First Berkshire & Thames Valley

[Non Multi]

I agree with you - was definitely a good scheme. Sadly, the bees were smoked out, the badgers gassed, etc as First corporate identity was imposed.

The Best Impressions Beeline colour scheme did last on buses into the early-2000's IIRC, only the logo was replaced with one in First's typeface. There wasn't a rush to repaint the yellow buses into a 'Barbie' livery.

Only a batch of new ALX200s were in corporate 'Barbie' during that period. The fleet of Citaros were delivered in a silver/purple BAA Heathrow branding (similar to the Heathrow Express).

The 2014 Beeline livery for Bracknell used the Olympia template with a pastel blue-violet replacing the blue.

Of course, people still called it Beeline long after the name had been relegated to just legal lettering, but that's not particularly unusual.

 

[Goldfish62]

The Best Impressions Beeline colour scheme did last on buses into the early-2000's IIRC, only the logo was replaced with one in First's typeface. There wasn't a rush to repaint the yellow buses into a 'Barbie' livery.

And unlike other fleets the Best Impressions-style fleet name remained on most buses until repaint into Barbie livery, rather than being placed by First corporate style names.

 

[G760XRE]

As Berkshire doesn’t have its own thread yet, then it's time to start one in here. According to Marc, the first of the E400 MMCs (34380) due for Slough has been repainted and is about to head south from Glasgow:

https://twitter.com/marcmorganhuws/status/1632041295433564163?s=46&t=HARl5InJCB1TandXbPnhsg

(Photos by Marc Morgan Huws)

Earlier today I saw another of this batch painted in the same livery, on suspended tow heading towards (and presumably into) First Potteries Adderley Green depot. Vehicle was SO68HFX 34377. I'd hazard a guess this is also for First Berkshire and this is just a pit stop on the long journey south from Glasgow.

 

[Man of Kent]

Surely we had a Beeline 1.1?

1.0 was the original Beeline from 1987 with the less vibrant yellow and brown (or was it some dark grey?)
1.1 was the brighter Best Impressions one with the bright yellow and blue skirt and the orange band

Beeline 2.0 used the same colours as 1.1 but in the First template

Version 1.0 used grey, based on the contemporary Amsterdam tram livery (a particular interest of the then Managing Director).

 

[Goldfish62]

Version 1.0 used grey, based on the contemporary Amsterdam tram livery (a particular interest of the then Managing Director).

Indeed, Mr Braddock.

 

[67thave]

Apparently a printed timetable is being produced for this change, making it the first one issued since pre-COVID times.
Does anyone know if this is already in circulation and where it can be picked up if it is?

 

[Non Multi]

Apparently a printed timetable is being produced for this change, making it the first one issued since pre-COVID times.
Does anyone know if this is already in circulation and where it can be picked up if it is?

It's unlikely to be available before the timetable change on April 2nd, to avoid any confusion. They were often available on board, as well as in the local libraries a few weeks later. Unfortunately, the easiest place to find them was the information office at Slough bus station (closed).

I'd also expect a new printed booklet from Thames Valley as they also have timetable changes on 2/4/23, those are also available on board the buses normally allocated to the Slough & Windsor routes.

 

[67thave]

It's unlikely to be available before the timetable change on April 2nd, to avoid any confusion. They were often available on board, as well as in the local libraries a few weeks later. Unfortunately, the easiest place to find them was the information office at Slough bus station (closed).

That's unfortunate, as I'm returning to the States on Wednesday and probably won't be back in England for quite a while.

 

[Porte Molitor]

They attempted to axe the Maidenhead - Huntercombe portion of route 4 without any replacement, in the middle of last year citing low patronage, but there was a last minute reprieve. There were even A4 posters hastily affixed to bus shelters on the route suggesting that passengers could use the Elizabeth Line instead.

They also posted this notice in Uxbridge at the beginning of November 2022, where they were proposing to cut the 3 to run Iver to Uxbridge. I did query this with First and their customer services responded that the local garage weren't aware of any cuts . Good to see they didn't go ahead with it, and with the April change the Sunday service on the 3 goes back to it's (slightly longer) pre-Covid operating hours.

As you say, the £2 flat fare must be boosting the amount of passengers. First's fares in Buckinghamshire always seem high. The last time I caught the 3, about a year ago it was £5 single from Iver to Uxbridge. I think Slough to Uxbridge is normally just under £7 single. The last time I did it was for free as GWR and MTR had arranged ticket acceptance for rail tickets, due to no trains stopping at West Drayton.

 

[johnsy112]

They also posted this notice in Uxbridge at the beginning of November 2022, where they were proposing to cut the 3 to run Iver to Uxbridge. I did query this with First and their customer services responded that the local garage weren't aware of any cuts . Good to see they didn't go ahead with it, and with the April change the Sunday service on the 3 goes back to it's (slightly longer) pre-Covid operating hours.

As you say, the £2 flat fare must be boosting the amount of passengers. First's fares in Buckinghamshire always seem high. The last time I caught the 3, about a year ago it was £5 single from Iver to Uxbridge. I think Slough to Uxbridge is normally just under £7 single. The last time I did it was for free as GWR and MTR had arranged ticket acceptance for rail tickets, due to no trains stopping at West Drayton.


View attachment 131676

These notices, for route 3, as well as route 4, were later confirmed by First as complete spoof! Crazy to think someone actually put in the effort to put up these notices to rid First of its customers.

