Buses in the Reading network will run to different times over the festive period.

Reading Buses say most services will follow the same pattern with buses generally running to a Saturday or Sunday service throughout the period.

The company explains that service levels change over Christmas due to many people taking time off, meaning less buses are generally needed – although they still provide a service level that meets the general demand.

This is a quick-at-a-glance guide: Sunday December 24 (Christmas Eve) a Sunday service with early finish though the exception will be 24/7 routes, emerald 5 and 6, purple 17, claret 21 and yellow 26 when special evening buses will run until around 11.00 pm.

Monday December 25 (Christmas Day) no buses.

Tuesday December 26 (Boxing Day) a special service based on public holiday times between around 9 am and 7 pm.

Wednesday December 27, Thursday December 28, Friday December 29 and Saturday December 30 a Saturday service will operate.

Sunday December 31 (New Year’s Eve) a Sunday service will operate with extra buses on purple 17 between 11pm – 2am.

Monday January 1 (New Year’s Day) a public holiday service.

Tuesday January 2 all routes back to normal.

Said Jake Osman, Marketing and Communications Manager of Reading Buses: “It’s always important to get the balance of service right over the Christmas period.

“We see what the usage was like last year as well as taking account of which day of the week Christmas itself falls.

“We appreciate that some people are still working, especially in retail and hospitality, but we are mindful that we need to operate appropriate service levels to ensure we don’t have buses running around empty – and of course it lets more of our wonderful staff have some time off to see their families.

“We also think that the service level this year is more than sufficient for shoppers and revellers alike. Coming to town by bus is an easier and cheaper option than trying to find parking spaces, allowing people to make better use of their time with our free onboard WiFi. And, of course, they can have a drink and we do the driving.”

There will be Christmas timetable leaflets on buses throughout the festive period and all timetables can be found online at reading-buses.co.uk/christmas.