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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2017 19:50:25 GMT
First are withdrawing the N7 ( but earlier journeys on the 7) , so no service 0000-0350
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 13, 2017 21:24:31 GMT
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Post by vjaska on Dec 13, 2017 23:45:34 GMT
Sadly, it seems like you can’t get a Reading Network ticket within the London area which is annoying - it means my planned 702 end to end journey followed by running around part of the Reading network is more expensive to do.
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Post by redexpress on Dec 14, 2017 6:10:42 GMT
Sadly, it seems like you can’t get a Reading Network ticket within the London area which is annoying - it means my planned 702 end to end journey followed by running around part of the Reading network is more expensive to do. The 702 isn't going to be any good for a day trip to Reading, as the only journeys that run to & from Reading are positioning runs, so they run from Reading early am and to Reading late in the evenings. A bit cheeky of the operator to claim that these journeys are aimed at "commuters and shoppers" - that's one long shopping day!
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Post by tony4387 on Dec 14, 2017 12:10:02 GMT
so travelling from london to reading would mean a change of bus route at Bracknell if you wanted to go to reading
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 14, 2017 16:24:27 GMT
so travelling from london to reading would mean a change of bus route at Bracknell if you wanted to go to reading The Reading journeys are only to bring in some revenue on what would be a very long garage run. It was never meant to be a full service to Reading.
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Post by Tangy on Dec 14, 2017 23:46:29 GMT
Reading Buses have their frequent route 4/X4 between Reading and Bracknell every half hour (formerly First Berkshire 190), so why would they compete with themselves?
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Post by vjaska on Dec 15, 2017 0:41:14 GMT
Reading Buses have their frequent route 4/X4 between Reading and Bracknell every half hour (formerly First Berkshire 190), so why would they compete with themselves? I didn’t know that so thanks for that - even then, still annoys me that I can’t get a network ticket within London on the 702.
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 15, 2017 1:06:58 GMT
Reading Buses have their frequent route 4/X4 between Reading and Bracknell every half hour (formerly First Berkshire 190), so why would they compete with themselves? I didn’t know that so thanks for that - even then, still annoys me that I can’t get a network ticket within London on the 702. You can though, it is under the Green Line season tickets section, where it states and I quote: 'The tickets in the table below are only available for purchase on a green line 702 vehicle, but can be used on any Reading Buses or First Berkshire service. (Please note, the day and week options are also available from the First and Arriva travel shops in Slough and London Victoria). The tickets on our app may be cheaper!' Below this it shows a table, the All Day First/Reading/Greenline ticket (£16) and below that the simplyNetwork (outer London) group ticket (10/£15). The tickets from London are more expensive, well, because First's Greenline day tickets have historically been more expensive than their explorer, simply because the Greenline 702 is a prestigious coach service serving London. Even going back to London Country days, the Green Rovers were always more expensive than the red ones. You have to remember that Reading Buses are going to be experimenting over the coming months to see what fits best. I am sure Mr. Gilbert will be open to feedback but the service does have to start first for feedback to come in.
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 22, 2017 22:14:29 GMT
And the predicted inroad of Reading Buses into Slough begins! It will use the 'Thames Valley' name/brand. I am sure they will be able to turn around slough after the last few years of neglect by First Berkshire. A step towards integrated transport to the thames valley region.
