September 2023 Update
Robert Williams
Dear all,
Here is the latest update from the Reading Buses group of companies.
Reading Buses
Six second hand Scania / ADL Enviro300 CBGs have been purchased from Stagecoach North East - YP14 TGE/F/G/J/N/O (28035-40). They will become 436-439 and 309/310 respectively. The first four are going for retrim prior to delivery to Reading, and the last two are due imminently in Reading to go for conversion into additional driver training vehicles (replacing earlier plans to convert a second native vehicle 412).
Demonstrator 1004 returned to ADL as expected on 22 September, and was replaced by ‘provincial’ specification BYD ADL Enviro400EV LC71 EFD that will be on loan until the end of October, regaining fleet number 1002 previously carried by this vehicle when it visited in 2022. The Voith and ZF diesel demonstrators have yet to arrive.
183 departed for PVS Barnsley on 21 September.
788 went back on loan to N&D on 6 September to provide additional cover pending delivery of the new coaches there.
1203’s planned transfer in from Thames Valley was changed to N&D to provide cover for additional school contracts at N&D.
1208 was reregistered RG05 BUS (ex GO11 LDN) from 14 September.
311 went away for modifications to the training bus fittings on 22 September.
717 returned from seat back replacement on 5 September
713 went away for seat back replacement on 5 September, returning on 11 September.
707 went away for seat back replacement and retrim on 11 September, returning on 21 September
720 went away for seat back replacement on 21 September.
Scania Omnidekkas remain in service alongside the ADL demonstrator to cover the ongoing loan of 760/61/62/88 and transfer of 1203 to N&D.
Newbury & District
788 arrived on loan from Reading on 6 September. It is expected to stay until at least all of the new coaches are in service.
1203 transferred in from Thames Valley Buses on 4 September, and had its Green Line app branding adjusted with N&D logos on 18 September.
1204 transferred in from Thames Valley Buses on 24 August, and unexpectedly had it’s app branding completely removed, gaining standard N&D livery.
1401 was withdrawn following service on 16 August, and departed for PVS Barnsley on 28 September.
1402 was withdrawn on 20 July, and departed for PVS Barnsley on 25 September.
At present 760/761/762/788 remain on loan from Reading. Volvo/Plaxton 1422-5 are now expected during October and Irizar 1426-7 are still on track for November.
Thames Valley Buses
456 was returned to Dawson Rentals on 11 August.
781/2 have received Flightline 703 lettering on base Green Line livery, 781 being treated on 6 September and 782 by 21 September. This removes the last Green Line branding from vehicles.
1203 transferred to N&D on 4 September, and 1204 on 24 August, the pair having been replaced by 736/7.
Regards,
Robert