16 new ADL Enviro400 MMCs aim to deliver a step change in on-board customer service
Reading Buses showcased its new ‘5 Star Service’ for South Reading when the company unveiled its latest major investment on Tuesday May 5.
The company says that customers on the mint green 5 and 6 routes will see a massive stepchange in the service as the buses go emerald.
The launch of the buses at the Great Knollys Street depot happened under the title ‘5 Star Service’ as the company’s stars of the last five years, including current Star of the Year Mervyn Saunders, attended to promote the buses with their range of new and exclusive features. “We believe in showcasing the great work of our staff through our ‘Stars of the Year’ scheme and it’s the ideal platform from which to introduce the company’s 16 brand new state-of-the-art doubledeck buses,” said Martijn Gilbert, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer.
“This is all about taking buses to the next level of customer service – something that our stars of the year embody perfectly. “The buses are breaking new ground in Reading as they deliver a step change in the on-board customer experience. They are the first in our fleet to offer USB charging points and superfast 4G WiFi. They are also the first new buses in the UK to be fitted with the new high spec Italian designer seats which are lighter in weight and are covered in our new, and exclusive, Reading Buses design,” said Martijn.
The 85-seater British-built Alexander Dennis buses represent an investment of £4m and Reading Buses is excited at the new developments they will offer customers. Their Euro 6 diesel specification engine is also the cleanest diesel engine on the market, providing lower emissions and higher performance.
Martijn added: “These buses are going to help revolutionise public transport and customers of the emerald routes – formerly mint green – will be at the forefront of that. They are the next step up in the evolution of the Reading Buses high-quality product of recent years.”
Members of the public who wanted to get a close-up view of the buses before they went into service went to an exciting and innovative new launch in the town centre on Saturday May 9. The company engaged Reading Repertory Theatre to help launch the buses to the public by entertaining them in the town centre. Throughout the day there were theatrical and musical performances in Broad Street with a distinctly familiar emerald theme.
