Other Reading Operators

www.buszone.co.uk

This page has a few photos and some general information about the operators in the area that don't have separate sections on this site (yet). As usual there are links to their websites, if they have one.

Baileys of Newbury

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P561 OPO on 2 August 2003 (29361 bytes)

Ford Transit P561 OPO at Reading Station on 2nd August 2003.

FM02 KUR on 16 September 2006 (51560 bytes)

Iveco / Indcar Maxim 2 FM02 KUR at Reading Station on 16th September 2006.

LV02 LKE on 11 March 2006 (45881 bytes)

Iveco Eurorider / Beulas Stergio 'e' LV02 LKE at Reading Station on 11th March 2006.

PN09 CWY on 13 March 2010

VDL SB4000 / Beaulas Cygnus PN09 CWY at Reading Station on 13 March 2010.

Baileys MAN on 6 November 2014

A MAN RR8 / MobiPeople Explorer on display at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC on 6th November 2014.


Cango

YN03 UXY on 14 August 2003 (68098 bytes)

Optare Alero YN03 UXY at the launch of North Hampshire Cango services 21-4 on 14th August 2003. Operated on behalf of the council by Stagecoach it is fleet number 47805. Thanks to Brian Coney for this photo.


DJ Travel

W476 HOB on 8 February 2011

Mercedes-Benz 412D W476 HOB at Newbury Bus Station on 8th February 2011.


Kingfisher Mini Coaches

OVJ 852 on 24 July 2003 (32001 bytes)

Ford Transit OVJ 852 at Reading Station on 24th July 2003.


Reading & Wokingham Coaches

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X7 FFC on 30 March 2013

Volvo B12M / Plaxton Panther X7 FFC at Reading Station on 30 March 2013.

WXI 5863 on 24 November 2001 (25834 bytes)

Former VanHool T8 Alizée WXI 5863 at Reading Station on 24th November 2001.

S228 KJT on 2 August 2003 (36390 bytes)

Former Berkhof Espirit S228 KJT at Reading Station on 2nd August 2003. This vehicle was previously operated by Chiltern Queens.


Stagecoach South

Stagecoach in Hampshire Logo (21209 bytes)

821 on 20 December 2002 (45174 bytes)

Former Mercedes-Benz 709D / Alexander AM Sprint number 821 at Andover Bus Station on 20th December 2002. Until October 2001 this was Stagecoach in Warwickshire's 321 (L321 YDU).

459 on 20 December 2002 (39036 bytes)

Former Alexander Dash 459 at Basingstoke Station on 20th December 2002.

34 on 20 December 2002 (41850 bytes)

This is former 34, an ex-Hong Kong air conditioned Dennis Dart with Plaxton Pointer body. It is seen here on 20th December 2002 with its Line 3 route branding outside Basingstoke Station.

18186 on 20 February 2009 18186 on 20 February 2009

Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400 18136 at Newbury Bus Station on 20th February 2009 with branding for "The Link".


Truemans

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J33 TRU on 27 December 2010

J33 TRU on rail replacement duties in Reading on 27th December 2011.

J400 TRU on 15 April 2011

Pullman Class J400 TRU in Bracknell Bus Station on 15th April 2011. Thanks to Gary Baxter for this photo.


Taz Travel / Keith Travel

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Keith Travel / Taz Travel took over Woodley Travel in June 2009, Woodley Travel having taken over Tilehurst Coaches in 2004/5, and Tilehurst Coaches previously being known as Tilehurst Mini-Coaches until September 2003.

TIL 2590 on 19 July 2003 (40256 bytes)

TIL 2590, a Caetano Optimo IV at Reading Station on 19th July 2003.

TIL 2576 on 7 August 2003 (32722 bytes)

TIL 2576, a rather unusual short Jonkheere Deauville at Reading Station on 7th August 2003.

SJI 2765 on 19 August 2006 (52720 bytes)

SJI 2765, a Neoplan Skyliner at Reading Station on 19th August 2006.


Fernhill Travel

Please see their website for further details.


ReadiBus

This company operate ring and ride services for the elderly and immobile. Please see their website for more details.


Other Former Operators

Armchair

Armchair used to operate a commuter service to London during the rush hour as replacement for Reading Transport's London Line services that were withdrawn in May 2000. RT's services used to operate during the day, but they withdrew their service due to low passenger loadings. Armchair came in to save the day with this peak hour replacement service, but ended up withdrawing it at the end of June 2003 because passenger numbers continued to fall.

W6 APT on 11 July 2001 (25288 bytes)

This is VanHool T9 Alizée W6 APT at St. Mary's Butts on 11th July 2001.

R36 GNW on 22 July 2002 (37269 bytes)

VanHool T8 Alizée R36 GNW having just arrived at Reading Station from London on 22nd July 2002. This coach is very similar to Reading's Goldline 237/8 (R38/7 GNW).

