Anyone going down to Reading for the annual open day on Sunday? I've just agreed to go down with TGB meaning a stupid o'clock start!
Saves me starting a new thread. For a somewhat random reason, I have suddenly gained interest in bus operations in Reading. It has occurred to me that they are one of the highly-presentable operator, such as Lothian - opinionated, of course.
www.reading-buses.co.uk
However, also like EYMS, there's a page for enthusiasts - well, a pdf - which shows the entire current fleet list, with almost everything you need to know about the bus, from Seating Capacity to Destination Display manufacturers to WiFi enabled, etc...
http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/files/fleet%20list/Dec%202014.pdf
I think that's pretty neat... Props to ReadingBuses.
Quote from: clayderman on November 01, 2015, 11:39:35 AM
Saves me starting a new thread. For a somewhat random reason, I have suddenly gained interest in bus operations in Reading. It has occurred to me that they are one of the highly-presentable operator, such as Lothian - opinionated, of course.
www.reading-buses.co.uk
However, also like EYMS, there's a page for enthusiasts - well, a pdf - which shows the entire current fleet list, with almost everything you need to know about the bus, from Seating Capacity to Destination Display manufacturers to WiFi enabled, etc...
http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/files/fleet%20list/Dec%202014.pdf
I think that's pretty neat... Props to ReadingBuses.
The website and fleet list are about a year out of date. Thumbs up to them for being so in depth.
A fleetlist from 19/10/2015 can be found at www.buszone.co.uk
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on November 01, 2015, 11:56:43 AM
The website and fleet list are about a year out of date. Thumbs up to them for being so in depth.
A fleetlist from 19/10/2015 can be found at www.buszone.co.uk
Bummer. Did seem suspicious when I couldn't see the "Emerald" E400MMCs, so I guess you're right.
Quote from: clayderman on November 01, 2015, 12:37:47 PM
Bummer. Did seem suspicious when I couldn't see the "Emerald" E400MMCs, so I guess you're right.
I had also recently looked for a Reading fleetlist. But I clicked on your link and in the file name it had the date. Hopefully you found what you wanted in the end.
Reading buses currently have YX65RKK Enviro 200MMC Demonstrator
( Not my picture) - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153437321988096&set=gm.1051959878155555&type=3&theater
Reading Buses have ordered 5 ADL Enviro 400MMC bodied Gas Fueled Scania N280UD's. They are due in October and are for the Royal Blue 33 service (Central Reading-Turnham's Farm)
Article Here:
https://m.facebook.com/busesmagazine/photos/a.862897400394097.1073741827.778598075490697/1311343718882794/?type=3
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/38337537395/in/feed Photo *obviously* not belonging to me.
I'll tell you what, Reading Buses is one damn-good company. 229 (SN61 BDE) has been given a "facelift", if you will. Formerly branded for the "Purple17"
Quote from: CL on December 22, 2017, 01:52:32 PM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/38337537395/in/feed Photo *obviously* not belonging to me.
I'll tell you what, Reading Buses is one damn-good company. 229 (SN61 BDE) has been given a "facelift", if you will. Formerly branded for the "Purple17"
Have you seen pics of the new Purple 17 Scania/Enviro 400 Cities. They look excellent ! The first of which was supposed to have entered service today
Reading Buses are operating a vintage service on the 702 when they take it over from First on there first day of operation between London and Reading on Christmas Eve.
- "The service is free, with all drivers and conductors giving their time voluntarily. Donations are welcome and will be collected on behalf of Red Balloon Learning Centres, who support schoolchildren who are missing, or have missed, vital education due to bullying or other trauma. Reading Buses staff choose a different charity every year to support, and Red Balloon is their charity for 2017."
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-b-tv-service-702-bracknell-london.156962/page-2
http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/files/timetables/new/green%20line%20702%20Xmas%20Eve%20special.pdf
Saw a pic of there Omnilink in Greenline livery on flickr-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lewisbus/38496984604/in/photolist-pBT2nA-rFAnKn-dKKF9o-pH5Qfq-rp8Wbo-pwsaHR-oxpWUP-kFfBgm-aGQJbv-orsPJ1-Xw8XP1-bwLKZY-9YJZdg-o3z2KZ-rhtb8C-c6Udnw-d4azgG-d49nNC-jhqMQq-o5sUcW-m7Gja5-BKzSTD-BBSo4p-qarUJT-Ra8d7a-JVw8hn-rPwEpf-8kLNjn-nb3Lvz-9LTqiT-iSgAjP-jgZNza-9wbZCa-hgs48h-9ARuFr-hgr4NN-P1TNDr-DvnmeX-JtVC1B-x1rDDU-ShbKEb-uy7DTW-xWembK-yoVff7-BBSyVV-J8oxVA-ASTS5L-21DR7iS-rtWSWH-u7WFzS/
Reported that Reading are taking on some Slough locals first are giving up, operating as Thames Valley.
