Reading Buses and Thames Valley

[AlastairFraser]

It is a bit of a shame that Reading - Sonning Common - Henley has never been seen as a viable option instead of competition along the direct route. The journey time wouldn't be that uncompetitive relative to the Twyford / Wargrave route.

It's a good idea - but you run into one major problem - the route from the end of the current no. 25 Reading - Cav - Son Com - Peppard Com route ends at the Unicorn in Peppard Common.

This means you either have to 1.) divert down Colliers Lane (a problem since it is a tiny with a large vehicles restriction) to reach the B481 and the route onwards to Greys and Henley, or 2.) or turn right onto Gallowstree Rd to get to the B481 much further south in Peppard - missing out a chunk of the northern section of the route.

Maybe Reading Buses will consider having a chat with the National Trust and extending the new ruby 28 from Henley up to Greys Court every hour.
The NT give a discount on entry for public transport use and there's nothing but a very infrequent village shopper bus up that way.

 

[nctd2306]

I'm hearing that vehicle 424 has been repainted into an updated leopard livery, meaning this route will be the next to get a refreshed look
Does anyone have any pictures they can link of the new livery?

 

[Bread & cheese]

Reading Buses have published a few details of their forthcoming Reading to Henley service on their website.

"a new service between Reading, Caversham, Shiplake and Henley-on-Thames from Monday 29 July.
The new ‘aqua 28’ route will run every 30 minutes Mondays-Saturdays and up to every hour evenings and Sundays...
Whilst other operators in High Wycombe and Aylesbury are stepping in to provide replacements for Arriva’s services, our aim is to supplement those efforts with a fast and high-quality service...
The buses themselves will run on sustainably sourced bio-methane"

https://www.reading-buses.co.uk/new-route-between-reading-and-henley
The reference to a 'fast' service presumably means it will not divert from the main road.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Reading Buses have published a few details of their forthcoming Reading to Henley service on their website.

https://www.reading-buses.co.uk/new-route-between-reading-and-henley
The reference to a 'fast' service presumably means it will not divert from the main road.

Eh - the fast and frequent service doesn't necessarily mean that - perhaps just in comparison to Arriva's appalling track record on this route with buses that frequently break down, and struggle to climb the steep hills.

A senior source on another forum (it's a closed Facebook group called Reading Transport Enthusiasts Club if people wish to join and verify for themselves) said that the buses are coming from Stagecoach North East for it, likely the gas Alexander Dennis Enviro300SGs.
One of Reading Buses' existing models of this type holds the bus speed record, and can climb hills like an absolute rocket - fast is very apposite here.

 

[Voyager 2953]

Eh - the fast and frequent service doesn't necessarily mean that - perhaps just in comparison to Arriva's appalling track record on this route with buses that frequently break down, and struggle to climb the steep hills.

A senior source on another forum (it's a closed Facebook group called Reading Transport Enthusiasts Club if people wish to join and verify for themselves) said that the buses are coming from Stagecoach North East for it, likely the gas Alexander Dennis Enviro300SGs.
One of Reading Buses' existing models of this type holds the bus speed record, and can climb hills like an absolute rocket - fast is very apposite here.

The gas buses are quick but they aren’t that quick. The Citaros are far quicker and get to speed much faster, holding the speed record doesn’t actually merit for much. Maintenance lets those Citaros down but they are still solid machines.

 

[AlastairFraser]

The gas buses are quick but they aren’t that quick. The Citaros are far quicker and get to speed much faster, holding the speed record doesn’t actually merit for much. Maintenance lets those Citaros down but they are still solid machines.

Half the time, Arriva weren't even putting out Citaros! Mostly old Wright Commanders, and then upgraded to Citaros when Carousel came to compete with the X80 Regatta.
Under the new management, they might be able to keep up, but I suspect Reading's superior local knowledge at this end of the route will mean they will be able to beat Carousel.

 

[cactustwirly]

Half the time, Arriva weren't even putting out Citaros! Mostly old Wright Commanders, and then upgraded to Citaros when Carousel came to compete with the X80 Regatta.
Under the new management, they might be able to keep up, but I suspect Reading's superior local knowledge at this end of the route will mean they will be able to beat Carousel.

It's been solidly Citaros for the last 8 years or so

 

[AlastairFraser]

It's been solidly Citaros for the last 8 years or so

I've been told they've put out loads of other junk for years now (well, depends what will start that day), but the dedicated buses are supposed to be those MAX interior Citaros, yes.

