Reading Buses and Thames Valley

[Trainman40083]

Soon be time to sell the buses they have replaced.

 

[cactustwirly]

Soon be time to sell the buses they have replaced.

I believe all the E400 generics are withdrawn and listed for sale

The Berry and Blues will follow after they have been replaced

 

[Fletcj10]

Ah thank you both, I couldn't remember if new buses were on order (for the 26) or if they were being replaced with cascaded ones!

I do hope the recently transferred e200s to Thames Valley get repainted soon, it took them years to repaint all the Ex Courtney ones and now those repainted ones have returned to the leasing company, we are once again left with lots of plain white buses running around, very out of place compared to Reading's branded buses (and the newer TV vehicles).

I wouldn't hold your breath, Wokingham is in the process of doing bus consulting on some of their services so a chance they then might end up reconfiguring some meaning they might not need the plan white ones anymore, the repaints have been terribly slow and i don't think this will change for some time

 

[crablab]

I saw some of the new buses on the 17 this morning. Very shiny.

No centre doors, which I can't help feeling is a step backwards - 17, 21 and 26 are all busy "inner city" routes with frequent stops and lots of churn. The bus I saw decanting at Cheapside (no double doors) was having the usual congestion issues trying to funnel everyone through the front doors on a crowded bus where not everyone is getting off, and lots more want to get on!

 

[Fletcj10]

I saw some of the new buses on the 17 this morning. Very shiny.

No centre doors, which I can't help feeling is a step backwards - 17, 21 and 26 are all busy "inner city" routes with frequent stops and lots of churn. The bus I saw decanting at Cheapside (no double doors) was having the usual congestion issues trying to funnel everyone through the front doors on a crowded bus where not everyone is getting off, and lots more want to get on!

The issue with the dual doors on the 17 is only a handful of stops actually support the dual doors, when the YP67s entered service it was always designed to be for a few stops only with even audible "centre doors will open" or something like that, however that became annoying so it was turned off.

Another issue is Oxford Road can get busy with other buses so the 17s will be pulling into stops at an angle further making the rear doors useless.

The use of the dual doors (to knowledge) seams to be a bonus on the Greenwave as that's one of the reasons they gained 706,8 & 9.

I'll be surprised but also not if the refurbished examples come back as dual door, as the rumor going around at the moment is SkyBlue will be dual door on cost grounds (it's cheaper to leave them as is).

To be fair the YP67s never had a good run really as the stops never got modified to allow all the stops to be used, so really from day one the doors have been a costly extra, if they or the council helped Reading modify the stops it might of given them the incentive to push it out to other routes perhaps White Knight

Reading's never had good running's with dual doors, in the 90s they in house converted a number of buses to single door, admittedly that was due to fare evasion & people getting stuck in the door's which isn't really an issue today.

i can't comment on the Yellow & Claret or even Emerald say but i know again even with Skyblue when they have had 707 in use on it the only time the doors open is when the bus is at a stop that can take dual door.

 

[Mark L]

The issue with the dual doors on the 17 is only a handful of stops actually support the dual doors, when the YP67s entered service it was always designed to be for a few stops only with even audible "centre doors will open" or something like that, however that became annoying so it was turned off.

Another issue is Oxford Road can get busy with other buses so the 17s will be pulling into stops at an angle further making the rear doors useless.

The use of the dual doors (to knowledge) seams to be a bonus on the Greenwave as that's one of the reasons they gained 706,8 & 9.

I'll be surprised but also not if the refurbished examples come back as dual door, as the rumor going around at the moment is SkyBlue will be dual door on cost grounds (it's cheaper to leave them as is).

To be fair the YP67s never had a good run really as the stops never got modified to allow all the stops to be used, so really from day one the doors have been a costly extra, if they or the council helped Reading modify the stops it might of given them the incentive to push it out to other routes perhaps White Knight

Reading's never had good running's with dual doors, in the 90s they in house converted a number of buses to single door, admittedly that was due to fare evasion & people getting stuck in the door's which isn't really an issue today.

i can't comment on the Yellow & Claret or even Emerald say but i know again even with Skyblue when they have had 707 in use on it the only time the doors open is when the bus is at a stop that can take dual door.

Reading actually had a more sustained attempt at dual door buses than most operators. From 1957 until 1968 it took delivery of AEC Reliances and Bristol REs with dual door bodywork. From 1971 until 1987 all new double deckers (apart from those intended for long distance services) were dual door. Latterly many of these were subject to a rather rudimentary single door conversion.

The thinking behind dual door buses in the 17 was sound - it has sections in the town centre where passengers board and alight in significant numbers at the same stops - but the savings in dwellings times have not been sufficient to offset some of the disadvantages noted elsewhere. In practice the centre doors have often not been used even where physical layout permitted it.