;
https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/gallery/slough/125654/reading-buses-to-step-in-and-save-key-slough-bus-routes.html
http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/15789812.Some_bus_services_that_were_to_be_axed_have_been_saved__as_new_provider_is_contracted/
;
Quote from: Dylanbusboy45 on December 22, 2017, 01:58:50 PM
Have you seen pics of the new Purple 17 Scania/Enviro 400 Cities. They look excellent ! The first of which was supposed to have entered service today
There's a picture of one here:
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLKBwoyjfWY/Wjww9aRtqwI/AAAAAAAAJ2w/hgISCyXh1Bg6S9ZuT82MBS9wGa5-6QNMACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9891.JPG
I'm personally not a fan of the E400 City, I think it's really ugly compared to the MMC.
For those interested in Reading buses, there is now a version of the London Vehicle Finder available for Reading Bus here.
https://readingvf.uk/
Quote from: mikestone on December 22, 2017, 07:32:08 PM
Reported that Reading are taking on some Slough locals first are giving up, operating as Thames Valley.
;
https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/gallery/slough/125654/reading-buses-to-step-in-and-save-key-slough-bus-routes.html
http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/15789812.Some_bus_services_that_were_to_be_axed_have_been_saved__as_new_provider_is_contracted/
;
Using Optare Solo SR's.
https://twitter.com/MartRDG/status/952305527769456641
https://twitter.com/homecountiesbus/status/952353937956458498
https://twitter.com/MartRDG/status/951491148283072512
Service 2 in Slough was registered by both Reading and Courtney, but traveline says the Courtney one has been refused by the TCs, which seems odd.
QuoteReading Buses have agreed terms to purchase local independent operator Courtney Buses.
Founded in 1973 as a taxi firm before moving into coaches and later buses, Courtney Buses now operates a fleet of 57 buses on a network of services, including commercial local bus services in Bracknell and Slough, tendered services on behalf of Bracknell Forest, Wokingham Borough and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Councils, and several high-profile corporate contracts as far afield as Basingstoke, Didcot and Weybridge.
The acquisition also includes Courtney Bodyworks – which offers a range of vehicle repairs and a full-size bus paint shop – and Courtney Authorised Testing Facility, which is equipped to carry out MOT tests on large vehicles.
https://cbwmagazine.com/reading-buses-acquires-courtney-buses/
Quote from: StourValley98 on March 05, 2019, 01:10:39 PM
https://cbwmagazine.com/reading-buses-acquires-courtney-buses/
Seems a good purchase by Reading Buses, they're moping up a number of independents of late plus expanded in to Berskhire with former First routes previously.
Quote from: Winston on March 05, 2019, 02:00:11 PM
Seems a good purchase by Reading Buses, they're moping up a number of independents of late plus expanded in to Berskhire with former First routes previously.
Indeed, they have a very smart fleet from what I can tell from visits to Didcot, Bracknell, Heathrow and Slough. At this rate, they appear to be surrounding the former Beeline operations from all directions! Not many other independent companies left now in Berkshire I don't think, only White Bus of Winkfield springs to mind, who also run services into Surrey.
That's possibly true for the office contract services but last time I visited Maidenhead almost every bus was in a different livery.
Interestingly Reading's Slough area local routes are cancelled in this weeks N&P - searching the vosa site reveals that unsurprisingly they have been registered on the Courtney licence, particularly interesting as they were initially operated in competion with Courtney in their pre-Reading days.
Quote from: mikestone on September 20, 2019, 04:05:39 PM
Interestingly Reading's Slough area local routes are cancelled in this weeks N&P - searching the vosa site reveals that unsurprisingly they have been registered on the Courtney licence, particularly interesting as they were initially operated in competion with Courtney in their pre-Reading days.
Because Courtney is owned by Reading Buses it is merely an administrative measure