 

[Fletcj10]

I'm hearing that vehicle 424 has been repainted into an updated leopard livery, meaning this route will be the next to get a refreshed look
Does anyone have any pictures they can link of the new livery?

https://flic.kr/p/2pYGJuL this is my photo

with a few other shots:
Side: https://www.flickr.com/photos/138705729@N04/53805196902/in/datetaken/
Rear: https://www.flickr.com/photos/138705729@N04/53806459864/in/datetaken/

 

[Voyager 2953]

I've been told they've put out loads of other junk for years now (well, depends what will start that day), but the dedicated buses are supposed to be those MAX interior Citaros, yes.

The allocation is Citaros and has been since 2017, there have obviously been strays but the 800/850 are allocated Citaros.

 

[K4016td]

Are loads between Henley and Reading on par with these between Wycombe and Henley? Also would potential split into two routes, one run by Carousel between Wycombe and Henley and the other one by Reading Buses improve the overall reliability - of course it would affect commuters between High Wycombe and Reading but are there that many of them that travel end to end?

 

[cactustwirly]

Are loads between Henley and Reading on par with these between Wycombe and Henley? Also would potential split into two routes, one run by Carousel between Wycombe and Henley and the other one by Reading Buses improve the overall reliability - of course it would affect commuters between High Wycombe and Reading but are there that many of them that travel end to end?

You're forgetting the existence of the 850 which takes a different route to the Reading buses proposed route.

 

[nctd2306]

https://flic.kr/p/2pYGJuL this is my photo

with a few other shots:
Side: https://www.flickr.com/photos/138705729@N04/53805196902/in/datetaken/
Rear: https://www.flickr.com/photos/138705729@N04/53806459864/in/datetaken/

Thank you, that looks much more up to date with the rest of the fleet now!

 

[Bungle158]

Hmm. Doubt if it will be via the villages. Will be unwanted competition for Carousel, not sure it’s helpful. And this route used to be the 329, not the 328 (and long ago the 28) - this was the 850 via Wargrave.

Long ago, during the first iteration of Thames Valley, the 28 ran mostly on the Berkshire side of the river, serving Wargrave and crossing via Henley Bridge and continuing to Marlow and High Wycombe. The 8 served Caversham and continued via Binfield Heath on the Oxon side, to terminate in Henley.

 

[JonathanH]

Long ago, during the first iteration of Thames Valley, the 28 ran mostly on the Berkshire side of the river, serving Wargrave and crossing via Henley Bridge and continuing to Marlow and High Wycombe. The 8 served Caversham and continued via Binfield Heath on the Oxon side, to terminate in Henley.

Yes, the 1965 timetable that I have has an hourly service on the 8 from Reading to Henley via Binfield Heath, and the 28 running hourly via Wargrave from Reading through Henley to Marlow and High Wycombe, with additional short workings between Marlow and High Wycombe. No diversion via Twyford in those days.

 

[Thames99]

Thames Valley used to run open top buses on a route alongside the Thames I think. Was that route 28?

 

[JonathanH]

Thames Valley used to run open top buses on a route alongside the Thames I think. Was that route 28?

There was an open top bus route between Windsor and Marlow operated by Alder Valley using two old VRs in the 1980s. Not the 28 (later 328, 850) which was and is a trunk route from Reading to High Wycombe

LFS296F NBC Alder Valley open top bus - Scarborough BusFest 2018

Supplied new to Eastern Scottish in 1968, LFS 296F is actually quite a rare bus... one of only 25 ever built of the 33ft long variety ECW bodied long wheelbase Bristol VRTLL and these ones were also the only production VR's on an F reg. As with another Scottish VR in preservation, this one was...

www.flickr.com

 

[AlastairFraser]

Are loads between Henley and Reading on par with these between Wycombe and Henley? Also would potential split into two routes, one run by Carousel between Wycombe and Henley and the other one by Reading Buses improve the overall reliability - of course it would affect commuters between High Wycombe and Reading but are there that many of them that travel end to end?

1) The loads are not quite comparable, due to the train option (which is faster from central Reading and points south/west). But the load is significant enough for 2 operators on different routes (school/college/some work traffic into south Oxon from north of the Thames Reading/vice versa, tourists visiting Henley from further afield changing off an intercity service at Reading, plus a bit from villages like Shiplake proper into Henley/Reading).

