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READING BUSES - Bid a fond farewell to the Metrobus - by Frank Brown

Reading said goodbye to its last step entrance buses over the weekend of 23/24th February 2008, the town becoming 'low floor' from Monday 25th February.  On Saturday 23rd, five Metrobuses and a couple of early Spectras operated in 'normal' all day service on routes 12, 20, 31, 33, 63, 65 and also a special on Premier Route 17.  Sunday 24th, all available veterans were employed on the football match troop movement between the railway station and Madejski Stadium.  Metrobus 465 [sporting Reading FC colours of blue and white] ran a Sunday afternoon commemorative tour organised by the British Trolleybus Associations Reading Branch, over former stomping grounds.  Unfortunately, Reading had just lost 2-1 at home against Aston Villa, possibly leading to relegation.  The sight of 465 parading around old haunts rather rubbed salt into the wound!

The Optare Spectras arrived in Reading in 1992 and included the prototype exhibited at the 1991 Bus & Coach Show all numbered in the 7xx series.  From 25/2 the early step entrance versions [701/2/4/6-13] will be confined to schools or supplement Newbury Buses.  703/5 were sold in July 2005 and March 2007 respectively. 

[Noted in last day  use, Sat 23/2/08 - 701/10]

The Metrobus proved a trusty steed in Reading, first introduced with rival Leyland Titans in 1979.  The Metrobus eventually won favour and today the surviving fleet were all 1987/8 mk11 versions from a batch of 15 acquired in 1991 [455-69], ex LBL [Harrow Buses M1454/6-60/75/62-9] rendered surplus due to tendering losses.  From 25/2 the survivors were de-licensed and withdrawn pending sale.  However, it was a fitting tribute by Reading Buses to give the popular Metrobuses a good send off after 29 years of distinctive service.  [Noted in last day use, Sat 23/2/08 - 463/4/6/8/9]

469 [E469 SON] stands at the 'station' terminus on route 20, marking the end of Metrobus operation in Reading, Saturday 23rd February 2008

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