The University has a large number of offers for current students to help make your travel choices more sustainable and affordable! Check our list below, with links to the relevant internal/external offer. We are always eager to hear suggestions on further sustainable travel offers that will be of benefit - if you any suggestions, please let us know by emailing sustainability@reading.ac.uk.
Free cycle maintenance
Take advantage of our regular campus visits from Dr Bike, who provides free tips and basic maintenance to keep your bike in good working order. Dates and locations of Dr Bike visits available here.
Free cycle training
Free cycle training is available for staff and students every Wednesday during term time. All levels welcome; from new learners to advanced road safety. Please email sustainability@reading.ac.uk to book a session or for more information.
Second hand bike sale, bike hire and bike security labelling
The University runs a small number of bike sale and bike hire events throughout the academic year, in partnership with Reading Bicycle Kitchen can be useful places to find a used bicycle. Security Services also attend these events to label your bike and provide theft prevention advice. Check our social media pages, Cycling page and the RBK website for updates.
Not ready to commit to buying a bike?
Try loaning a bike for a month with EASIT first. This offer includes fixed frame, electric and folding bikes - perfect to see if cycling to work is right for you! Sign-up/log in to EASIT to take advantage of this offer.
Secure cycle parking on campus
We have several secure cycle compounds dotted around Whiteknights campus. To gain entry to these all you need to do is contact Security Services and ask them to add access to the compounds onto your student campus card. You may also need your card pin for some of them - this can be found in the campus card portal once you log in.
My Journey Wokingham Challenge
Any residents of Wokingham Borough Council or anyone who travels in and out of the Borough can get rewards for using active and sustainable travel. Find out more at My Journey Wokingham: Betterpoints. Plan your route using this cycle routes map.
Discounted Reading Bus rates for all tickets types with Boost
All University of Reading students can get a reduced ticket price of just £2.00 for any single trip in the Reading area the discounted Boost ticket rate. You just need to verify your University of Reading student ID when purchasing tickets using the Reading Buses app or smartcard. For more information visit Reading Buses website.
Buses that run day and night!
The Claret 21 bus route runs throughout the night, so you'll always be able to get to and from the University.
PlusBus - discounts for combined rail and bus travel
When you buy a PlusBus ticket with your rail ticket, you add unlimited bus travel around the Reading urban area. A perfect money-saving option for returning to Reading after a trip home or for visiting friends. This link takes you to information specific to Reading, but remember that PlusBus discounts could also be available for buses to the station wherever you live. The PlusBus offer can also be used in conjunction with a Railcard.
Flixbus
Choose green coach travel with FlixBus, which offers tickets from just £2.99 to over 50 destinations. Find journeys from Reading University (Christchurch Green bus stop) to London, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth, with free onboard Wi-Fi, charging points and comfortable seats on its top-rated ‘Euro 6’ coaches, reducing carbon emissions.
16-25 Railcard
This is not a University specific discount, but everyone aged between 16-25 in the UK, or are over 25 and in full-time study, is eligible for a 16-25 Railcard which gives a 33% discount on all rail travel. The card costs £30 for a year, but it is well worth it if you’re going to travel by train more than twice! For more information and applications, visit their website.
Great Western Railway: visitor day offers
We have partnered with GWR to offer a 20% train fare discount for anyone attending one of our Visit Days. These include University Open Days, Visit Days, Graduation days and other specific events. If you are attending a qualifying event, information on how to take advantage of the offer will be included in the general information emails you receive. It can also be combined with a Young Persons Railcard for even more of a discount!
Please note: the 20% discount is only available on GWR advance single fare tickets on selected routes and you must select Reading station as the destination. If the route you have chosen is eligible and advance single fare tickets remain available, the discounted ticket price will be shown.
Group travel discounts on GWR
People travelling in groups of 10 or more on the GWR network can benefit from savings of up to 26%.
Co-Wheels car club (hire a car by the hour). Free membership plus £25 driving credit
All University of Reading students who have a held a valid drivers license for over 12 months can get free membership with Co-Wheels car club, as well as £25 free driving credit when signing up with a University email address and our code. This great scheme lets you hire a car from as little as half an hour - perfect for the occasional trip you may need to make by car. Click here for more details of how to sign up.
Free Park and Ride service from Mereoak
We have partnered with Reading Buses and Royal Berkshire NHS Trust to deliver this exciting new sustainable travel option for our students. Students can use the Hospital P&R 300 from Mereoak (Junction 11 of the M4, RG7 1WJ).
How to take advantage of this fantastic new service:
- Simply show your University of Reading Campus Card to the bus driver
- Free parking at Mereoak is included, no permit needed
- Use the Christchurch Green stop for Whiteknights campus and the Royal Berkshire Hospital stop for the London Road campus
Lift Sharing with Doing UoR Bit
The University has an exciting staff lift-share scheme provided via our Doing UoR Bit platform. The Lift Share tool connects you with other Doing #UoRBit users who would like to share their commute - either by car, public transport, cycling or walking.
There is an Emergency Lift Home policy in place, to ensure that you can get home should unforseen events prevent your normal lift share from taking place.