August & September 2022 Update
Robert Williams
Dear all,
Apologies for missing August, there wasn’t a lot to report, so here is August and September combined.
Reading Buses
New is Alexander Dennis Enviro200 LK58 CSX, fleet number 314, acquired via Shears (dealer) on 20 September, ex Thomas of Rhondda and Metroline. It is for use as a driver training vehicle following conversion by it’s previous owner, and will run in it’s existing London red for the time being.
BYD / Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV demonstrator LC71 EFD arrived on loan on 5 September to assess the performance of the type, returning on 20 September. It spent 9/10/11/13/14/15/17 September and the morning of 20 September in use on route 17. It was given fleet number 1002 during it’s stay.
704 returned from repairs at Scania on 10 August, returning to service on 11th. 701 went away on 10 August in it’s place and is due back soon.
520 went on loan to Cardiff Bus on 22 July for the summer, and returned on 23 September.
753, 754, 755 & 757 returned from loan to Transport for West Midlands on 2 August as planned.
Loaned 788 transferred to Newbury & District for additional West Berkshire school contracts from 5 September.
Certain vehicles spent periods on loan to Thames Valley Buses during August, starting with 652 until 6 August, then 759 to 20 August, then 758 until 26 August, completing the series of loans.
357 and 809 remain on site withdrawn.
Thames Valley Buses
451 was withdrawn on 26 July, and moved to Reading on 9 August for preparation to return to Dawson Rentals.
Certain vehicles spent periods on loan from Reading Buses during August, starting with 652 until 6 August, then 759 to 20 August, then 758 until 26 August, completing the series of loans.
Withdrawn 451/4/7 remain in store at Reading, pending disposal.
Newbury & District
783, 784, 785, 786, 787 returned from loan to Transport for West Midlands on 2 August as planned.
Loaned 788 has transferred in from Reading for additional West Berkshire school contracts from 5 September. It will retain Reading Buses Jet Black livery for use as a spare when needed.
Also following changes to school contract requirements from September, 1420 was returned to Dawson Rentals on 31 August, with 1419 to follow in October.
1407 and 1409 remain withdrawn pending disposal (1407 in Reading and 1409 in Greenham).
Regards,
Robert
Robert Williams
I forgot to add:
Reading Buses 415 went away for repaint on 23 August into a new pink (orbits) livery for routes 22 and 25, ex Tiger 7, returning on 22 September and re-entering service on 23rd. Pink 416 went away in exchange on 22 September for similar treatment.
Regards,
Robert