Railair RA1 Maidenhead

[ess]

I noticed that the RA1 Reading to Heathrow Railair bus stops at Braywick Cemetery in Maidenhead. Is this new? Does anyone know when did that change?
It only takes half an hour. The alternative number 4 takes over an hour.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I used to love going Reading to Heathrow non-stop. Hope not every coach stops in Maidenhead.

 

[Non Multi]

The stop was added last year as a result of the drop in passenger numbers. In my opinion it's too far away from Maidenhead town centre to be really useful.

 

[Paul Kelly]

I found this out by accident on a return trip from Reading to Heathrow this weekend. It adds about 8-10 minutes to the journey. I have to say I'm finding it quite infuriating and also very surprising as the bus is already only marginally competitive with the train - from Reading to Terminal 5 the bus was usually quicker, but to Terminal 2 it can be quicker to take a train to Hayes & Harlington followed by a local bus. This change is making the bus lose its competitiveness for Terminal 5, compared to taking a train to West Drayton followed by a local bus - and at over 2.5 times the price it's getting very hard to justify taking the bus! The convenience of having no changes is now really the only thing going for it.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I found this out by accident on a return trip from Reading to Heathrow this weekend. It adds about 8-10 minutes to the journey. I have to say I'm finding it quite infuriating and also very surprising as the bus is already only marginally competitive with the train - from Reading to Terminal 5 the bus was usually quicker, but to Terminal 2 it can be quicker to take a train to Hayes & Harlington followed by a local bus. This change is making the bus lose its competitiveness for Terminal 5, compared to taking a train to West Drayton followed by a local bus - and at over 2.5 times the price it's getting very hard to justify taking the bus! The convenience of having no changes is now really the only thing going for it.

I don't mind the change from Great Western to Heathrow Connect in Hayes and Harlington*

*GWR and whoever operates the stopping train from Paddington to Heathrow!

 

[Paul Kelly]

I don't mind the change from Great Western to Heathrow Connect in Hayes and Harlington*

True; if the connection timing works out that is by far the quickest option, although close to a fiver more expensive than the bus from Hayes & Harlington (it's operated by TfL Rail now).