Berkshire bus routes 701, 702 and 703 explained

Number:The London Line 701 and 702
Flightline 703
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Operator:Reading Buses (The London Line 701 and 702)
Thames Valley Buses (Flightline 703)
Vehicle:Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City
Start:Reading station (701)
Legoland Windsor (702)
Bracknell (703)
Via:Windsor
Slough
Hammersmith (702)
End:Legoland Windsor (701)
Green Line Coach Station (702)
Heathrow Terminal 5 (703)
Day:Monday – Sunday

Windsor Express (The London Line 701 and 702 & Flightline 703) are bus routes that run between Reading, Windsor, Bracknell and London.[1]

History

In 2015, FirstGroup announced plans to withdraw all their services, including route 702, from Bracknell.[2] However, it was subsequently announced that the route would be retained.[3]

In December 2017, Reading Buses took over the 702 route from FirstGroup. For the first day of service on 24 December, passengers could board for free and various heritage vehicles were used on the route.[4] [5] First had previously announced it would withdraw the route as it said it had become unsustainable due to increasing costs of operation.[6] [7]

On 8 May 2018, route 703 was introduced.[8] [9] Buses were branded as the "Royal Express" and painted in a gold and purple livery, coinciding with the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.[10] At the time, the routes were operated using Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMCs.[11]

From 2 November 2020, some early morning and late evening 702 journeys started running via the M4 between Reading and Slough.[12]

In January 2021 route 702 was suspended due to low usage as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.[13]

On 24 July 2022, route 703 increased its frequency to provide a half-hourly service between Heathrow Airport and Slough, as a result of the airport's partnership. There is also now an improved hourly service between Legoland Windsor and Slough throughout the day.

In February 2023, seven 76-seater Alexander Dennis Enviro400 Citys were ordered to upgrade routes 702 and 703.[14] Delivery of these buses in June 2023 coincided with Reading Buses dropping the Green Line brand for both routes, with route 702 becoming The London Line and route 703 becoming the Flightline, both under the new Windsor Express brand. 3 extra vehicles were delivered in February 2024 to complete the Flightline upgrade, coinciding with the Reading Buses' Lion 4/X4 upgrade.[15]

In March 2024, Thames Valley Buses took over the operation of Flightline 703 from Reading Buses.[16]

Current routes

The London Line route 701

Route 701 operates via these primary locations:[17]

Buses on route 701 continue beyond Legoland to and from London Victoria as route 702.

The London Line route 702

Route 702 operates via these primary locations:[17]

Limited early morning and late evening buses continue beyond Legoland to and from Reading as route 701.

Flightline route 703

Route 703 operates via these primary locations:[16]

References

  1. Web site: Green Line 702 & 703 - Bus & Coach in Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead. 2022-01-24. Visit Windsor. en-GB.
  2. Web site: 2015-08-13. First Buses to continue 702 service from Bracknell to London. 2022-01-24. Bracknell News. en.
  3. Web site: Fort. Hugh. 2015-08-18. Under-threat Bracknell bus route to London retained. 2022-01-28. BerkshireLive. en.
  4. Web site: Dougall. Emily. 2017-11-21. Reading Buses to take over Green Line 702 with special running day. 2022-01-24. Coach & Bus Week. en-GB.
  5. Web site: 2018-01-03. Green Line 702 changes hands. 2022-01-24. Coach & Bus Week.
  6. Web site: Lee. David. 2017-11-26. Reading Buses to take over Green Line 702 bus service. 2022-01-24. Slough & South Bucks Express.
  7. Web site: Brunetti. Nic. 2017-11-29. Slough and Windsor bus service facing the axe is saved after rival bus company intervenes. 2022-01-24. Slough Observer. en.
  8. Web site: Aldridge. James. 2018-04-15. Reading Buses launches route to Heathrow Airport. 2022-01-24. InYourArea.
  9. Web site: 2018-04-11. New bus route to be launched connecting Bracknell and Heathrow. 2022-01-24. Bracknell News. en.
  10. Web site: Taboada. Khadija. 2018-05-07. Spot Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on a Reading bus. 2022-01-24. InYourArea.
  11. Web site: Dougall. Emily. 2018-02-13. BCI on Reading's Green Line 702. 2022-01-24. Coach & Bus Week. en-GB.
  12. Web site: Knight. Alice. 2020-10-19. Here are the changes being made to Reading Buses' timetable. 2022-01-24. Reading Chronicle. en.
  13. Web site: Drew. Sophie. 2021-01-20. Some bus routes suspended as hardly anyone is using them. 2022-01-24. BerkshireLive. en.
  14. Web site: Reading Buses orders seven Enviro400s for Green Line . routeone . 2 February 2023 . 2 February 2023.
  15. Web site: Green Line now Flight Line and London Line for Reading . routeone . 16 June 2023 . 16 June 2023.
  16. Web site: Route 703: Bracknell to Heathrow Terminal 5. Thames Valley Buses. 23 April 2024.
  17. Web site: Routes 701/702: Reading and Legoland to London Victoria. Reading Buses. 23 July 2024.