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Post by snoggle on Dec 22, 2017 22:36:48 GMT
And the predicted inroad of Reading Buses into Slough begins! It will use the 'Thames Valley' name/brand. I am sure they will be able to turn around slough after the last few years of neglect by First Berkshire. A step towards integrated transport to the thames valley region. I understand your enthusiasm but these are contracted services not a commercial venture from Reading Buses. I am sure they will aim to do a decent job but it will depend purely on whether Reading Buses can do enough to repair whatever damage First have inflicted in Slough and get passengers back to a level where they could take on the work commercially. Being in speculation mode it would be fascinating to see what Reading Buses could do if they booted First out of Slough in time. However I do hope that Mr Gilbert is not overstretching his company or turning it into a target for someone like Go Ahead or Stagecoach. It's amazing that they've not been sold off by the Council and can find the money to keep the fleet fresh.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2017 21:16:39 GMT
And the predicted inroad of Reading Buses into Slough begins! It will use the 'Thames Valley' name/brand. I am sure they will be able to turn around slough after the last few years of neglect by First Berkshire. A step towards integrated transport to the thames valley region. I understand your enthusiasm but these are contracted services not a commercial venture from Reading Buses. I am sure they will aim to do a decent job but it will depend purely on whether Reading Buses can do enough to repair whatever damage First have inflicted in Slough and get passengers back to a level where they could take on the work commercially. Being in speculation mode it would be fascinating to see what Reading Buses could do if they booted First out of Slough in time. However I do hope that Mr Gilbert is not overstretching his company or turning it into a target for someone like Go Ahead or Stagecoach. It's amazing that they've not been sold off by the Council and can find the money to keep the fleet fresh. Yes, it seems like they are saying “Look at us” ...
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 24, 2017 0:45:24 GMT
I understand your enthusiasm but these are contracted services not a commercial venture from Reading Buses. I am sure they will aim to do a decent job but it will depend purely on whether Reading Buses can do enough to repair whatever damage First have inflicted in Slough and get passengers back to a level where they could take on the work commercially. Being in speculation mode it would be fascinating to see what Reading Buses could do if they booted First out of Slough in time. However I do hope that Mr Gilbert is not overstretching his company or turning it into a target for someone like Go Ahead or Stagecoach. It's amazing that they've not been sold off by the Council and can find the money to keep the fleet fresh. Yes, it seems like they are saying “Look at us” ... Interesting point but I see it differently. If lets say a clothing shop did what some bus operators do in this country (aka no promotion, behind with the times ahem BHS ) then the customers won't come. There is a lot of hype or as you say 'look at us' around Reading Buses and that is to attract passengers. Brighton & Hove and to an extent Metrobus have done similar over the past few years, make a lot of noise, make the buses 'cool' to the public and they will come. An example of this could be the snowman bus promotion. If I search that up I get a page full of results. Reading Buses are simply trying to extend this good operating practice. Slough is historically an area where people use buses, mainly due to demographics. When you hear things about buses, you don't tend to hear positives from Slough (Last I can remember were those Volvo 7900 B5LH's back in 2013). Given that they are operating on contracts to the Council, Reading Buses should be able to experiment as to what fits best to the area.
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Post by M1199 on Dec 26, 2017 11:09:40 GMT
Just noticed the Iver Heath (Bangors Road North/Church Road) section of the 3 (or 58 as I still call it!) has been pulled, not sure how long that has been implemented for, leaving only 1 journey each way per week on Carousels CountryRider 582 service! Whenever I used the 58 that section always pulled in custom.
It is quite alarming seeing just how much of the Berks & Thames Valley division has been cut in recent years, first you had their Bracknell Depot close, the Slough network overall last year, the recent Slough service reductions, the 702 withdrawal, next month's upcoming Slough withdrawals... Wouldn't be surprised if the RailAir service was next to get the chop! In the meantime, it's good to see Reading Buses stepping in and providing a service where First has pulled out, with a host of potential operators within the remit of Slough that could take on anything else, if wanted that First gives up on.
Without knowing too much on the subject, I hope that Slough doesn't end up being another First Northampton story!
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Post by MoEnviro on Dec 26, 2017 11:24:52 GMT
Quote from LOTS:
"After having reduced services on the 3, 6, 8, 12 and 13 on 25th November and now withdrawing from the 702, from 20th January First Berkshire is to withdraw Slough local routes 2, 5, 10, 11, 15 and 200 and reduce services on the 4, 6 and 7. Reading Buses will take over the 5 entirely, plus the evening 4 and Sunday 6. Locally in Slough, attempts are being made to try to cover the other withdrawals."
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