IT was recently announced that Reading is officially on the London Tube Map - and the new, 'improved' timetable kicks in today.

Stopping services between London Paddington and Reading will be run by TfL Rail, in what will be the next step towards the delivery of the Elizabeth line.

READ THE FULL STORY: Reading added to London Tube Map ahead of Elizabeth Line completion

Between December 15, 2019 and January 2, 2020, existing fares will apply.

Customers will be able to use contactless pay as you go between London Paddington and Reading from January 2.

The news was met with a lot of excitement from readers who are pleased with the prospect of an alternative route to London from Reading and surrounding areas, such as Bracknell.

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When the Chronicle shared the news on its Facebook page, it was met with a flood of comments from locals.

One said: "Amazing news", while another said: "This will be good news for us."

Another evidently tagged friends who had been wanting to visit her, saying: "Now you both don't have any excuses", and one added: "This will help reaching our destinations."

However, not everyone was happy with the announcement.

One reader said: "What a waste of time and money."

Other negative responses included: "Does Reading actually want to be seen as a suburb of London?

"So much for being a rural market town! It's a full commute, not just a couple of minutes on a tube train.

"Bring back GWR! Not to mention bring back the comforts of the 21st century - even some buses in London have USB charging points, for goodness' sake, and comfy seats!

"Though lack of tables and loos is even worse. Who can people complain to, to get all this changed?" and "Brilliant, nothing like a commute to work on a train without toilets, no charging points, no tables. And the fares will keep going up."