THE SHOWBUS LONDON & HOME COUNTIES BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Reading Buses | Londonline
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Keen Optare operator, Reading Buses, caused a stir when it put into service two coach seated Spectras on the Reading - London service. The vehicles carried on in the tradition of doubledeck coaches used by Thames Valley on similar routes - but theirs were invariably of Bristol/ECW manufacturer. Optare 751 (L751FRD) is seen here on the L5 arriving in Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria.
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Spectra 751 viewed from the shopping gallery adjacent to the bank of Green Line stops in Buckingham Palace Road.
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Bova Futuras are unusual vehicles to be seen in Council owned fleets. Bova 271 (L671RUA) is seen on the London services at Hammersmith. Optare were at the time agents for Bova in the UK so it is not that surprising to see Bovas in the Reading fleet. The coach was initially registered as an Optare demonstrator.
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 With Arriva getting touchy about the use of the Green Line fleetname, Reading Buses split its two former First Beeline operations into Flightline and Londonline, the latter reviving the name used for the former Alder Valley London - Reading inherited services. Londonline 702 now offers an hourly service between London Victoria and Legoland via Hammersmith, the M4, Slough and Windsor Castle with early morning and late evening jounneys originating in Reading and travelling via Bracknell. There are roughly two hourly links to Legoland and on to London via that route too, mornings from Reading and afternoons from Legoland. New Alexander Dennis Enviro400CITY buses were bought for the routes. This is 735 (GL23LGO), approaching the main Slough Wellington Street bus stop near the burnt out Bus Station in July 2023.
Picture ref D3799 |
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 Londonline 702 732 (GL23LDN) is seen from the top deck of 735 at the William IV bus stop in Langley having just come off the M4 from London, with 735 about to join the motorway ahead.
Picture ref D3801 |
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 Seen having arrived in the capital is 735.
Picture ref D3803 |
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 Seen in May 2025 London bound 746 (LL74WND) is, like 735 above, turning into Wellington Street from Windsor. It is one of more buses built for the popular 702 and 703 services. On layover behind is similar generic liveried 741 (RG24BUS).
Picture ref D8340 |
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 A rear view of 746 at the same location two months later.
Picture ref D8535 |
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