 

[Goldfish62]

Reading actually had a more sustained attempt at dual door buses than most operators. From 1957 until 1968 it took delivery of AEC Reliances and Bristol REs with dual door bodywork. From 1971 until 1987 all new double deckers (apart from those intended for long distance services) were dual door. Latterly many of these were subject to a rather rudimentary single door conversion.

The thinking behind dual door buses in the 17 was sound - it has sections in the town centre where passengers board and alight in significant numbers at the same stops - but the savings in dwellings times have not been sufficient to offset some of the disadvantages noted elsewhere. In practice the centre doors have often not been used even where physical layout permitted it.

The other point to note is that DfT required two wheelchair spaces on all ZEBRA-funded EVs. With two doors this would have reduced the number of seats in the low floor section to even fewer than you typically find. The UK minimum legal requirement is four priority seats, which must all be on the low floor section. I'm not familiar with the layout on the E400EVs, but you only have to look at the London BYDs to see that with just six seats on the low floor section it would not be possible to have a second wheelchair space.

 

[Mark L]

The other point to note is that DfT required two wheelchair spaces on all ZEBRA-funded EVs. With two doors this would have reduced the number of seats in the low floor section to even fewer than you typically find. The UK minimum legal requirement is four priority seats, which must all be on the low floor section. I'm not familiar with the layout on the E400EVs, but you only have to look at the London BYDs to see that with just six seats on the low floor section it would not be possible to have a second wheelchair space.

Looking at the ADL website (https://www.alexander-dennis.com/si...3/06/Alexander-Dennis-Enviro400EV-2026-01.pdf ) I wonder whether it actually offers a dual door “provincial” spec bus. The standard offering would seem to be a single door, 11.1m bus with one door and two large wheelchair bays. I suspect a shorter bay would be possible (within legal constraints) to allow for dual doors and four accessible seats.

The Reading buses have a bespoke interior which includes facing pairs of seats with tables and only four seats in the last row.

 

[Trainman40083]

Former Reading Buses Enviro 400, fleet no..1201 has passed to Stanton of Stoke on Trent.

 

[Beebman]

901 has been very badly damaged this morning at Loddon Bridge after hitting the railway bridge with 4 people injured

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/25919180.reading-bus-crashes-bridge---live-updates/ (photo attached below)

Another article:

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/25919475.reading-driver-passengers-taken-hospital/

A bus driver and three passengers have been injured after a bus crashed into a bridge this morning (March 9).


Emergency services, including Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service were called to Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley, at about 9.17am.
Two passengers were taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital, including the driver, while one other was treated at the scene. None have life threatening injuries, South Central Ambulance Service has said.
It is believed the bus driver "may have experienced a medical episode at the wheel".

A spokesman said: "Two passengers - a female in her 80s and a female in her 40s had sustained facial injuries and were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital; the third passenger was a teenager who had sustained minor injuries and was treated and discharged on scene to go home with their parents."

Reading Buses said buses are being diverted via Showcase cinema roundabout, The Bader Way & Colemansmoor Road, with up to 10-15 minute delays.

A spokesman said: "We apologise for the disruption to your journey. Thank you for your patience."

 

[Mark L]

901 has been very badly damaged this morning at Loddon Bridge after hitting the railway bridge with 4 people injured

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/25919180.reading-bus-crashes-bridge---live-updates/ (photo attached below)

Another article:

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/25919475.reading-driver-passengers-taken-hospital/

It was the 12’3” bridge that carries the A3290 over Loddon Bridge Road. This is immediately before (in the direction that the bus was travelling) the rail bridge that caries the Reading - Waterloo line. It would appear that the driver of vehicle 901, which was on service 13 (unlucky for some), missed the turn into Colmansmoor Road.

 

[Beebman]

It was the 12’3” bridge that carries the A3290 over Loddon Bridge Road. This is immediately before (in the direction that the bus was travelling) the rail bridge that caries the Reading - Waterloo line. It would appear that the driver of vehicle 901, which was on service 13 (unlucky for some), missed the turn into Colmansmoor Road.

Thanks for the clarification - I've just seen the attached photo from a local Facebook group (Lower Earley Discussion Group) which shows that it did indeed hit the A3290 bridge.

 

[crablab]

Funding awarded for 17 more electric buses in Reading

A further 17 electric buses are coming to Reading thanks to a £3 million grant announced by the Department for Transport today.

The latest funding, secured by the council with Reading Buses, will bring the total number of electric double deckers in the town to 49.

The high-spec new buses with high back comfy seats, heating and air conditioning, will operate on the Reading Buses emerald 5 & 6 routes which serve south Reading, and other routes in the borough.

Reading Buses already has one of the most eco-friendly fleets in the country and the addition of another 17 electric buses will further support the Council’s aims of encouraging public transport use, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality for the health of Reading residents.

