Reading Buses trail blaze the technology adoption frontier with Aircharge

The world’s first deployment of an Aircharge mobile phone and tablet charger on public transport has been installed on a Reading Buses double deck bus.

The revolutionary system, manufactured by wireless charging solutions provider Aircharge, removes the need for bus customers to carry a charging lead with them, or hunt around for charging sockets. This will free up space and encourage people to make use of the technology as it’s so easy to do.

Aircharge utilise Qi technology

 “This follows our earlier work on claret spritzer buses to deploy wireless mobile phone charging pads,” explained Martijn Gilbert, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer.

“It also builds upon our widespread adoption of USB charging points on other Reading Buses routes. The initial unit is being trialled in a refurbished bus that will also demonstrate other possible new concepts for the future, including seating layouts. Following the trial, we plan to fit more Aircharge units later in the year,” he revealed.

Barry Grant, Sales Director at Aircharge, commented:  “We’re really excited to be installing Aircharge into a bus fleet. Adoption of wireless charging is growing rapidly and transport is a key sector within the ecosystem. Over 40 models of cars globally now offer Qi wireless charging technology and it’s great to see Aircharge and Reading Buses being the first to bring this to a UK public transport service.”