First B&TV Service 702 (Bracknell - London)

[Robertj21a]

X26 is the interesting one, because I think that's the spiritual successor to the old Green Line route 726 which was a southern orbital route.

It was one of the Green Line services which wasn't registered as commercial in the 1980s - and I think Surrey CC contracted it? London Buses (or one of their units) ran it with red, coach seated Daf SB220s with Ikarus bodies IIRC?

The other GL services I'm aware of that LCBS didn't register as commercial were the 733 Hitchin - Heathrow which passed to Armchair initially and later was curtailed to Watford and operated by Luton & District and the 750 / 751 Hemel - Ware which initially stayed with London Country North West and later passed to Armchair being extended from Hemel to Rickmansworth and Heathrow.

Weren't those DAF/Ikarus on the 726 run by London Coaches ?

 

[Statto]

Weren't those DAF/Ikarus on the 726 run by London Coaches ?

Yep they were.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

I think the Green Line network specifically has some challenges - traditionally they were commuter routes from the London Transport / London Country commuter area into central London with a couple of orbital routes.



There are two or three routes which have survived and thrived though - the 724 as an orbital service around the north of London, the 757 from Luton Airport to London and the Hemel commuter services 758.
.

http://www.bus-photos.net/picture/show/17281/Arriva-7005 The 757 is not quite as green as it used to be (just a green line in fact)

 

[Busaholic]

I believe London Buses were trying to get rid of the 726 in the 90s, including cutting & early late journeys, then cutting it to Bromley-Heathrow, it got renumbered to X26 & cut further to West Croydon-Heathrow by TFL, but with frequency increased with early & late journeys reintroduced & now operated by deckers.

Bromley got the short straw with the X26 - a theoretically hourly service that could arrive at anytime, or not at all. Any cuts for late running occurred at the eastern end, partly because the buses/coaches were never allocated from any garage near Bromley or S.E. London and also because Heathrow had to get priority, apparently. A far cry from the 1970s and even into the 1980s when the 725/726 combined operated every 15 minutes over the Eastern end, with extras from Dartford to Croydon in the peaks and even duplicate coaches at times! When I had a shop at Shortlands in the late 1970s I often saw standing passengers in the peaks. I still think there should be an express Bromley to Croydon route to supplement the meandering 119, the frequency of which is about to be cut to something less in peak hours than has been seen since pre WW2.

 

[A0]

http://www.bus-photos.net/picture/show/17281/Arriva-7005 The 757 is not quite as green as it used to be (just a green line in fact)

That 'new' livery looks decidedly retro - the amount of white is not dissimilar to the amount that was on the Reliances which ran Green Line services in the late 70s / early 80s......

All over green only started to appear in the mid 80s on the various Tigers when the white on the NBC 'blinds' livery was replaced with a light green.

 

[Wirewiper]

Reading Buses has released some information about their plans and intentions for the 702, this was published in the "Bus News" bulletin which is posted every Saturday to the LondonsTransport Yahoo Group. It also includes some information about the vehicles that will be operating the service, at least over the first few months.

"Preparations are now underway for us taking over the Greenline 702 from December 27th. We've commenced driver recruitment, with a number of the existing drivers from First Slough applying to come and work for us.

"We're now busy interfacing with all the local authorities on route and are drawing up new timetable leaflets and info for our website.

"We're expanding onto this route as we see it as a way to generate profitable long-term growth; however we haven't purchased it. Therefore we don't have any historic data about the service. To start with we'll be launching on a "similar to First" basis but will be spending the few months watching, listening and learning to shape a complete relaunch of the route, including the timetable, from later in 2018.

"To start operations we'll be using a mix of existing Reading Buses vehicles that are fitted with high back coach style seating (such as 758) [ADL Enviro400 MMC - my note] and hired vehicles including three 52 leather coach seated Scania Omnilink tri-axle single deckers on long term hire from Stagecoach. We had recently purchased two second user Scania Caetano Levante coaches for training academy and rail replacement duties, however these will now be employed on the 702 too. For the launch we intend to paint a double decker in a modernised experimental version of the Green Line 702 livery. The other vehicles will be either plain or silver white with green branding. A number of demonstrator vehicles will be used in the first 4-6 weeks to evaluate the best type for the route longer term, especially with the need to meet London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ - Euro 6) from 2019."

 

[Bletchleyite]

That sounds extremely professional. Well done to them.

 

[Tetchytyke]

hired vehicles including three 52 leather coach seated Scania Omnilink tri-axle single deckers on long term hire from Stagecoach

Good luck with those...they'll need it.

 

[overthewater]

Here is the Full statements type thing: Also I'm sure there 51 seats...

 

[NorthKent1989]

I wonder if they'll extend the 702 into Reading? I use it quite regularly to visit my friend, it's £6 single, its long but cheap and a nice way to see Windsor and the surrounding areas.

 

[Bwsbro]

Some Services will operate to and Fromm Reading. On Saturday the 30th a 04:50, 05:30, 06:30, 07:30, 08:30 and 09:15 will start at Reading Belgrave Street,

The 06:50 and 07:50 from Slough will extend to Reading.

Return journeys from London to Reading will depart Victoria at 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00. The 21:00 journey to Slough will operate direct to Reading

 

[Woody38]

I wonder if they'll extend the 702 into Reading? I use it quite regularly to visit my friend, it's £6 single, its long but cheap and a nice way to see Windsor and the surrounding areas.

Here’s the timetable
http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.u...tdLPxx_spTr=1&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=RBUS

 

[Wirewiper]

Reading Buses now has information for the 702 on its website, including full timetables and details of ticketing.

www.reading-buses.co.uk/articles/the-new-green-line-702/

Reading Buses, as outlined previously, is going for a "soft launch", with times and fares similar to First. Indeed, Reading Buses will continue to accept First-issued passes until they expire, although they are under no obligation to do so.