Reading’s first fleet of 24 battery electric buses started operating on the Reading Buses purple 17 and claret 21 routes in February.

Another eight zero-emission double deckers are due to start carrying passengers on the yellow 26 route, which serves Calcot via Southcote, Ford’s Farm and Beansheaf, this summer.

The £3m government grant from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 project will expand the electric bus network to the emerald 5 route, which runs between the town centre and Northumberland Avenue, and emerald 6 which serves Whitley Wood, in summer 2027. The remaining additional buses for other routes will arrive in 2028.

A total of £9m of DfT funding has been secured by the Council and Reading Buses for high-spec electric buses, plus the installation of charging stations and power upgrades at the Great Knollys Street depot.

The latest funding provides for 75% of the difference in cost of buying a zero-emission bus compared with a regular diesel bus and 75% of the cost of nine additional vehicle chargers, with the remainder being funded by Reading Buses.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“It is excellent news for bus passengers in Reading that the Council and Reading Buses have secured a further £3m of government funding for another 17 electric buses for the town.

“Passenger have already been travelling on the modern and comfortable new electric buses on the purple 17 and claret 21 routes and I am looking forward to the arrival of eight more on the yellow 26 Southcote and Calcot route this summer. I am delighted that residents in south Reading and other parts of the borough will also benefit from these new buses over the next two years.

“The Council has invested heavily in making public transport more reliable, accessible and convenient to use around Reading and we have seen the number of passengers continuing to grow.

“Not only do these zero-emission buses provide a smooth and quiet journey, they also transport thousands of people around Reading every day without emitting any harmful, polluting fumes.”

Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, said:

“Our electric buses have proven popular with customers and drivers alike, and we are very pleased that we will be able to continue rolling these zero emission buses out onto more routes in the coming years.”

Notes to editors:

• The Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 programme is a Department for Transport (DfT) initiative that provides capital funding to Local Authorities to support the rollout of zero‑emission buses (ZEBs) and associated charging infrastructure.
• Reading Borough Council was originally awarded £4,735,514 in March 2024 for 24 ZEBs followed by an additional £1,348,680 in May 2025 for a further 8 ZEBs. The additional £3m brings the overall total to £9,084,194 for 49 ZEBs and associated charging infrastructure.
• Reading has the third highest number of bus passenger journeys per head of population in England outside of London (109.6 compared with the national average of 62.4).
• There were 20 million bus passenger journeys in Reading in the year ending March 2025, up from 19.5m the previous year.
  

Funding awarded for 17 more electric buses in Reading | Reading Borough Council News

Reading Council and Reading Buses secure £3m government funding to expand electric bus fleet to 49 Passengers in south Reading will be next to benefit from smoother, quieter and zero-emission journeys from summer 2027 Total of £9m Department for Transport funding supports Council’s aims to...

media.reading.gov.uk

 

[wiltshirebloke]

Changes are being made to the Slough/Windsor short runs in favour of extending daytime journeys to Reading on the 'London Line' routes. This will change from next weekend 28th March 2026.

As announced on the Reading Buses Website :

changes to bus times between Windsor and Slough​

There will be changes to some departure times between Windsor and Slough. The extra 702 journeys that currently only run between Windsor and Slough during the middle of the day will no longer do so as alternative options are available on Flightline 703 in between journeys on the 702. The 702 and 703 will continue to provide three journeys an hour between Windsor and Slough.

an easier way from Reading to Legoland and Windsor​

We’re introducing additional London Line 701 journeys Mondays to Saturdays between Reading and Legoland Windsor making it easy to get to Legoland and make connections to Windsor.

In particular, on Saturdays the new 9.35am journey from Reading Station arrives at Legoland at 10.24am, and there is a bus back to Reading at 4.11pm, perfect for a great family day out. Buses will run to/from Reading every 2 hours in-between. There are also late buses back from Windsor Castle to Reading at 10.50pm and 11.50pm perfect for an evening out in Windsor.

 

[Fletcj10]

Changes are being made to the Slough/Windsor short runs in favour of extending daytime journeys to Reading on the 'London Line' routes. This will change from next weekend 28th March 2026.

As announced on the Reading Buses Website :

Having looked at the timetable thats 2 extra journeys a day, not great with PVR numbers so would that mean an increase of 2 extra buses?

 

[markymark2000]

Changes are being made to the Slough/Windsor short runs in favour of extending daytime journeys to Reading on the 'London Line' routes. This will change from next weekend 28th March 2026.

