Local Transport Information

Buses
Newbury Buses
A regular bus service (104/105) has been introduced by Newbury Buses (a division of Reading Transport Ltd) giving us about three/four buses a day between Newbury, Tadley, Beenham, Theale and Calcot.

On Mondays to Saturdays, buses leave for Calcot (Savacentre) at 08:08, 10:12 and 12:12 (also 16:23 on Saturdays only) Journey time is 20 minutes.

Buses leave for Newbury at 08:34, 11:18, 13:18 and 15:28 (also 17:18 on Saturdays only). Journey time is 70 minutes.

On Thursdays, Newbury Buses also run a service (118) from Beenham to Newbury leaving The Stocks at 9:30am, returning from Newbury at 1:30pm. This bus has volunteers running a help-aboard scheme. The journey takes one hour (each way).

A timetable for the 104, 105 and 118 services can be found at
www.reading-buses.co.uk/new.htm
All telephone enquiries are handled by Traveline South East: 0870 6082608

Four Valleys Taxibus
On Wednesdays Four Valleys Taxibus run a service from Beenham to Reading leaving The Village Hall at 9:23am returning from Reading at 12:55pm.
Tel: 01635 35806

ReadiBus
There is also a ReadiBus for people with restricted mobility who can't use ordinary public transport. It picks up from home and has wheelchair accessibility, for travel to Savacentre, Reading town centre, Royal Berkshire Hospital and Battle Hospitals, or anywhere en route.Tel: 931 0000
Web site: www.readibus.co.uk

Carebus Volunteer Group, Englefield
The Carebus Volunteer group, based in Englefield, provides a voluntary transport service with three vehicles to help local individuals or organisations. They accept regular or occasional bookings and the rates are set to be affordable.

The Escort Chairman has been especially adapted to transport a wheelchair-bound passenger - perhaps you would like to take a friend or relation out for the day?

The Community Bus has room for 10 passengers and is ideal for small groups - would your club like an evening out?

The Handybus is a bit bigger and has a tail lift, it is more accessible and some of the seats can be removed to make room for wheelchairs so it can be used by groups with disabled members. It is run by the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, which runs once a fortnight on a Thursday either to Thatcham or Newbury. This is a door-to-door service.

Contact: Vounteer Centre West Berkshire
Tel: 01635 49004
More information can be found at www.volunteerwestberks.org.uk

If you would like more information about the Carebus Volunteer Group please call: 9304 837 carebusvg@aol.com

Can you help?
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver for any of these vehicles please contact the Carebus Volunteer group. They will train you how to use the vehicles and pay car mileage rates to their base in Englefield. Drivers need a standard driving license and a half-hour training session for the chairman and community bus. Handybus drivers need to be assessed after a longer training session.
You can help this worthwhile group as little or as much as you like.

The Chapel Row Community Service Group
This is a group of volunteers set up to help the elderly, the lonely and those in need by such means as:
Transport for those unable to use public transport to and from the dentist, chiropodist and the optician etc., hospital visiting and essential shopping
Befriending the lonely, bereaved, house-bound, handicapped and the mentally ill
Helping mothers to cope with unusual burdens due to illness or misfortune
Keeping in touch with other organisations involved in similar work
Contact Mrs Cardy, Tel: 971 3334 between 9.30-11.30, Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Trains
There are trains from Aldermaston and Theale Stations, to Newbury and Reading and with connections to London and many other places via Reading. There are also trains from Pangbourne to Oxford and Reading.
Tel: 08457 48 49 50
For more information, visit the First Great Western Link website at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/link or www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Taxis
There is one taxi company that specifically serves Beenham:
Theale Taxis
17 High Street
Theale
Berkshire, RG7 5AN
Tel: 930 2345

There are several companies in Thatcham that will cover Beenham, although always check the fee first, since they can impose hefty surcharges for coming out of their normal area, especially after 10pm.
Thatcham Taxis
34, High St
Thatcham Berkshire RG19 3JD
Tel: 01635 862002

Cab 4 U
71 Lancaster Close
Thatcham Berkshire RG18 3FJ
Tel: 01635 860000

Broadway Cars
104 Paynesdown Rd
Thatcham Berkshire RG19 3TE
Tel: 01635 847784

C.D.C Taxis
25 Tomlin Close
Thatcham Berkshire RG19 3XY
Tel: 01635 866730