A distinctive yellow and black bus will give residents in Yateley and Eversley the opportunity to travel to Reading on a Saturday for the first time in over a decade.

Fleetbuzz added the weekend service on Saturday of last week in an effort to mobilise people who would otherwise be unable to take trips to the town.

John Chadwick, managing director of Fleetbuzz, said: "There hasn’t been a bus service in Yateley to Reading for almost 15 years and maybe an opportunity for the shopping and casual traveller.

"We have run the service during the week on school days for four months.

"It’s getting closer to Christmas and I decided to make arrangements to provide a Saturday service.

"People can shop for four hours in Reading."

He added: "It’s the only link Eversley has to the outside world."

Signs are not visible at pick up points but Mr Chadwick ensures the bus will stop for people waiting at each designated bus stop.

The first pick up is at 8.37am outside St Swinthun’s Church, the second outside Yateley Town Council’s office, Reading Road at 8.39am.

The bus then travels to Eversley where it will stop outside The White Hart pub, Eversley Cross, at 8.42am and then at 8.45am outside the Village Hall.

It will stop at the same points on the return journey, which leaves from Reading Rail Station at 3.38pm.

Although the service is not over subscribed during the week, Mr Chadwick hopes that the extension of service accommodating people at weekends will make it a more popular choice.

Fleetbuzz is a private bus company, running solely on profit made from its bus trips.

It was founded seven years ago providing countywide travel.

David Simpson, Hampshire County councillor for Yateley and Eversley, said: "I am always pleased when new transport is provided, especially when it doesn’t need subsidising.

"Getting into Reading is problematic because it is crowded and when people drive there is no parking.

"Match days can cause further problems as more people pack into the car parks.

"I know quite a few people who go to Reading by train because it’s the only way to get there without a car.

"Clearly there is a demand for this service."

Fleetbuzz added the number 82 bus service onto its extensive transport list two years ago.

It also services Yateley residents wanting to travel to Fleet with an hourly service, provided by the number 71 bus, which aims to get people to Fleet Railway Station for train trips into London.

For further information contact Fleetbuzz on 01252 851 009.