A councillor has asked for the White Knight 20 bus to stop on busy Whitley Street after residents complained the fast student shuttle doesn’t serve the area.
The White Knight 20 Reading Buses route launched in September 2024 to provide a quick link between the town centre and the University of Reading. Although the route uses Whitley Street, it does not stop there.
Councillor Kaisa Nikulina (Green, Katesgrove) asked: “Residents in the Whitley Street and wider Katesgrove area have raised concerns about the Number 20 bus route not stopping on Whitley Street.
“We have previously approached Reading Buses about this and were advised that the Number 20 operates as an express shuttle for University of Reading students and therefore does not stop between the town centre and the campus.
“However, some residents continue to question the lack of a Whitley Street stop.
They report that the buses often appear underused and highlight that an additional stop would significantly improve access to medical services following the closure of Whitley Villa Surgery.
“It would also benefit students living in the Katesgrove area.
“Would the council consider engaging with Reading Buses to explore whether adding a stop on Whitley Street is feasible, and the current route design be reviewed in light of ongoing resident feedback and local access needs?”
The bus currently stops at the station, West Street, Market Place, Christchurch Green and the Whiteknights campus.
In reply, John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for transport, stated: “We acknowledge the concerns from residents in Whitley Street and the wider Katesgrove area regarding the White Knight 20 bus route and its lack of a stop in its timetable on Whitley Street.
“The service was developed by Reading Buses as a dedicated fast shuttle service between the town centre and the university campus.
“It is marketed specifically to students and operates on a term-time only basis, similar to dedicated bus services that operate at many other universities across the country.
“The timetable and service frequency was designed around the basis that this is a limited stop service between the town centre and university, taking into account boarding times at each stop, and Whitley Street bus stop was not included in this arrangement.
“Adding further stops to the timetable will impact on the journey times and frequency of the service making it a less attractive and viable service.”
Addressing the point about the service being ‘underused’ and the benefits of adding a stop the service, cllr Ennis replied: “It should be noted that Whitley Street is currently served by other routes, including Routes 5 and 6/6a, which both operate 24 hours a day.
“While Reading Buses runs this service on a commercial basis, the council will engage with Reading Buses and the university to explore whether adding a stop into the timetable at Whitley Street is feasible in light of ongoing feedback and local access needs.”
The answer is published in the ‘councillor questions’ document for Reading Borough Council’s policy committee meeting on Monday, February 16. Cllr Niikulina was unable to attend, so the answer was simply published.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