 

[fgwrich]

Tweet from Marc this week confirms that the leased E200s and Volvo Hybrids are being replaced with Streetlites from Southampton and E400 MMCs from Glasgow, and shows a near full Slough garage full of ex Southampton Streetlites.

 

[K4016td]

I wonder where these Volvos will go. They're not that old, therefore maybe second-hand market if First does not wish them anywhere else? Just on the occasion: does anyone know why tracking on bustimes.org for First Berkshire stopped working about 3 days ago?

 

[Mollman]

I wonder where these Volvos will go. They're not that old, therefore maybe second-hand market if First does not wish them anywhere else? Just on the occasion: does anyone know why tracking on bustimes.org for First Berkshire stopped working about 3 days ago?

First Essex seem to be repainting theirs in Shuttles Red, perhaps Slough's will head east

 

[cnjb8]

First Essex seem to be repainting theirs in Shuttles Red, perhaps Slough's will head east

That was only one at Essex and the decision to withdraw them all (including Essex) was made after it was repainted

 

[Mollman]

That was only one at Essex and the decision to withdraw them all (including Essex) was made after it was repainted

Ah, sorry hadn't realised.

 

[G760XRE]

Noticed today that 34377 is at Potteries Adderley Green Depot. Wondering now, as it's been here over a week, if this broke down on the way down from Glasgow and was towed to the nearest depot.

 

[K4016td]

First had just released their new timetable book with a revised branding for First Beeline. Looks smart indeed

Whole booklet avaliable here: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/First Beeline - Timetable Guide - 2 April 23 - WEB.pdf

 

[Goldfish62]

First had just released their new timetable book with a revised branding for First Beeline. Looks smart indeed

Whole booklet avaliable here: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/First Beeline - Timetable Guide - 2 April 23 - WEB.pdf

Nice booklet. Also give an indication of what the fully vinyled livery will look like. Certainly different to the last one that Best Impressions designed.

 

[fgwrich]

Nice booklet. Also give an indication of what the fully vinyled livery will look like. Certainly different to the last one that Best Impressions designed.

It certainly does, although I can't help but feel there's an element of day|tripper about it!

 

[Andyh82]

I’m presuming this book will be available in actual printed form at some point?

 

[Non Multi]

I’m presuming this book will be available in actual printed form at some point?

Yes, from what we've found out online about the re-launch.

There's at least one minor error on the new network map. The top of the loop for Burnham (routes 12, 13) is drawn over the wrong roads. The 2020 map that's still online has the correct drawing for that loop.

Other things:
firstbus.co.uk/beeline currently redirects to the First Berks homepage.

It'll be very interesting to see how successful First are moving route 4 to a clockwise loop around the western side of Cippenham. I think it was only back in 2017 that First withdrew their route 5 to Cippenham via Chalvey, stating that it wasn't viable as a commercial route. Not long after, Reading Buses decided to launch their own 'Thames Valley' route 5, which was pretty much the old First Berks route with financial support from Slough Council.

By 2021, only the western Cippenham leg of the Thames Valley route required financial support. Slough Council's funding has now ended (due to the council's dire finances), so from this Sunday Thames Valley's 5 will no longer run through to the north western side of Cippenham.

 

[Goldfish62]

It certainly does, although I can't help but feel there's an element of day|tripper about it!

I'm not struck on the livery. It just uses one of the Best Impressions standard templates. And Beeline should be yellow - it's a heinous crime otherwise!

 

[Flange Squeal]

It's not the clearest, but a photo of a bus with route 7 branding can be found at the following Flickr page:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/196674108@N04/52815417773/in/photostream/

 

[Non Multi]

Here's 2 more Flickr links of the e400MMCs in the new First Beeline livery, branded for route 7.

34380: https://www.flickr.com/photos/193133157@N08/52823840474

37382: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wanderer30/52818273627

 

[Andyh82]

I hadn’t made the connection that that purple is Heathrow Airport’s colour which I’m guessing isn’t coincidental

 

[cactustwirly]

Saw one in the flesh today at Heathrow Airport, looks quite smart

Although not sure it's an upgrade, those 09 plate single deckers are very comfortable

 

[Flange Squeal]

I hadn’t made the connection that that purple is Heathrow Airport’s colour which I’m guessing isn’t coincidental

It's certainly a possibility I guess, with vehicles on other routes that receive subsidy also having (in some cases had where no longer running) purple elements added along with Heathrow logos. These include:

• Carlone 442
• Arriva 724
• National Express 925
• Carousel Chiltern Hundreds

Thames Valley routes 10 and 459 also had a similar purple, but I don't recall Heathrow logos so not sure if that was 'official' or not.

 

[cnjb8]

Saw one in the flesh today at Heathrow Airport, looks quite smart

Although not sure it's an upgrade, those 09 plate single deckers are very comfortable

The 09 plates are staying. The 7900s and E200s are leaving luckily

 

[Flange Squeal]

The way in which the existing orange and purple route 4 livery on the 09-plate single deckers is being modified can be compared in these photos taken a week apart:

Seeing Double

69389 (HY09AUO) Route 8 at Windsor, Theatre Royal

www.flickr.com

Bee7RLE

First Berkshire Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban 69389 (HY09AUO) departs Slough whilst out of service, sporting new Beeline decals Formerly with First Hampshire & Dorset

www.flickr.com

 

[RELL6L]

The ‘new’ E400s look very smart but, from BusTimes, don’t look very reliable. Just passed one on the X74, it’s broken down in High Wycombe.