Reading Buses completes successful rollout of TransMach TM700 ETMs

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Attending the Public Transport Wales and the West event in Cardiff in March this year provided ITSO with a valuable opportunity to engage with stakeholders from both the bus and rail sectors. It allowed us to reconnect with several existing suppliers - reinforcing those relationships - while also establishing new connections with organisations operating in various parts of the ITSO ecosystem.

ITSO Transport Operator, Reading Buses has successfully upgraded its entire 285-bus fleet with TransMach’s TM700 Modular Electronic Ticket Machines (ETMs) and Tap-Out Reader (TOR) units. Completed in December 2025, this significant project enhances the passenger experience by offering faster payment processing and dedicated readers for ITSO-enabled smartcards, contactless, and QR codes. The modular design ensures the fleet is future-ready, supporting everything from 5G connectivity to electronic PlusBus tickets.

From an ITSO perspective, this rollout is a major win for smart ticketing standards. The new system fully supports ITSO 2.1.5 Specifications and utilises V4 ISAMs. This combination delivers significantly faster transaction speeds and enhanced security, ensuring Reading Buses remains aligned with the latest national smart ticketing requirements.

The project also showcases the power of seamless integration. By working "On" the business infrastructure, the team ensured the new hardware integrates with critical third-party platforms including Littlepay for payments and Passenger for app data. This streamlined approach ensures a consistent data flow across the operation, providing the high-level reporting and governance oversight essential for a modern transport network.

Robert Williams, CEO of Reading Buses, said: “We are delighted with the success of the TM700 and TOR rollout. Our teams have worked incredibly hard to ensure a smooth transition, and the new system is already delivering benefits across our operations.”

Minesh Vandra, Director at TransMach, added: “We are proud to support Reading Buses with our latest TM700 Modular ETMs and TOR technology. This upgrade delivers faster processing, improved convenience, and more efficient administration, and we look forward to continuing our partnership into 2026 and beyond.”

This rollout was completed on 15 December 2025, ensuring the entire fleet was upgraded ahead of the Christmas period. Early feedback from drivers, engineers, and passengers has been overwhelmingly positive

12 January 2026