2.) The split of 2 routes is a non-starter, there's a lot of cross Henley traffic at least as far as Marlow (various large traffic draws along the way), and the substantial Reading (including Caversham) to Henley and beyond is better served by a more express that stays on the A4155 between Playhatch roundabout just past the Reading/South Oxfordshire boundary and the Plough pub in Shiplake.

Instead, the 2nd "local" route would be better turning off through the sizeable villages of Binfield Heath and Dunsden Green, which have substantial traffic of their own - route would be something like Reading - Dunsden Green - Binfield Heath - Shiplake Row - Henley town centre - Henley College + suburbs (long standing tradition of local town circular buses and it's a very hilly town with a much older than average population, also a direct bus to the college would mean more college students use the bus than they do currently - parking is an issue for a lot of village based students).

 

[Bread & cheese]

Reading Buses have now published their route 28 timetable.
A quick comparison with the competing Carousel service.
Monday to Friday, between the peaks, usual times.
(Note: a few 800s detour through Binfield Heath with a 5 minute slower journey. 28 and 800 go via Shiplake, 850 goes via Wargrave.)

Reading Buses 28:
Reading, Friar Street 00, 30
Henley, Bell Street 40, 10

Carousel 800 / 850:
Reading, Friar Street 10, 50
Henley, Bell Street 00, 30

Reading Buses 28:
Henley, Hart Street 15, 45
Reading, Friar Street 55, 25

Carousel 800 / 850:
Henley, Hart Street 20, 50
Reading, Friar Street 00, 40

Both Reading Buses and Carousel have a first Monday to Friday departure from Reading at 0500. Reading Buses have a later Monday to Saturday departure from Reading at 23.15 (Carousel 23.00), and from Henley at 23.45 (Carousel 22.15).

https://images.reading-buses.co.uk/downloads/aqua%20leaflet%20jun24%20web.pdf

https://images-carouselbuses.passenger-website.com/downloads/800%20850%20web%20tt%20jul24.pdf

 

[AlastairFraser]

Reading Buses have now published their route 28 timetable.
A quick comparison with the competing Carousel service.
Monday to Friday, between the peaks, usual times.
(Note: a few 800s detour through Binfield Heath with a 5 minute slower journey. 28 and 800 go via Shiplake, 850 goes via Wargrave.)

Reading Buses 28:
Reading, Friar Street 00, 30
Henley, Bell Street 40, 10

Carousel 800 / 850:
Reading, Friar Street 10, 50
Henley, Bell Street 00, 30

Reading Buses 28:
Henley, Hart Street 15, 45
Reading, Friar Street 55, 25

Carousel 800 / 850:
Henley, Hart Street 20, 50
Reading, Friar Street 00, 40

Both Reading Buses and Carousel have a first Monday to Friday departure from Reading at 0500. Reading Buses have a later Monday to Saturday departure from Reading at 23.15 (Carousel 23.00), and from Henley at 23.45 (Carousel 22.15).

https://images.reading-buses.co.uk/downloads/aqua%20leaflet%20jun24%20web.pdf

https://images-carouselbuses.passenger-website.com/downloads/800%20850%20web%20tt%20jul24.pdf

Odd that they've chosen to avoid Binfield Heath and Dunsden. I think they'll still be relatively successful on the basis of college students heading towards Henley and commuting into Reading.

 

[CharredCobalt]

I was just randomly scrolling through the list of bus registrations in Reading when I found a new registration for a “20” service.

Registration numberPH0005856/229
Licence NumberPH0005856
Variation number
StatusNew
Service number.20, 20
Service typeLimited Stop
Start pointReading Station and University of Reading
Finish pointReading Station and University of Reading
Vialimited stop
Date received19 Jul 2024
Effective date02 Sep 2024
End date
Supported by subsidies?No
Local authorities covered by routeReading Borough Council
TAOs covered by routeWest of England

Seeing how it will run between Reading Station and the UoR, I assume it’s related to the “new service” that’s mentioned near the end of this article.

Chances are you may have spotted a few of our buses running between Central Reading and the University recently that have a very unique, new, colour scheme!

This is the first phase of some improvements to the University service. We have taken this early opportunity to repaint three of our ex-lion buses into the new colour scheme ready for a big launch in September! The buses will be found on our claret 21a route, in preparation for the changes for the new academic year.

The new colour scheme is designed to stand out from the rest of our network by being more muted – and to fit in with the new name and logo which is being kept a closely guarded secret.

We know you will all want to know more about the changes, but sufficed to say this new service will be the perfect steed for your travels between town and the campus!

