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2018

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| Site Last Updated: 17-08-20 |

15-07-18:

09-07-18:

  • Reading Transport Fleet List:
  • Fleet
    • Five Optare Metrodeckers were ordered in June for the Green Line service for delivery in June 2019. Thanks to Ian Dyer for this.
    • New in June was a Alexander Dennis Enviro 200MMC 135 in plain white with Thames Valley lettering for Slough, entering service on 12th.
    • Two Dennis Trident / Alexander Dennis ALX400s were acquired from Stagecoach South during April along with the operation of route 7 between Reading and Fleet from 16th April. They entered service in Stagecoach livery with Reading Buses logos.
    • Four elderly second hand Dennis Trident / East Lancs Myllennium Lolynes were acquired from Blackpool Transport in late January numbered 532-5 and repainted into plain blue for use on football services prior to arriving by 13 February. They were also registered from E17/19/16/18 BTS prior to entering service, and were new to the Isle of Man.
    • An addition in January was Mercedes Sprinter 380 BU 64 MWM in plain white. It was originally to be numbered 383 but was changed prior to entering service.
    • An additional van is HY65 AUU which joined the fleet by December 2017. Thanks to Alan Leask for this.
    • Dates into service for 195-7, 717, 719, 721, 720, 722, 1401, 1402 added. Thanks to James Cusworth for this.
  • Disposals:
    • 845 and 861 were sold to Ensignbus (dealer) in January.
    • 526 was sold to LynxBus on 1st March, it's last day in service being 26th February.
    • 195 and 198 were withdrawn from Slough by 12th and in store at Reading pending return to Dawson Rentals. 197 followed shortly after, all three losing their Thames Valley branding in favour of plain white. 198 was withdrawn at the end of April, although all four saw sporadic use in Slough until the end of the month, and on a couple of occasions in Reading whilst other vehicles were covering rail replacement work. 197 and 198 other passed directly to Rosso on 2nd May, followed by 195.
    • 10-12 left the fleet in late April, having been replaced by 757, 1214 and increased use of 1401/2.
    • 196 was withdrawn after service on 14th June and returned to Dawson Rentals following replacement by 135.
  • Demonstrators
    • 106 DD16 GAS returned to Scania on 22 January, and was displayed in Hull on 3rd February.
    • 778 YN16 CFU finished in service on 11th March, before going to First South West by 19th.
    • Ensign Enterprise LX17 GKL arrived on 6 February for use on route 702, and had returned to Ensignbus by 28th March with it's last day in service appearing to be 15th.
    • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 / EVM City Line Edition 25 RX67 OPT was inspected at the end of January but not used in service.
    • Wright Streetdeck SK17 HHC entered service on loan on 14th March, allocated fleet number 900. It returned to Wrightbus on 26th April.
    • Optare Metrodecker YJ16 DFG entered service on loan on 24th March, allocated fleet number 899 in light blue. It was confirmed as staying on long term loan in June following an order being place for 5 similar vehicles.
  • Livery
    • 2 and 4 received Thames Valley lettering around 27th January with branding for route 2 between Slough, Windsor and Dedworth starting on 28th January.
    • 1114 received a new ColourBus livery for the 2018 charity of the year Autism Berkshire on 25 January, replacing Red Balloon.
    • 430 was repainted into Leopard livery from pink in February.
    • 167 was repainted into new Red 22 livery in February ahead of changes taking place from 19th February, and 131/3/4 lost their Nineteens branding in favour of plain white. 167 was then rebranded for Thames Valley by 7th April.
    • 218 lost its branding for route 17 in February, operating in base purple livery pending repaint. 222, 224 and 226 were treated similarly by the start of April.
    • Some Enviro 400Hs were repainted prior to refurbishment to allow earlier use on their intended routes. 219 and 220 returned from repaint by 13th February into a new dark pink "Berries" livery for routes 23/24, less the Berries brand name which is to be launched once all of the vehicles are complete, returning to service with the new timetables on 7th February.
