on the day fares

fares

Our routes 1a, 1c and 103 (plus Reading Buses' jet black) are part of the ‘simplyNewbury & Thatcham’ area, which has a flat fare system, meaning you pay the same amount regardless of how many stops you travel. There are, however, some short-hop fares which provide great value. 

We also operate local routes in and around Newbury on behalf of West Berkshire Council which have varying single and return fares - ask the driver for your ticket. We also sell and accept West Berkshire Connect tickets which can be used on multiple buses in the local area. For full details on this, please visit the transport fares page on the West Berkshire Council website here. 

You can pay for your tickets as you travel from the driver (pay by cash or contactless by asking for a ticket) or (on jet black only) by using Tap on, Tap off.  

For longer term 7 and 30 day tickets, buy online, from our app and the Reading bus shop in the Broad Street Mall, Reading. Find out more here. 

Help for Households £3 single

Providing great value, £3 maximum singles fares are available on all journeys across our network (plus Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses and Green Line 702/703) - with the only exceptions being on football buses and buses allocated for school travel.

Part of the government's help for households initiative, the scheme is designed to help families, commuters and other passengers continue to save money this summer, backed by £60 million of government investment. We are one of over 130 bus companies across England taking part.

The scheme also seeks to encourage more commuters on buses and help to reduce emissions and congestion by taking an estimated 2 million cars off the roads.

Whilst the scheme is operating (currently until the end of December 2025), you may find that this ticket is the best value for you. 

fares tables

Whilst the £3 Government single fare means most fares are the same, each service does have its own fares structure. Click the links below to download a PDF for your service to see the single and returns fares. 

For journeys between Newbury and Thatcham Broadway on the 1a/1c/jet black and between Bishops Green and Newbury on service 103 you can also buy the following:

Adult

*app only

Boost (18 & under)

route 103

There are also be graduated fares for route 103 for shorter journeys.

For route 103 fares, click here.

other fares

Tickets are inter-available between Newbury & District and Reading Buses services.

You can buy and use Reading Buses tickets on services 1a & 1c and 103. Tickets include the simplyNetwork group ticket - £21 for up to four people to travel all day on weekdays before 9.30am (£15.50 after 9.30am on weekdays, all day weekends and school & public holidays) – valid on all Reading Buses services including London Line 701, 702 and Flightline 703 (to Langley and Heathrow).

concessionary passes

Concessionary pass holders can travel for free after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and public holidays.

For those wanting to travel earlier during the week, you can buy a special 'earlybird' ticket before 9.30am on weekdays with a valid concessionary pass - this includes all Newbury & District services plus jet black 1 (between Newbury and Colthrop Turn).

If boarding in the 'Urban' zone, this ticket can be bought for £1.50.

If boarding in the 'Rural' zone, this ticket can be bought for £2.

If using jet black 1, the ticket can only be bought between Newbury and Colthrop Turn and is only valid between those points. You cannot use it to travel past Colthrop Turn towards Reading. 

As long as your return journey starts after 9.30am, you should then return for free using your concessionary pass as normal. 

contactless

Buses accept contactless payments.

Simply ask the driver for your ticket and, when prompted, simply tap your contactless bankcard on the reader until the machine beeps and a ticket is issued.

mobile tickets 

You can buy your tickets in advance (or on the day!) using the Newbury & District app. Just search 'Newbury & District' in your app store to download for free.

Buy the ticket on your phone and then activate it when you need it (please note, single tickets have a 30 minute activation window). When you board the bus, simply scan the QR code on your screen on the reader. 

doggy day rover

Pay £1 and your four-legged friend can travel with you all day!