 

[AlastairFraser]

I was just randomly scrolling through the list of bus registrations in Reading when I found a new registration for a “20” service. Seeing how it will run between Reading Station and the UoR, I assume it’s related to the “new service” that’s mentioned near the end of this article.

Yes, maybe it will be like an express 21a (short journeys of the central Reading - UoR - Lower Earley service 21).

 

[CharredCobalt]

Yes, maybe it will be like an express 21a (short journeys of the central Reading - UoR - Lower Earley service 21).

Seems like it. It might also run during term time only, given its route being limited stop between the two.

There also appears to be another new registration for a "43" and "93" service to Upper Basildon, effective on the same date. My guess is that the 43 will either replace or complement the existing Thames Travel 143 to Upper Basildon (maybe even the whole of the 143!) The 93 will probably be a school service, which might replace the existing BB3.

• Registration numberPH0005856/230
• Licence NumberPH0005856

• Variation number
• StatusNew
• Service number.43, 43, 93
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointReading
• Finish pointUpper Basildon
• ViaPangbourne
• Date received19 Jul 2024
• Effective date02 Sep 2024
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?In Part
• Local authorities covered by routeOxfordshire County Council
• Reading Borough Council
• West Berkshire District Council
• TAOs covered by routeWest of England

 

[Parebunks]

Seems like it. It might also run during term time only, given its route being limited stop between the two.

There also appears to be another new registration for a "43" and "93" service to Upper Basildon, effective on the same date. My guess is that the 43 will either replace or complement the existing Thames Travel 143 to Upper Basildon (maybe even the whole of the 143!) The 93 will probably be a school service, which might replace the existing BB3.

Yes, the 143 is being replaced, per minutes of latest West Berkshire enhanced partnership forum. West Berks are after a more frequent service to Pangbourne facilitated by a new turning circle - suspect the retender is partially to help that

 

[richard13]

Yes, the 143 is being replaced, per minutes of latest West Berkshire enhanced partnership forum. West Berks are after a more frequent service to Pangbourne facilitated by a new turning circle - suspect the retender is partially to help that

The minutes of the West Berks partnership forum also states that the turning circle project BP1 at Pangbourne has been dropped and funds transferred to passenger waiting facilities. 143 becomes Reading Buses 43.

 

[Parebunks]

The minutes of the West Berks partnership forum also states that the turning circle project BP1 at Pangbourne has been dropped and funds transferred to passenger waiting facilities. 143 becomes Reading Buses 43.

Whoops, not sure how I didn't spot that - bit of a shame, assume that means the 43 will stay at roughly the same limited level of service as the current 143.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Seems like it. It might also run during term time only, given its route being limited stop between the two.

There also appears to be another new registration for a "43" and "93" service to Upper Basildon, effective on the same date. My guess is that the 43 will either replace or complement the existing Thames Travel 143 to Upper Basildon (maybe even the whole of the 143!) The 93 will probably be a school service, which might replace the existing BB3.

It also means potential removal of the Thames Travel outstation at the Reading Buses depot in Gt Knollys St, no? It's primarily there for servicing Thames Travel's operation of route 143.

 

[Parebunks]

It also means potential removal of the Thames Travel outstation at the Reading Buses depot in Gt Knollys St, no? It's primarily there for servicing Thames Travel's operation of route 143.

I doubt this - changes planned on both the Oxford-Reading X40 (frequency up 1BPH over the whole route, see latest Oxford BSIP, p. 31) and the Carousel 800/850 (no specifics yet, but discussed on the 'Arriva leaving Wycombe' thread) from the autumn, so sure they'll still be able to find some use for it.

 

[CharredCobalt]

It also means potential removal of the Thames Travel outstation at the Reading Buses depot in Gt Knollys St, no? It's primarily there for servicing Thames Travel's operation of route 143.

That's what I also thought. However, as the the post above me says, there is going to be frequency improvements on the X40. We'll just have to see in September.

 

[AlastairFraser]

I doubt this - changes planned on both the Oxford-Reading X40 (frequency up 1BPH over the whole route, see latest Oxford BSIP, p. 31) and the Carousel 800/850 (no specifics yet, but discussed on the 'Arriva leaving Wycombe' thread) from the autumn, so sure they'll still be able to find some use for it.

The X40 improvements are something I hadn't spotted, thank you. With Carousel, I'm not sure if they would share the outstation, because themselves and TT are still separate companies within the GoAhead group.

That's what I also thought. However, as the the post above me says, there is going to be frequency improvements on the X40. We'll just have to see in September.

Agreed.