04/02/2014

Bracknell Bus War: Thames Travel Surrender (18/01/14)

Sorry of the lack of posts recently, recent events have prevented me (Aubrey) from being able to construct proper posts. On the upside, there are more interesting things to come! Meanwhile, the wee little change is that the description includes 'Berkshire' as part of what we cover, so here's some of that!

On the 13th January, Thames Travel pulled out of Bracknell, leaving routes 53, 108, 152, 153, 154, 156 and 162 to Courtney and First Beeline, for four months, at least! Aubrey went down to Bracknell to see the clash of the remaining two rivals.

First Beeline took 53, 108 and 153, meaning that Darts from First Hampshire and Dorset came up north to Bracknell for these routes:

First Beeline 42114 on Route 153, Bracknell
First Beeline 42114 on Route 153, Bracknell

First Beeline 40956 on Route 53, Bracknell
First Beeline 40956 on Route 53, Bracknell

First Beeline 64015 on Route 108, Bracknell
First Beeline 64015 on Route 108, Bracknell

First Beeline 64018 on Route 108, Bracknell Bus Station
First Beeline 64018 on Route 108, Bracknell Bus Station

Buzzing Citaros
First Beeline 64018 on Route 108 waits behind ES64001 on Route 155, Bracknell Bus Station

First Beeline 42114 on Route 153, Bracknell
First Beeline 42114 on Route 153, Bracknell

First Beeline 65621 on Route 108, Bracknell
First Beeline 65621 on Route 108, Bracknell. Note the lack of flip-dot display.

First Beeline 42113 (Route 53), 64015 (Route 108), Bracknell
First Beeline 42113 (Route 53), 64015 (Route 108), Bracknell

Courtney Buses took 152, 154, 156 and 162. Hired SoloSRs have come in for this:

Courtney Buses YD63UZE on Route 162, Bracknell
Courtney Buses YD63UZE on Route 162, Bracknell, in amongst a sea of Beeline. Early 2013, 108 and 162 was by Thames Travel.

Courtney YD63UZE on Route 152, Bracknell
Courtney YD63UZE on Route 152, Bracknell

Courtney Buses KP63RHE on Route 154, Bracknell
Courtney Buses KP63RHE on Route 154, Bracknell

Courtney YD63UZF on Route 152, Bracknell
Courtney YD63UZF on Route 152, Bracknell

Courtney YD63UXF on Route 152, Bracknell
Courtney YD63UXF on Route 152, Bracknell

And finally, a few tangents with First Beeline. A Green Line on the 190:
First Beeline 32348 on Route 190, Bracknell
First Beeline 32348 on Route 190, Bracknell

...and the cheap rebrand awaiting the buzzing Beeline livery:
Cheap Rebrand
First Beeline ES64021 on Route X94, Bracknell

 What will happen after the four months?

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