    • Enviro 400H diesel conversions continued with 221 returning on 14th March in Berries livery and re-entering service on 20th and 228 returning to service in Sky Blue livery on 30th March. 231 went away on 2nd March, returning to service in Sky Blue livery on 25th May. 230 was exhibited at the Association of Local Bus Company Managers conference in Scotland in Sky Blue livery on 1st May following refurbishment prior to returning to Reading by 4th May. 223 was refurbished and repainted into Berries livery in May following its earlier conversion, returning to service on 5th June. 227 returned to service in Sky Blue livery on 21st June.
    • 1401 lost its Green Line lettering in April, whilst 1402 retains it. A regular coach working on the 702 was introduced for a few weeks in April with the departure of 10-12.
    • 899 was repainted into Green Line livery in June to remain in the fleet on long term loan.
    • 531 was repainted into plain Vamooz pink during March without any lettering.
    • 757 was repainted into Green Line Royal Express livery following frequency reductions on route 33 in February, returning to service on 1st May to help celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry.
    • 1104 was repainted into Vodafone red during April, returning to service on 15th May.
    • 1105 was repainted into Kennections livery after service on 25th May, returning to service on 11th June.
    • 1214 went away for repaint into Green Line livery after service on 14th May, returning to service on 7th June. 1212 followed soon after losing Vamooz livery, leaving on 31st May but returning very quickly on 4th June and back in service on 5th. 899 was repainted into Green Line livery in June, being showcased at the annual open day on 1st July before returning to service.
  • Allocations
    • 220 returned from loan to Newbury on 30th January, being replaced by 223 from 31st January until 9th February. 231 then went on loan to Newbury on 16th February until 1st March. 223 went on loan to Newbury again on 13th March until 25th April. 1105 went on loan to Newbury from 28th April.
    • 167, 527 and 528 went on loan to Xelabus on 19th March, 167 having returned by 5th April, 528 returning on 6th April and 527 on 16th April.
    • 194 transferred from Newbury Vodafone to Thames Valley Slough from 9th April, followed by 193 from 19th April following changes to the Vodafone vehicle requirement. Both gained Thames Valley branding as a result.
    • 2 and 4 transferred from Thames Valley Slough to Reading in May, following the replacement of route 2 with route 703. They list their Thames Valley branding, reverting to plain red for use when required.
  • Reading Transport MegaRears: 421, 423, 654, 1108, 1110 lost their rears for Carabao in March, and presumably 415, 1109, 1111. New photo of the rears on 654 and 1110 added. 1109 gained a Megarear for The Oracle Christmas in November, which remained in place until February. 227 lost its rear for Haslams in May on repaint.
  • First Berkshire Fleet List: Service reductions in Slough from 20 January saw 47405-8 transferred to First Hampshire and the remaining blue Citaros 64020/21/33/35/36/42-45 withdrawn pending transfer elsewhere along with First urban livery 64019. In February 47667/9 followed to Hampshire and 44531-3 transferred to First Eastern Counties, and finally in April 44527-30 transferred to First Glasgow. 64002 transferred to First Hampshire by November 2017, 64035/44/45 to First Midland Red in February, and 64033/42/43 to First Midland Red in March. 64019 was reinstated in March. Thanks to Brian Coney for this.
  • Courtney Buses Fleet List: A second Optare Solo SR acquired in January was YJ13 HMY, followed by YJ62 FAM and KY63 VTL in February. New in April was Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC YX18 KNC. YJ10 MBV/MBX and KX11 EER passed to Diamond Bus in December.
  • YJ62 FET/EU/MD/YH were returned to Dawson Rentals in January.
  • Horseman Coaches Fleet List: New in March were Volvo B8R / Plaxton Panther 3 YX18 LHE/F.
  • Mortons Travel Fleet List: The company was sold to the Lucketts Group on 16th April 2018, prompting the sale of preserved PRO 441W, H654 UUV and T935 EAN in April for ongoing preservation. New are VDL Futuras WJ18 EAG/M. Sometime prior to the sale MT11 DAV had been sold to Chandlers Coach Travel, Westbury. Thanks to David Wilder for this. EF11 SCO was acquired from ex Fusco, Southport some time ago and reregistered X11 BUS, and V513/5 DFT were acquired in 2016 and reregistered R26/27 RED. Thanks to Alan Leask for this. PN52 XKF was reregistered F13 BUS in place of YJ53 VHB, and PN52 XKH to E13 BUS some time ago. It is now known was the holder of E13 BUS was reregistered to. Renault Master / Tawe 16-seater HKZ1066 was acquired in October 2016 from Empress of Hastings, VanHool TX16 Alizee MT16 BUS was new in 2016 and Volvo B7TL / Alexander ALX400 X806 VRL was also acquired some time ago.
