THE HOME COUNTIES BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Reading Buses cream liveried singledeckers

		Reading images	reading-buses.co.uk	Home Co bus images
Page 1

A number of Optare City Pacers used on Reading Town Services and operated by the company's low cost unit. This vehicle was originally used in Newbury, hence the lime green contrast as opposed to the usual turquoise for Reading Buses. Reading accumulated a number of City Pacers from a variety of sources, though they were the first purpose designed minibus, they were never hugely popular, primarily because of the Volkswagen LT van mechanics on which they were based. The transmission was not really up to bus work. Reading, an Optare devotee obviously managed to cope with them and they were certainly available at low cost secondhand! This Optare City Pacer, 215 (E236VUD), was new to South Midland, later Thames Transit, as their 36 and came to Reading by way of Lancaster City Transport where it had been numbered M8. It eventually ended up with Bromyard Transport (fleet number 121).

This City Pacer is in Reading Buses colours. The bus was new to the Welwyn Hatfield Line as their VO15 but is Reading's 224 (E999UYG).

Optare Metroriders feature prominently in the Reading fleet. Some were used for 'fast' services chasing Reading Mainline's Routemasters. The registration of 625 (M23UUA) reflects the Leeds base for Optare, this vehicle being one of a number of Optare demonstrators acquired by Reading. The bus later joined 621-623 with Blue Bus in Bolton later passing to Shamrock in Pontypridd.

Optare MetroRider 613 (H613NJB) is seen at Reading Station. When sold it worked with 611 and 612 for Ensignbus' Stratford Blue operation on the town service.