RX51 FNY on 23 September 2001 (18396 bytes)

The company operate a number of services in the London area, and this is Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart RX51 FNY on display at the Showbus rally on 23rd September 2001. It is shows details for service 117 to Staines.


Burghfield Mini Coaches

Established in 1961, the company ceased trading on 20th December 2013, with the exception of 5 vehicles which continued to fulfil contracts until 7th March 2014.

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DYA 197A on 25 January 2006 (40713 bytes)

DYA 197A operates a regular contract to Reading Station, and is seen here on 25th January 2006.


4Valleys.jpg (23688 bytes)

DU54 OFM on 26 May 2007 (46201 bytes)

Ford Transit DU54 OFM on route 99A in Reading on 26th May 2007.

X381 THK on 20 July 2001 (19855 bytes)

One of the first vehicles in the fleet, Ford Transit X381 THK at Newbury Bus Station on 20th July 2001. This vehicle has subsequently been replaced.


Chiltern Queens / Chiltern Buses

The managing directors of Horseman joined the board of Chiltern Queens on 13th April 2002 following the resignation of the existing directors due to substantial losses having been made. Their remit was to turn the company around, although this proved impossible and the Traffic Commissioner forced the closure of the company.

A week after the Horseman directors joined the board, the coaching side of the company was moved to Horseman's Reading base and merged with their own operations, whist the stage carriage arm was kept at the old Woodcote base. On 4th August 2002 the bus services were then sold to Thames Travel, along with their three East Lancs bodied Dennis Darts. Route I was the only route retained and was operated by Horseman under the Chiltern Queens name for another month using Plaxton bodied Dennis Dart KP51 SXU before that also passed to Thames Travel on the 9th September. The Dart will remain with Horseman for a while before also eventually passing to Thames Travel, bringing the Chiltern Queens name to an end.

KP51 SXU on 13 August 2002 (45217 bytes)

The last low floor vehicle in the fleet, KP 51 SXU arriving in Reading on the only route then remaining, route I on 13th August 2002.

Chiltern Queens, or Chiltern Buses as their buses were branded, used to operate a small number of rural services from Reading, and others in the Chilterns area. Traditionally the coaching livery was green and white, the bus livery red and white, but recent low floor buses wore a jazzy purple livery.

Y313 KDP on 12 May 2001 (29358 bytes)

Former East Lancs Flyte Y313 KDP leaving Reading Station for Wallingford on 12th May 2001 in their low floor livery. This bus is now with Thames Travel.

KP51 SXU on 21 December 2001 (29127 bytes)

Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dennis Dart KP51 SKU at Reading Station preparing to depart for Wallingford on 21st December 2001 in a slightly different version of the livery.

XJI 4132 in May 1999 (17621 bytes)

This is former Mercedes Benz minibus XJI 4132 waiting at Reading Station in May 1999.

PJH 528X on 21 September 2001 (18821 bytes)

One of the most elderly coaches in the fleet when taken over, former PJH 528X is seen here at St. Mary's Butts in Reading on 21st September 2001 looking very good for it's age. It is in the standard Chiltern Queens coach livery.


Two Rivers Travel

Y14 HMC on 18 March 2008

Plaxton Paragon Y14 HMC in Gosport on 18th March 2008. Thanks to Two Rivers Travel for this photo. The vehicle passed to Nigel McCree (dealer) in September 2011.

A second vehicle was acquired in November 2009 - Iveco/Plaxton FN02 VBV from JJ Coaches of Paisley. This vehicle was advertised for sale in October 2010.

This company ceased trading in September 2011.


Worldcom.gif (3563 bytes)

Before the FastTrack service called at Worldcom Park, Worldcom contracted a small fleet of about 6-8 vehicles to operate services to the site near junction 11 of the M4. Their buses would sporadically appear all over town, but there were some services which regularly come into the town centre. All of the buses were on hire from Dawson Rentals, and their fleet was always prone to change.

T453 HNH in April 2001 (25726 bytes)

T453 HNH was a Mercedes Benz Vario with Plaxton Beaver bodywork, seen here at Reading Station in April 2001.

T442 EBO on 20 July 2001 (17855 bytes)

This was T443 EBO, a Wright bodied Dennis Dart at Reading Station on 20th July 2001.

Rail Replacements

Occasionally some other bus companies visit Reading on rail replacement work.

GYE 539W & KYV 710X & KYV 746X on 13 Arpil 2002 (49177 bytes)

Here we see three Arriva Presenting London MCW Metrobus Mk1s,with GYE 539W at the front, then KYV 710X and finally KYV 746X at the back. They are seen here lined up opposite Reading Station on 13th April 2002.

If you have anything that you think should be included here, please feel free to send an email. All contributions for the site are welcome.