Emerald: The Gem of Reading

emerald branding. Oh yes, the word "emerald" does reflect light, and is embossed onto the bodywork. (© Aubrey)

The emerald routes 5/6-6a are formerly the "mint green" routes that run south of Reading along Northumberland Avenue (5) or run to Whitley Wood via Basingstoke Road (6/6a).


Reading Buses 768 on Route 5, Reading Station (© Aubrey)

On 10th May 2015, these routes gained the new Enviro 400 MMCs, the second batch for Reading Buses, and to be brutally honest, they were as good as I expected. And then some.


Reading Buses 766 on Route 6 overtakes 751 on Route 21 at Reading Station (© Aubrey)

Reading Station and town centre allow a comparison to be made between the two batches as they pass side by side, and there are a few differences, apart from the obvious interior and livery changes. The emerald bus has Emerald branding at the front, whilst the claret bus has Reading Buses on the front. There are white LED displays (which work well with the branding) on the emerald, whilst orange LED displays are on the claret bus (which bides well with the claret bus).


"Reading Buses 764 on Route 6, Reading Station (© Aubrey)

Both the 5 and 6 are very frequent, with a combined 4 minute frequency (every 8 minutes per route), which means the buses frequently pass Reading centre. However, the third route which uses these branded buses, Route 6a, does not run that frequent at all.


Reading Buses 770 on Route 6a, Reading Station (© Aubrey)

This route runs to the Tesco Distribution Centre near the Madejski Stadium (Reading FC) and M4 Junction 11, and only runs when shift changes occur there.

I (Aubrey) took the midday shift change buses, and went on 760 on the second 6a.


The USB chargers are between the seats, and are quite small. One set didn't work so I had to use an alternative one on the row behind. (CC Aubrey)


Reading Buses 760 on Route 6a, Reading Tesco Distribution Centre (© Aubrey)

The embossed finish of the word "emerald" in the branding does make it stand out, as seen in the photo with the sunlight helping those embossed parts to shine.

Then the nice driver of 770 went back to Tesco Distribution Centre he had the only duty to do the 6a twice.


Reading Buses 770 on Route 6a, Reading Tesco Distribution Centre (© Aubrey)

These buses seem to be good, but apparently when trying to catch up time, it can be hard due to the electronic handbrake and in order to leave faster, it is ironic that the brake needs to be pressed! Otherwise, they seem to be good buses.


Upper deck interior from rear (© Aubrey)

Note the upper deck screen: this has a sticker over the screen display. This is possibly being due to that not all the screens had arrived by this time.


Lower deck interior (CC Aubrey)

Typical wood-effect flooring, next stop information screen and route branded coordinated interior.

The ride there and back was pretty smooth. The seats weren't the best, but they were pretty good. The ride was very smooth and the rattles were non-existent.


Reading Buses 763 on Route 5, Reading Station (© Aubrey)
(yes, that is a Reading Buses rare working beside the MMC, with the Lower Caversham shuttle bus on the Woodley nineteens).

So ADL did bring a rattle-proof bus, albeit a few months after it came into production! These buses look the part, and probably are the gem in Reading Buses's crown!


Reading Buses 769 on Route 5 and 754 on Route 21, Reading Station (© Aubrey)

Oh, and they are better than their claret counterparts in my opinion. Possibly the best Enviro 400 MMCs in the Home Counties so far. Either way, these buses are looking good and look good in giving a service.