April 2024 Update
Robert Williams
Dear all,
Here is the latest fleet news from the Reading Buses group of companies.
Reading Buses
741 entered service on 14 April, completing recent deliveries.
241 was reregistered RG73 BUS on 27 April (ex YX73 PHA).
863 transferred to Newbury & District on 15 April, followed by 864 on 22 April. These are permanent transfers, not loans as has occurred previously.
421 returned from repaint into generic silver with orbits (ex swoop) on 24 April.
211-213 these reserve Lions are in the process of being repainted into a new off-white livery for University services, ahead of an exciting new brand being revealed and applied to them in September. 212 was the first to return from repaint, re-entering service on 19 April just with Reading Buses logos on the base livery. 211/213 were returned to service allocated to the 21a in de-branded lion livery on 15 April pending repaint, with 211 quickly departing for repaint on 16 April followed by 213 on 24 April. 211/3 remain away, and will return for use solely on the 21a once completed.
760 went on loan to Thames Valley Buses from 25 March, returning on 7 April. It was followed by 761 from 8 April until 14 April.
182 was withdrawn on 13 March.
803 was withdrawn on 18 April.
382 went into reserve on 14 April, ahead of transfer to Thames Valley Buses for trial operation on routes 234/8/9 next month.
216 and 217 departed to Chartwell (dealer) on 16 April, and 217 has since appeared at Herbert’s Travel.
214 and 801 departed to Ripley (dealer) for scrap on 19 April.
Withdrawn 182, 803, 1203, 1205, 1206 are still on site pending disposal.
Newbury & District
1428/29 entered service on 14 April.
863 transferred in from Reading Buses on 15 April, followed by 864 on 22 April. These are permanent transfers to replace already withdrawn 1205/6, with the intention to repaint and up-seat them to match 865/6 over the summer.
1203 has been withdrawn and moved to Reading pending disposal. It’s last day in service was 26 February.
1207 is also in store in Reading awaiting attention.
Thames Valley Buses
A new addition to the fleet is YX67 UXP, a 10.8m ADL Enviro 200 for a new contract in Bracknell, previously with Richards Brothers. It has taken fleet number 667 and entered service on 15 April.
452 departed on 11 December, 453 on 22 February, and 455 sometime during April, all back to Dawson Rentals.
782 returned to service on 27 April following retrim.
781 went away for retrim on 16 March.
760 came in on loan from Reading Buses from 25 March, returning on 7 April. It was followed by 761 from 8 April until 14 April, both covering for 781/2.
Regards,
Robert