
• 3 month fare cap for local buses
• Other Public Transport Services
• Travel Guidance and Face Coverings
• Services on Bank Holidays and During Travel Disruption
• Contacting Local Bus and Train Operators

Disruption to rail journeys in West Berkshire 

Improvement works will be taking place on the railway line between Reading and Westbury from Saturday 18 February to Thursday 2 March 2023. 

Rail replacement buses will be running during this time, further information can be found on the GWR website. 

Public buses are also available:

• Jet Black 1 runs every 30 minutes for most of the day between Newbury and Reading via Thatcham, A4 and Theale on Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sunday. 
• Route 3 runs between Newbury and Hungerford at regular intervals on during the day on Monday to Saturday. 

Information on all local public bus services can be found here. 

Three month fare cap for bus journeys 

You may have heard the Government's announcements that a three month fare cap has been introduced across most bus services in England.

The council is pleased to announce that bus journeys across West Berkshire will capped at £2 for a single journey and £4 for a return journey between the 1 January 2023 and the 31 March 2023.

Its intention is to provide affordable bus travel for millions across England and you can travel any time of day. The scheme forms part of the Government's Help for Households campaign, as the new cap can deliver real savings for those most affected by the rising cost of living.

So why not use the bus to get to work, go shopping, attend an appointment, go for a bite to eat in the local eateries, take in some of the outstanding scenery, or meet friends and family.

The scheme forms part of the Government's Help for Households campaign, as the new cap can deliver real savings for those most affected by the rising cost of living.   

This fare cap builds on the allocation of more than £2 billion to support bus services in England through the pandemic and a commitment to fund improved services, new bus priority measures and new electric or hydrogen buses as part of the ambitious National Bus Strategy, published in 2021. 

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "By helping passengers outside London save almost a third off the average single bus ticket and taking two million cars off the road, the £2 bus fare cap is a fantastic way to start the new year. Buses are a key part of our vision for a clean, efficient and modern transport network that is affordable for everyone. That's why we're investing £60 million to encourage everyone to hop on the bus and 'Get Around for £2' ". 

The fare cap will be applied on the following routes across the district

Other services may be taking part.

The full list of operators known to be taking part across England can be found on the Government's website. 

Other Public Transport Services

National Express are running coach services. See the National Express website for more details. At the present time National Express are not calling at Newbury Wharf.

Trains services that operate in West Berkshire maybe subject to change, often at short notice, updated information can be found on the Great Western Railway (GWR) website.
 

Travel Guidance and Face Coverings

The Government has removed all domestic legal restrictions relating to COVID-19. 

There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering, but the government suggests that people continue to wear one in crowded and enclosed spaces, where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

You can find more detailed information about coronavirus guidance on the GOV.UK website.
 

Services on Bank Holidays and During Travel Disruption

If you are planning to travel by public transport on bank holidays, during bad weather or during other periods of disruption, please use the Traveline journey planner which has regularly updated information.

We also post available updates on the Connect West Berkshire Twitter feed. 

You can also check with the bus or train company you will be using to make sure they are running. Please see the contact details listed above. 

Road Closures and Bus Stop Suspensions

At times essential utility work and highway improvement works can cause disruptions to bus services. This can include bus stop suspensions and services having to divert from scheduled routes.

Details of any works which could have a major impact on West Berkshire Council contracted services will be posted on this page.
 

Contacting Local Bus and Train Operators

You can find details of the major bus and train operators in West Berkshire, and links to their website and contact details, below:

• Connect - services 5, 5a, 5c, 41, 44, 47 and H1; or follow Connect on Twitter
   
• Going Forward Buses - find their contact details on the Going Forward Buses website, here - you can also find Going Forward Buses on Facebook
   
• Great Western Railway (GWR) - find their contact details on the GWR website, here - you can also follow Great Western Railway on Twitter
   
• Newbury and District - find their contact details on the Newbury and District website - you can also find Newbury and District on Facebook and follow Newbury and District on Twitter
   
• Reading Buses - find their contact details on the Reading Buses website, here - you can also find Reading Buses on Facebook and follow Reading Buses on Twitter
   
• Stagecoach - find their contact details on the Stagecoach website, here - you can also follow Stagecoach South on Twitter
   
• Swindon's Bus Company - find their contact details on the Swindon Bus Company website, here
   
• Thames Travel - find their contact details on the Thames Travel website, here - you can also find Thames Travel on Facebook