  • Reading & Wokingham Fleet List: New additions in October and November 2017 respectively were Irizar i6 C4 SSU and Scania / Irizar Century BC09 EBC. In March Dennis Trident / East Lancs V429 DRA and Volvo B11R/ Jonkheere BT14 DLK joined the fleet, and Neoplan Tourliner PJ12 ATN. WA08 OXO was reregistered YR58 RSY and PJ12 ATN to WH08 OXO in May, C4 SSU was reregistered K66 RWC in April, YX54 BHE to X7 FFC in February and X7 FFC was reregistered back to Y522 DDA by September 2017 when it was sold. FJ60 EGX was sold in October 2017.
  • Stewarts of Mortimer Fleet List: YN12 BJX was sold in April.
  • Weavaway Travel Fleet List: Three former Arriva London B7TL / Transbus ALX400 LJ53 BCO/U, LJ04 YWE joined the fleet in February in a plain green livery and immediately reregistered CW51-53 TOP. they gained Camberwick fleet names in May, numbered 451-3 and named Windy, McGarry and Snort. V11 OCL was reregistered RY65 RVC in January and passed to Grange Coaches, Gravesend via Mosley (dealer). BKZ 70, NBZ 70 and NDZ 70 were reregistered RA15 OBR/V/W in March, and RA15 OBR sold to Dartline, Exeter and RA15 OBW to White Bus both in April. SN16 OHA-F/ L/O have transferred from Didcot to Greenham. Thanks to David Wilder for this.
  • White Bus Service Fleet List: Three vehicles arrived on loan from Abellio, Surrey in March to cover route 441 - Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer 2s BX54 DMO/V and Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 YX58 DTY. Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther 2 YX14 SCZ was also acquired in March, and Volvo B9R / Plaxton Leopard RA15 OBW from Weavaway in April. RA15 OBW wears a new white livery with green swoop and White Bus fleet names. L523 MJB, S158 JUA and SN55 DVA had departed by May. SN55 DVB was sold to Watkins Coaches, Glyn Neath in March, L561 ASU was sold to Transport Direct, Bramshall in October 2017, R89 GNW was sold to York Pullman in March 2017, and CB53 MTB & DB53 MTB passed to Pullhams, Bourton-on-the-Water back in January 2016.

21-01-18:

  • Reading Transport Fleet List:
  • Fleet
    • New are Scania N280UD / Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 CBD Citys 706-22, all in purple 17 livery. The first entered service in December 2017, with the remaining following in January and February 2018.
    • DAF DB250 / East Lancs FD02 UKR was acquired from Panther Travel in December 2017 as a low cost supplement to the school bus fleet to help release newer vehicles for service enhancements elsewhere. It carried former registration AB02 PAN until 8th December, and is allocated fleet number 531.
    • Four second hand Optare Solo SRs have been acquired for the new Thames Valley operation in Slough, numbered 195-8, in a white livery with Thames Valley lettering which was applied on 13 January. 198 was confirmed in service on 20th January with 195-7 on layover.
    • New Mercedes Sprinter / Mellor Strata LO67 CFK was acquired in December 2017, arriving on 13th in Buzz livery and entering service on 18th.
    • Two Scania / Caetano Levantes FJ57 KHO/KJU were acquired from South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach through John Hill Coach Sales in November, arriving on 12th December in generic silver and originally intended for the training fleet. They soon received Green Line vinyls for temporary use on route 702 with fleet numbers 1401/2, but have yet to enter service.
    • Three Scania OmniCity single deckers SP57 CNU/N/K were hired on medium term loan from Stagecoach in December as temporary vehicles for Green Line route 702, and allocated fleet numbers 10-12.
    • 182 entered service in Greenwave livery by 8th September, having been reregistered RG04 BUS in August.
    • 184 was reregistered RG53 BUS in October and entered ordinary service on 7th November.
