Bus Zone - Other Reading Operators

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 Download Fleet List (Microsoft Excel format) Ford Transit P561 OPO at Reading Station on 2nd August 2003. Iveco / Indicar Maxim 2 FM02 KUR at Reading Station on 16th September 2006. Iveco Eurorider / Beulas Stergio 'e' LV02 LKE at Reading Station on 11th March 2006. Burghfield Mini Coaches Download Fleet List (Microsoft Excel format) DYA 197A operates a regular contract to Reading Station, and is seen here on 25th January 2006. Burghfield Mini Coaches: Tel: 0118 9590719 Burghfield Farm, Mill Road, Burghfield Bridge, Reading, Berks., RG3 3SS. Cango 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. Kingfisher Mini Coaches Ford Transit OVJ 852 at Reading Station on 24th July 2003. Reading & Wokingham Coaches Download Fleet List (Microsoft Excel format) VanHool T8 Alizée WXI 5863 at Reading Station on 24th November 2001. Berkhof Espirit S228 KJT at Reading Station on 2nd August 2003. This vehicle was previously operated by Chiltern Queens. Stagecoach South 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). Alexander Dash 459 at Basingstoke Station on 20th December 2002. This is 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. An Alexander RL Type bodied Volvo Olympian on rail replacement duties opposite Reading Station. Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400 18136 at Newbury Bus Station on 20th February 2009 with branding for "The Link". Contact Details: Stagecoach in Hampshire / Hants & Surrey: Tel: 0845 1210180 01256 464501 Truemans Download Fleet List (Microsoft Excel format) Contact Details: Truemans End, Lynchford Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 5PQ. Tel: 01252 373303, Fax: 01252 373393. Two Rivers Travel Plaxton Paragon Y14 HMC in Gosport on 18th March 2008. Thanks to Two Rivers Travel for this photo. A second vehicle was acquired in November 2009 - Iveco/Plaxton FN02VBV from JJ Coaches of Paisley. Taz Travel / Keith Travel Download Fleet List (Microsoft Excel format) 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, a Caetano Optimo IV at Reading Station on 19th July 2003. TIL 2576, a rather unusual short Jonkheere Deauville at Reading Station on 7th August 2003. 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. This is VanHool T9 Alizée W6 APT at St. Mary's Butts on 11th July 2001. 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). 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. Ford Transit DU54 OFM on route 99A in Reading on 26th May 2007. 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. 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. 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. 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. This is former Mercedes Benz minibus XJI 4132 waiting at Reading Station in May 1999. 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. 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 was a Mercedes Benz Vario with Plaxton Beaver bodywork, seen here at Reading Station in April 2001. 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. 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. Related sites to visit: Chiltern Queens Showbus Photo Gallery Community Transport in Berkshire