Bracknell Bus War - Courtney Spread their Wings

The introduction of Routes 189 and 192 are some sort of mixed message by Courtney Buses on First Beeline.

Route 189 is some sort of competition to Route 190, but doesn't reach Bracknell Town Centre, is only hourly, but does reach Jennett's Park, which will be served every 30 minutes by Route 90 from mid-August, hence leaving the competitor to make the next move. It uses double deckers that are usually from schools, and they are older than the rest of the Courtney Buses fleet...

Courtney Buses RX06WRU on Route 189, Wokingham Broad Street

The double deckers are painted in the chocolate-cream branding, this bus was originally from the Brooklands The Heights contract, but was moved to the 189 aftewards.


Courtney Buses RX58HVJ on Route 189, Wokingham
Sorry about the bad photo - it did spring up by surprise!

This second bus is from the Milton Park contract, which has since gotten new E40H thus displacing this bus to the 189.

The other competing route Courtney has started is Route 192, which is basically the 191 to Windsor from Bracknell - offering a very limited service in the early mornings and evenings northbound am, southbound pm. This livens up the dead runs of the 6/6A/16 buses of Windsor.


Courtney Buses 'Rupert' (YJ62 FYB) on Route 192, Windsor Castle

This bus had arrived with one passenger. This however, was the first service at nearly 6:50am on a Monday... This bus became a 6 afterwards, with next stop information - a step ahead of First Beeline!

Also, before the 194 for First Beeline was planned to change to the 94, Courtney Buses first made an identity of the 194 separate from the 171/172, branding with a lemon-peach livery:


Courtney Buses 'Pinocchio' (YJ62 FYF) on Route 194, Bracknell Bus Station
The 194 (Courtney) also has an hourly service throughout each day.

And a comparison between the two lemon brands:


Courtney Buses 'Woodie' (YJ62 FMD) on Route 171 and Pinocchio (YJ62 FYF) on Route 194, Bracknell Bus Station