READING Buses announced on Friday that it was ready to welcome back customers.

The company hope to relay this 'positive message' following the government’s latest guidance which means people can return to public transport.

The award-winning bus service increased the number of buses on July 6 to near normal levels, providing more seating space and service and are maintaining their enhanced cleaning regime.

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Robert Williams, CEO of Reading Buses, said: "We want to let everyone know we are good to go whenever they need us."

Reading Buses have been operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic and say they are ‘delighted’ to be available for regular use again.

"I am pleased to say we had lots of positive feedback from our customers when they made essential journeys during the crisis," said Robert.

"And we are delighted that the government have now changed their guidance to allow everyone to return to buses – this is a glowing endorsement of how well the bus industry as a whole has led the way in safely managing this crisis."

The company were also recognised by Visit England as they attained the ‘Good to Go’ certification which reflects the commitment of Reading Buses to best practice guidelines surrounding Covid-19 measures.

The company has been consistently undertaking measures to keep their employees and customers safe and healthy and their vehicles in prime condition.

Measures include: An increased cleaning regime; hand sanitiser stations on all buses; messaging to encourage the wearing of face coverings; reduced seating capacity to reflect the one metre plus rule; drivers protected by screens and seats directly behind them cordoned off.

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Robert added: "Our amazing team has been supporting the company for months, whether on the road, carrying out maintenance, in socially distanced space at work, working from home or even volunteering for furlough to allow others to continue - the whole team has pulled together.

"We have been hard at work to make sure that when guidance changed, we were ready - and we definitely are.

"All our buses will only carry half of the normal number of people to help maintain social distancing, but we have plenty of space to cater for that and customers will still have to wear a face covering.

"Otherwise, I am pleased to announce that we are back to normal."