As announced on the Reading Buses Website :

What a godawful timetable layout for the trips extending to Reading. Bus randomly ending the timetable and then having to work out which 701 trips link up to the 702 trips. Given this is supposedly about boosting links from Reading to Legoland, to just cut the 701 timetable at Heathwood Hospital seems rather stupid. Put the Legoland times on then underneath say 'bus departs as a 702 to London at x'. Of course also not helped by the fact that the 701 has so many variations.
Would be so much easier and better to just label all trips to Reading via Legoland/Bracknell as 702, and all trips to Reading running fast to/from Slough/Windsor as a 701. Through journeys under 1 route number, with a simpler timetable. The whole thing has been made needlessly overcomplicated by Reading buses. If this is the work now being produced by an award winning operator, the bar has significantly dropped.

 

[nctd2306]

Having looked at the timetable thats 2 extra journeys a day, not great with PVR numbers so would that mean an increase of 2 extra buses?

Probably, since they took over the 702, Reading haven't once had enough Greenline/London Line branded buses to fulfill the PVR, I'd imagine this will just suck more generics away from the town services...
(And that's before you even take into account all the branded buses are rarely all in service at the same time, probably because they weren't designed for motorway running)

 

[Andyh82]

Having looked at the timetable thats 2 extra journeys a day, not great with PVR numbers so would that mean an increase of 2 extra buses?

It looks to be the same PVR 7 buses as currently

The two extra trips to Reading being instead of the short trips between Windsor and Slough

 

[Fletcj10]

Ah yes had noticed a generic reading city on the 701/2 for awhile from time to time

 

[cactustwirly]

Ah yes had noticed a generic reading city on the 701/2 for awhile from time to time

Worth noting RG23BUS is basically a 701/2 vehicle, has the Green mood lighting

The others are spares for the Jet Black and Lion and have the white lighting

 

[Fletcj10]

Worth noting RG23BUS is basically a 701/2 vehicle, has the Green mood lighting

The others are spares for the Jet Black and Lion and have the white lighting

Ah right yes, now you mention it iv'e always wondered why the light difference

 

[cactustwirly]

The EVs for the 26 have been delivered and confirmed to enter service this month

3 carry personalised registrations, RG25, RG26 ZEB and RG26 BUS as a generic.
4 with YX26 registrations

3 ex Claret YX64 E400MMCs being repainted to Orange - potentially to replace the Street decks?

 

[crablab]

The EVs for the 26 have been delivered and confirmed to enter service this month

Thank goodness; the current ones are falling apart.

 

[cactustwirly]

Thank goodness; the current ones are falling apart.

The 3 60 plates have just come back after a long period away and aren't too bad

One of the 11 plates sounds very broken

 

[BlainRhys]

Thames Valley is withdrawning routes 299/598 from 16th of April after the Budget from BFC was withdrawn making 13th/14th being the last time they are running

Withdrawal of services 299 and 598

We will be cancelling these routes from Wednesday 16th April

www.thamesvalleybuses.com

 

[davews]

299 ran only three days a week at two hour intervals. They claim usage was low, with that sort of service it is not surprising.

 

[Deerfold]

299 ran only three days a week at two hour intervals. They claim usage was low, with that sort of service it is not surprising.

But then, they're running what they're paid to run.

 

[Roger1973]

I believe 598 has been running since the early 80s as a 'lifeline' service for Little Sandhurst. At one time Alder Valley's Bracknell - Camberley route (broadly what's now the 194) had a few journeys a day via Little Sandhurst, but (if what I was told is correct) even a Leyland National couldn't fit under the railway bridge, so this was put on aimed mainly at elderly people who were less likely to be able to walk to the main road.

For many years, it was operated by Yateley Coaches / Taxis (photo - not my photo or Flickr account - here) as the only local bus service they operated - think it was one return journey, one or two days a week, then.

 

[Flange Squeal]

I believe 598 has been running since the early 80s as a 'lifeline' service for Little Sandhurst. At one time Alder Valley's Bracknell - Camberley route (broadly what's now the 194) had a few journeys a day via Little Sandhurst, but (if what I was told is correct) even a Leyland National couldn't fit under the railway bridge, so this was put on aimed mainly at elderly people who were less likely to be able to walk to the main road.

For many years, it was operated by Yateley Coaches / Taxis (photo - not my photo or Flickr account - here) as the only local bus service they operated - think it was one return journey, one or two days a week, then.

I’m not sure when Billenroy took the route over, but they operated it until 1995. Reading & Wokingham Coaches operated it for a few years 1995-1998, from when Yateley Taxis operated it right through until Courtney Buses took it on from 2014 (later rebranded Thames Valley after Reading Buses bought Courtney).

Interestingly, right through until 2014 the timetable still used ‘Allders Store’ as the Camberley timing point, many years after Allders closed down. In fact, so unchanged was the timetable until Courtney took it over, that my Surrey County Council timetable books from the early 2010s still have the 1995 date as the last revision date in the corner!

 

[crablab]

The EVs for the 26 have been delivered and confirmed to enter service this month

So we're a couple of weeks further on; do we have a date yet?