The mayor of a town that operates its own bus network says he is being inundated with requests for information from other local authorities.It is one of eight companies outside London under public ownership, meaning the council can set its own routes and fares without having to make a profit.Reading's Mayor and notional "head conductor" Tony Page said councils across the country are asking him how they can take back control of their local bus network.
The borough council says extra money means better quality buses, one of the greenest fleets in the UK, and contributes to more people using the bus service.The borough council says without shareholders, Reading Buses can invest an additional £3m a year in the network each year "The government's resources are also needed to pump prime the establishment of bus services," he added.Reading's mayor says government investment is still needed to encourage more use of public transport