Of interest though is that Greenline Day and season tickets will now be valid on all First Berkshire services (except, presumably, RailAir) and Reading Buses services. The day and weekly tickets will also be sold at the Arriva Greenline Office in Bulleid Way Coach Station, and at the First Office in Slough Bus Station.

There has also been a flurry of activity on Twitter as the new vehicles are readied for service. The two Caetano-bodied coaches are in two-tone Reading Buses generic grey with Green Line vinyls, whilst the three Scania OmniLinks have branding on white. ADL Enviro400 no. 1208 has gained a repaint into full Green Line livery as the launch vehicle. This was one of the nine owned by Weavaway when they operated the Reading-Newbury "jetblack 1" under contract to Reading Buses, being one of three "spares" in overall black livery that could be used on other Weavaway duties when not required. It gained Reading Buses generic in 2014 when Reading Buses took jetblack 1 back in-house. More recently it gained a version of Reading Buses 2016 livery to mark 30 years of operation as an arms-length company following deregulation, and this year this was amended to Newbury Buses colours to mark 25 years since its formation, when Reading Buses purchased Bee Line's operations in Newbury. Green Line is therefore its fifth livery in six years!

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Good luck with those...they'll need it.

I'm assuming that these are in fact the Ex Fife Omnilinks? What region got the remainder of them for Reading to get them on long term loan?

 

[overthewater]

I'm assuming that these are in fact the Ex Fife Omnilinks? What region got the remainder of them for Reading to get them on long term loan?

A few got sold to Docherty midland coaches, Stagecoach Newcaslte has 3 aswell so I think that covers everything? No one else wanted to buy them expect for Reading who might well buy them if there prove to be good?

 

[alex397]

There has also been a flurry of activity on Twitter as the new vehicles are readied for service. The two Caetano-bodied coaches are in two-tone Reading Buses generic grey with Green Line vinyls, whilst the three Scania OmniLinks have branding on white. ADL Enviro400 no. 1208 has gained a repaint into full Green Line livery as the launch vehicle. This was one of the nine owned by Weavaway when they operated the Reading-Newbury "jetblack 1" under contract to Reading Buses, being one of three "spares" in overall black livery that could be used on other Weavaway duties when not required. It gained Reading Buses generic in 2014 when Reading Buses took jetblack 1 back in-house. More recently it gained a version of Reading Buses 2016 livery to mark 30 years of operation as an arms-length company following deregulation, and this year this was amended to Newbury Buses colours to mark 25 years since its formation, when Reading Buses purchased Bee Line's operations in Newbury. Green Line is therefore its fifth livery in six years!

Yes i've seen this on their Twitter too. They have set up a dedicated Twitter account 'Green Line 702' for this, which is a good idea.

Did First have a dedicated Twitter account for this route, or just use their general area account?

 

[Wirewiper]

A few got sold to Docherty midland coaches, Stagecoach Newcaslte has 3 aswell so I think that covers everything? No one else wanted to buy them expect for Reading who might well buy them if there prove to be good?

Reading Buses only has these on loan, which is why they have remained in dealer white. The Caetano-bodied coaches were always intended for the Reading Buses fleet anyway (for Training Academy work and weekend rail replacement work) so have gained RB's generic livery. The aim is to order new vehicles for the route after a period of assessment.

 

[Volvodart]

24004 was still in Jet livery last Friday in Aberdeen. I presume it has been/will be repainted white.

 

[Busoccultation]

Stagecoach 24007 in White Livery with Green Line branding

(Image Source: Steven Knight Media)

 

[class387]

Can anyone embed a picture of the full 702 livery on 1208 please (I can't access Twitter or Flickr right now)?

 

[Busaholic]

Stagecoach 24007 in White Livery with Green Line branding

(Image Source: Steven Knight Media)

Someone's either got good knowledge or has access to photo albums of past operations - a real 'retro' feel.

 

[Wirewiper]

In case anyone wants the full timetable for the Green Line Heritage Vehicle Running Day on Christmas Eve, Sunday 24th December, it is here:

http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/files/timetables/new/green line 702 Xmas Eve special.pdf

The service is free, with all drivers and conductors giving their time voluntarily. Donations are welcome and will be collected on behalf of Red Balloon Learning Centres, who support schoolchildren who are missing, or have missed, vital education due to bullying or other trauma. Reading Buses staff choose a different charity every year to support, and Red Balloon is their charity for 2017.

Just a reminder that there are no trains between London Paddington and Slough on Christmas Eve. The best way to travel between Central London and Slough is to take the Metropolitan Line to Hillingdon, from where there will be non-stop rail replacement buses to Slough. Otherwise there are (slow!) rail replacement buses between Ealing Broadway and Slough calling at Southall, Hayes & Harlington, West Drayton and Langley.

 

[Hophead]

Presumably, one could also take SouthWestern from Waterloo to Windsor?

 

[Non Multi]

Can anyone embed a picture of the full 702 livery on 1208 please (I can't access Twitter or Flickr right now)?

Source: https://twitter.com/MELyons_TW15

 

[Robertj21a]

View attachment 40753 View attachment 40754
Source: https://twitter.com/MELyons_TW15

Great livery.

 

[class387]

View attachment 40753 View attachment 40754
Source: https://twitter.com/MELyons_TW15

Wow. This is stunning. So much better than the new Arriva ones and in fact any since LT.

 

[Non Multi]

RB Greenline 702 leaflet (includes timetable and maps) PDF http://www.greenline702.co.uk/greenline_leaflet_nov17.pdf