Nine new coaches enter service and will operate to a frequency of up to every 20 minutes for RailAir
First Berkshire has invested £2.5m in a fleet of Euro VI coaches for its Reading to Heathrow RailAir service.
The fleet of Irizar i6-bodied Scania K-series IB4x2 coaches were launched at the RailAir lounge at Reading Station on Monday. The Euro VI coaches will produce 95% less oxides of nitrogen (NOx) than the outgoing fleet, which consisted of a mix of Plaxton Panther-bodied Volvo B9Rs and B12Bs, and a solitary Irizar Century bodied Scania K114IB.
Passengers will benefit from free WiFi, USB charging points, air-conditioning, white LED Hanover destination equipment and internal passenger screens to display live departure information for each terminal at Heathrow Airport and from Reading Station to keep passengers informed about their onward journeys.
Simon Goff, Interim Managing Director for First Berkshire, said: “This investment is fantastic news for RailAir passengers. Our team has worked tirelessly to turn RailAir into effectively the most modern and luxurious coach service to Heathrow Airport – travelling in the equivalent of first class on our coaches is an ideal start for those who may have a connecting flight ahead of them.”
The service operates seven days a week, up to every 20 minutes from 0400hrs until 2300hrs. Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 (Central Bus Station) and 5 are served with a journey time of 38 minutes from Reading Station.
Passengers benefit from a waiting lounge at Reading Station that features toilets and a hot and cold drinks facility.
Contactless payment is also available with tickets starting from £20 for an early bird adult return.