    • 185 was reregistered RG54 BUS shortly after entering service in August.
  • Disposals:
    • 524 was sold to Lynxbus, Kings Lynn in September, followed by 525 in November following the integration of Theale Green and Little Heath school services back into the normal network in September 2017. 526 is expected to follow in August 2018.
    • 841/2/6/7 were sold to Wealdon PSV in November 2017 to be converted to open top prior to export to Malta where they are expected to join former 838/9 which arrived with Supreme Travel, Zejtun in around mid-August 2017.
    • 1102/3 were sold to Midland Classic on 20 January, replacing former 852/3 there.
  • Demonstrators:
    • Scania Irizar i3 demonstrator SC13 BUS allocated fleet number 27, arrived in Newbury to cover warranty work from 19th December, but in the event allowed 26 to go on loan to Reading
    • Scania N280UD / Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 CBD DD16 GAS arrived on loan by 22nd December, and was allocated fleet number 106
    • Scania N280UD / Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 YN16 CFU arrived on loan on 16th January 2018, and was allocated fleet number 778
    • Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 demonstrator YX67 UZB arrived on loan on 18th January, and was allocated fleet number 779, entering service on 20th. It is expected to stay until 24th January.
    • Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 City demonstrator SL66 WLK was in service by 11th January using fleet number 121
    • Scania K410EBC / Higer Touring demonstrator YN17 OMW arrived on 11th January
    • Two Ensign Enterprises are on order for delivery in the summer. They are expected to and arrive in generic silver for use on routes 17 and 702 with centre doors and high back seats.
  • Livery
    • Enviro 400H diesel conversions continued with 225 returning in October, which was the first to also be repainted into an updated Sky Blue livery for routes 15/16, likewise 229 which went away before 225 following an accident returned in Sky Blue livery in November being back in service by 6th, and 208 which returned on 17th January, had vinyls applied on 19th and returned to service on 20th. 221 and 228 are currently away for repaint and refurbishment.
    • 131, 132 and 134 were rebranded for Nine-teens in September for routes 9 and 19 from the start of September. 133 lost its Greenwave branding following the entry into service of 182.
    • 167 lost it's 'nineteens' branding in September, operating in plain orange on amended route 12.
    • 381 was repainted into a green based Buzz livery for route 42 which started on 2nd October.
    • 413 returned from repaint into Leopard livery by 23rd August, however 414 was not repainted and remains in unbranded Scarlet red livery for use at weekday peak periods pending a decision on the future of route 12.
    • 527-29, 805/6 gained "super T-side" advert frames in December 2017, covering the first offside window to create a larger advertising space.
    • 530 was designated “The Moving Gallery” with various works art applied in December 2017. It was on static display in Broad Street on 9th and 10th December and then ran in service from 11th December until 20th January 2018 with the art on display.
    • 758 gained Green Line branding between the decks in December for use on route 702.
    • 1208 was repainted into Green Line livery in December and reregistered GO11 LDN, returning to service on 24th December.
  • Allocations
    • 4 went on loan to Reading on 3 and 4 January for use on route 702
    • 2 transferred to Reading on 5th January for short term use on route 702 pending transfer to Slough for the Thames Valley operation, losing its JetRed branding.
    • 26 went on loan from Newbury to Reading from 27th December to provide temporary cover on new Green Line route 702.
    • 220 went on loan to Newbury from 15th January
    • 524-6 returned from loan to Courtney Buses in early September.
    • 782 went on loan from Newbury to Reading from 27th December to provide temporary cover on new Green Line route 702, returning to Newbury for 2nd January.
    • 381 went on loan to Newbury from 2 to 5 January, returning on 6th
  • Other
    • 1108 went on loan to Midland Classic on 29th August, returning on around 29th November.
    • 1103 was withdrawn on 18th January
    • 861 was withdrawn on 19th January pending sale to Ensignbus.
  • Reading Transport MegaRears: 1107 gained a new MegaRear for The Lexicon Christmas in November, replacing the original Lexicon rear.
  • Aldermaston Coaches Fleet List: 5 left the fleet in March 2016, with 6 YX55 ADV being renumbered 5 shortly after.
