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Post by vjaska on Nov 13, 2017 1:19:08 GMT
With a replacement service from Reading Buses now registered, also including extension from Slough to Reading via Bracknell. Oh yes! If they can offer an integrated day ticket then they will see a lot of custom from me Just imagine all the innovation they could do....I did see a 702 yesterday morning on the westway and it was fairly decently loaded. Fingers crossed they do as it means I will travel to Reading via the 702 (should they keep the number) for my Reading Buses journey I've planned next year. As for the current incarnation, anytime I do see it which admittedly isn't often, it seems to loaded quite well like you say
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Post by redexpress on Nov 13, 2017 20:38:51 GMT
Reading Buses operation on the 702 starts with a limited service on Xmas eve, then a full service from 27th Dec. Confirmation here - timetables not yet available.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2017 22:08:53 GMT
First Group have decided not to invest in any new buses if the relevant local authorities are not actively working to lower congestion. Source: Evening Standard p.44 today.
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Post by snoggle on Nov 14, 2017 22:39:08 GMT
First Group have decided not to invest in any new buses if the relevant local authorities are not actively working to lower congestion. Source: Evening Standard p.44 today. So that's no new buses ordered for any UK divisions then. Local authorities may have plenty of plans but they have no means to restrain traffic growth. In most of the UK we were past the point of no return in terms of traffic growth, car parking and congestion about 1-2 years after bus deregulation. 28 years too late. The only thing that will scare motorists is a massive increase in the oil price that is irreversible and even then they will not be able to change their habits and bus companies won't be able to respond as they'll also be hit by the fuel cost rise eventually. Even the air quality issue is very unlikely to offer any bonus for buses either - it's always someone else, other than an individual driver, who has to change their ways because "my" car use is inviable. Our national transport system is a disaster in many ways and there is no political will to change it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2017 22:53:35 GMT
First Group have decided not to invest in any new buses if the relevant local authorities are not actively working to lower congestion. Source: Evening Standard p.44 today. So that's no new buses ordered for any UK divisions then. Local authorities may have plenty of plans but they have no means to restrain traffic growth. In most of the UK we were past the point of no return in terms of traffic growth, car parking and congestion about 1-2 years after bus deregulation. 28 years too late. The only thing that will scare motorists is a massive increase in the oil price that is irreversible and even then they will not be able to change their habits and bus companies won't be able to respond as they'll also be hit by the fuel cost rise eventually. Even the air quality issue is very unlikely to offer any bonus for buses either - it's always someone else, other than an individual driver, who has to change their ways because "my" car use is inviable. Our national transport system is a disaster in many ways and there is no political will to change it. Indeed, and also in same article they reported profits in UK bus market as “flat”. Overall increase in profit only since their take over from Stagecoach of SWT. Hardly inspiring stuff.
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Post by vjaska on Nov 14, 2017 23:35:03 GMT
First Group have decided not to invest in any new buses if the relevant local authorities are not actively working to lower congestion. Source: Evening Standard p.44 today. there is no political will to change it. I think that alone is the biggest obstacle because a policy of significantly reducing car usage would be deeply unpopular but I'm afraid it is absolutely needed, especially in London - it would even have the secondary affect of reducing pollution which the mayor loves banging on about but alas, nothing will change and more money will have to be spent on charges & emissions systems fitted to vehicles.
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Post by planesandtrains on Nov 15, 2017 14:00:12 GMT
Reading Buses will be running a special 702 service on the 24th with vintage Greenline vehicles between 09:00-15:00 between Victoria and Windsor and 09:30-15:30 between Windsor and Bracknell. Service is free of charge but donations for the charity 'Red Balloon learner centre' will be accepted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2017 18:26:02 GMT
Re 702
Just seen peak journey heading west through Kensington with 10 passengers on board.
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Post by MoEnviro on Dec 3, 2017 16:00:15 GMT
Does anyone know what buses Reading will use on the Route 702 when they take over? Existing? Ex Route 17?
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Post by snoggle on Dec 3, 2017 17:04:27 GMT
Does anyone know what buses Reading will use on the Route 702 when they take over? Existing? Ex Route 17? They are using a mix of vehicles - three tri-axle single decks (probably Scanias or Volvos) hired from Stagecoach, a coach they'd bought for other duties and some deckers. They're doing this until they get a feel for the demand / timetable. They've said that they are "feeling their way" as they have not "bought" the route from First so no commercial info on usage / revenue etc is being released by First. If I can find the info I saw somewhere else I'll tweet it here.
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Post by MoEnviro on Dec 3, 2017 17:43:32 GMT
Does anyone know what buses Reading will use on the Route 702 when they take over? Existing? Ex Route 17? They are using a mix of vehicles - three tri-axle single decks (probably Scanias or Volvos) hired from Stagecoach, a coach they'd bought for other duties and some deckers. They're doing this until they get a feel for the demand / timetable. They've said that they are "feeling their way" as they have not "bought" the route from First so no commercial info on usage / revenue etc is being released by First. If I can find the info I saw somewhere else I'll tweet it here. Thanks, am I right in saying they can't use the Green-line brand either?
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Post by snoggle on Dec 3, 2017 18:02:36 GMT
They are using a mix of vehicles - three tri-axle single decks (probably Scanias or Volvos) hired from Stagecoach, a coach they'd bought for other duties and some deckers. They're doing this until they get a feel for the demand / timetable. They've said that they are "feeling their way" as they have not "bought" the route from First so no commercial info on usage / revenue etc is being released by First. If I can find the info I saw somewhere else I'll tweet it here. Thanks, am I right in saying they can't use the Green-line brand either? As it is owned and licensed by Arriva then that will be a commercial matter for Reading Buses and Arriva. I guess we will have to wait and see.
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Post by N230UD on Dec 3, 2017 22:54:48 GMT
Thanks, am I right in saying they can't use the Green-line brand either? As it is owned and licensed by Arriva then that will be a commercial matter for Reading Buses and Arriva. I guess we will have to wait and see. According to a Yahoo group, Reading Buses have announced that one double decker will be painted in a 'modernised experimental version of the Greenline livery'.
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 3, 2017 23:49:43 GMT
As it is owned and licensed by Arriva then that will be a commercial matter for Reading Buses and Arriva. I guess we will have to wait and see. According to a Yahoo group, Reading Buses have announced that one double decker will be painted in a 'modernised experimental version of the Greenline livery'. Hopefully the slow beginnings of the revitalisation of a Greenline Network. Exciting times + we will be able to track all the demonstrators with that fantastic Reading Vehicle Finder.
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Post by snoggle on Dec 4, 2017 1:18:05 GMT
Another post has reminded me where I saw the info. I can't cut and paste so here's a summary
Buses to be used on 702 - some Reading double deckers with high back seating (758 is mentioned), 3 Scania Omnilinks from Stagecoach, 2 Scania / Levante coaches that Reading Buses have bought. Livery will initially be plain or silver with green branding. Alex397 has mentioned the likely painting of a vehicle into a Green Line 702 style experimental livery. Demonstrator vehicles will also be run on the route to evaluate future possible purchases for the route.
As I said earlier it's a bit "suck it and see" with the timetable in the early stages with a similar offer to First Berkshire. However the plan is for a relaunch in 2018 once Reading Buses better understand the market and what the service offer should be.
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