Alexander Dennis has supplied four new Plaxton Panther coaches to Reading Buses to run on new service routes to London Heathrow airport.
The coaches are dedicated to the recently-established Flightline 730 and 731 routes – operated by Reading Buses’ subsidiary Newbury & District – providing a coach link from Basingstoke, Frimley, Camberley, and Bagshot to Heathrow Terminal 5.
Aimed at both travellers and staff, the operator provides an extensive timetable with the first journey arriving at the airport before 4am and the last departure after midnight.
The coaches are wheelchair-accessible with side-mounted lifts and have been finished with wood-effect flooring, comfortable seating and ample legroom, as well as free Wi-Fi and USB charging for all 53 passenger seats.
Volvo have provided the B8R chassis for the Panther.
The service is a new commercial venture that has been developed with input from Heathrow Airport.
It follows Reading Buses’ introduction earlier in 2023 of seven new, bespoke Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double deckers on its Windsor Express routes.
These have included vehicles for the high-profile Flightline 703 service, linking Bracknell, Windsor and Slough to the airport.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive said: “Our Newbury & District Flightline 730 and 731 route fills several gaps in the public transport network between key towns on the A30 corridor in north-east Hampshire and north-west Surrey.
“Alexander Dennis had Plaxton Panther coaches available within the timeframe we needed, which are well suited to the motorway sections of the route and offer plenty of room for luggage.”
