Scania OmniCity
Reading have a total of 12 OmniCity single deckers finished to a high specification for dedicated business services. Each feature colour LED destination displays, air conditioning and Euro IV engines. They follow 30 Scania L94UB / Wright Solars that had been ordered over the preceding two years. A large order book at Wrightbus meant that they couldn't build more Solars in time for the required launch dates, so OmniCity vehicles were ordered instead.
The first five 1-5 are allocated to Reading and additionally feature leather seats and WiFi internet access. After several delays during manufacture, they were eventually delivered towards the end September 2006 with 3 arriving on 22nd, 1/2 on 23rd and 4/5 tbc. All entered service on 2nd October on the Thames Valley Park shuttle service alongside improvements to the timetable providing departures upto every 8 minutes during peak periods. Below 1 is seen making the turn at the bottom of Station Hill on 2nd October 2006:
2 arriving at Reading Station from Thames Valley Park on 2nd October 2006:
2 heading for Thames Valley Park along Kings Road on 4th October 2006:
Thanks to Mark Lyons for this photo.
3 showing the rear profile whilst passing the entrance to Reading Station on 2nd October 2006:
5 ready to pick up passengers at the Station on 2nd October 2006:
The second batch 7-11 were delivered to Reading on 13th October 2006 for inspection before moving to Newbury on 22nd to enter service on 23rd on Vodafone services (although the launch was originally to be on 2nd October). 12 arrived somewhat later, and moved from Reading to Newbury on 17th November, and entered service on 20th. All seven wear a dedicated red livery with Vodafone logos. 8 is seen below on it's first day in service on 23rd October 2006:
9 arriving at Newbury Bus Station on 23rd October 2006 on the SH2 to Horizon West:
The rear profiles of 7 and 9 on 23rd October 2006:
