www.buszone.co.uk
May 2013
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Scarlet 9
28-05-13
Today saw the next six ADL Enviro 300SGs enter service on route 9. The buses are branded as Scarlet 9, the identity to be fully rolled out from 8 July along with number of service changes on other routes which are timed to coincide with the opening of the new North Interchange at Reading Station.
417 during it's first hours in service this morning.
415 in front of the three generations of station buildings.
The rear profile of 414.
Greenwave in Service
07-05-13
Today saw the much anticipated entry into service of the first ADL Enviro 300SGs under the new Greenwave brand.
The new timetable introduces more route variants to provide links to the new Tesco distribution centre in Imperial Way four times a day, including the 50B which 406 is seen operating.
A bird's eye view of 402 entering the old bus station. Home to the gas tanks, most of the roof pod is actually empty space for design purposes.
New bus stop branding has been applied, including this display at the Old Bus Station.
A number of different rear designs have been applied to the vehicles, whilst drivers wear new light green Greenwave branded ties.
Greenwave Demonstrated
04-05-13
The first of the new Scania / Alexander Dennis Enviro 300SGs were displayed for passengers in Reading Town Centre today. 401 was positioned outside the Oracle in Broad Street, whilst 405 provided free rides around the Town Centre loop from Minster Street. A ride on 405 was also provided as a special surprise for the British Trolleybus Society's Reading meeting the evening before.
401 in Broad Street today.
The gas engine bears more similarity with a petrol engine than a diesel one, so the vehicles sound smoother when running with less vibration. Each vehicle is also fitted with audio and visual next stop announcements like the hybrids, and a new feature that announces the route and destination to passengers outside the bus as the doors open.
405 outside Odd Fellows Hall yesterday evening.
The new Greenwave livery consists metallic green paint and a 3D Greenwave logo. In addition to wood effect floors, the interiors all feature high backed seats with pink leather headrests. The seating layout inside 401-11 will be slightly different to 412-20. Both feature a large wheelchair/buggy area on the offside, but the ordinary examples have fewer tip-up seats than the Greenwave examples to reflect the heavier use that these facilities get around town and higher peak capacity requirements on Greenwave.
The interior of 405 in Minster Street today.
Now all that remains is for the Greenwave vehicles to enter service on Tuesday. The route 9 and 11 examples will enter service in about 3 weeks time once they have been prepared for service and staff training has been completed. If you can't wait until then, a sample ride from today is now on YouTube:
Greenwave Launch
29-04-13
Today saw the press launch of the new Greenwave brand and ten new Alexander Dennis Enviro300SG vehicles that will replace the South Reading FastTrack services from Tuesday. The event was held at Green Park.
405 posed at Lime Square, Green Park. Thanks to Steve Wise for this photo.
405 posed outside the Regus building in Green Park. Thanks to Steve Wise for this photo.
In addition to their compressed natural gas powered engines and carbon neutral fuel source, the buses feature improved seating and "coffee shop" wood effect floors.
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