Bus passengers have been assured that services will improve despite the axing of a route between Wallingford and Reading.

Reading Buses has announced it will scrap the direct 105 service - from July 22 the Reading service will terminate in Pangbourne, nine miles away.

But the company insists that passengers will not be stranded. Rival operator Thames Travel is improving local services and urging shoppers and commuters to use its rail-link service to Reading instead.

At Reading Buses spokesman Alan Low said: "The service from Wallingford was not cost-effective and we are not allowed to run loss-making services. We are not here to disadvantage people, but if services cannot break even, they have to go. It has been a case of 'use it or lose it'." Thames Travel has announced a new half-hourly service between Wallingford and Cholsey, with hourly ser- vices to Moulsford. And it insists that people travelling to Reading would be better served by its 132 integrated rail-link between Wallingford and Goring station.

Company owner John Wright said: "Passengers will be better served with the rail-link than with the 105 service between Wallingford and Reading.

"It is much more comprehensive, it is quicker, and the off-peak fare is the same.

"This is not bad news for bus users. It allows passengers to leave earlier, return later and it runs seven days a week, instead of only six."