  • Courtney Buses Fleet List: New in September were Enviro 200 MMCs YX67 UYR in Bombay Sapphire Distillery and Visitor Centre livery, and YX67 UYL/M in Yellow and Blue Courtney livery and YX67/N/O/P in Yellow and Red Courtney livery, followed by Enviro 400 MMC YY67 HDO in December in Milton Park livery. Optare Solo SR YD63 VCK was also acquired from Airport Parking in September and Enviro 200 MMC YX65 RKK from Alexander Dennis in December. A further Optare Solo SR YA13 AAE was acquired in January for new contracts in Slough.
  • First Berkshire Fleet List: 47665/6/8 transferred to Hampshire in October following the loss of route 555. Heathrow '7 series' liveried 64034/48 were repainted into First urban livery in early August with green route 1 branding, followed by 64020/30 in yellow route 6 branding in late August, 64031/37 in September with orange route 4 branding, 64047 with orange route 4 branding in October, 64038 with blue 8/N8 branding in October, and 64039 for blue 8/N8 in November. Remaining 64033/35/42/43/44/45 had lost their 7 series branding in favour of plain blue by late December, and 64036 not seen. Loaned 32809/855 returned to Hampshire in August. Legoland Tridents 33179, 33181 and Green Line Volvos 37276/985-99 transferred to First Hampshire and Dorset following the last day of Green Line route 702 on 23rd December, 33179/81 and 37998 being operational on rail replacement in Southampton on 27th.
  • Horseman Coaches Fleet List: New in June were Mercedes-Benz 516CDi / Unvi Vega Po17 AUT/U/V/W. RX51 EXM/N/O/P were sold in March 2017, EMO/P to Tally Ho! and RX06 WVA-E had left by October.
  • Mortons Travel Fleet List: New acquisitions in October were Dennis Tridents PN52 XKF/H from Blackpool Transport, and Volvo B8R / Plaxton Leopards YX67 UOS/T in October. Thanks to David Wilder for this.
  • Oxford Bus Company Fleet List: 228/9 transferred to Thames Travel in October 2017, operating in plain sky blue. 228-29 & 251-4 gained River Rapids branding for Oxford - Reading routes X39/X40 and newly created Oxford - Henley route X38 from 22nd October on a sky blue base, plus 879/80 on a red base. 207, 208, 230 and 231 have been repainted into Connector livery. 870 gained Story Museum branding by May.
  • Thames Travel Fleet List: 912-4 transferred to Carousel Buses in October in exchange for 879-81. 508 passed to Konect Bus, East Anglia in November. Thanks to David Wilder for this.
  • Weavaway Travel Fleet List: New acquisitions in September were former Blackpool Transport Optare Solos YN53 ZWX/Z, followed by YN53 ZWM/P/T/V in October which were reregistered C15-20 TCL. YX63 ZVP was sold to Faresaver, Chippenham in June. Optare Versas YJ13 HHY/Z were sold to Borders Buses in July/August respectively, YJ13 HHU/W to PCL Travel Rural Link in August, YJ13 HHV to PC Coaches in Septmber and YJ13 HHX to Jones Coaches in October. V11 OOL was reregistered RV65 OXK in November prior to sale to Highway Coaches in December. C7/9 OXF were reregistered to R831 OVN / R138 EVX in July, YY66 PFG to RX66 PTZ in August, C5/8/10 OXF to R178 EVU / R835 OVN / R140 EVX in September. R138 EVX and R831 OVN were sold in August, with R835 OVN in September. SN16 OHG/H transferred from Didcot to Greenham in September, followed by OHJ in October and OHK in November. SN16 OHG/H/J were rebranded from South Midland to Countywide Travel / Basingstoke Area Rapid Transit in October to replace Versas on school services. YY64 TYA/B are now generally allocated to Didcot instead of Greenham. Thanks to David Wilder for this.
  • White Bus Service Fleet List: New in January was Mercedes-Benz 516CDi / EVM GX66 AEN. New in September was ADL Enviro 200 YX67 UXO, followed by YX67 VGJ/K/L in October. ADL Enviro 200s MK63 WZV, SN16 OGU and YY16 YJW were used on short term lease from Mistral to cover new tendered operations from August until October. YY16 YJW then passed to South West Coaches in November.

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