Windsor Express (The London Line 701 and 702 & Flightline 703) are bus routes that run between Reading, Windsor, and London.[1]
| The London Line 701 and 702 Flightline 703 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Operator | Reading Buses (The London Line 701 and 702) Thames Valley Buses (Flightline 703) |
| Vehicle | Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City |
| Route | |
| 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) |
| Service | |
| Operates | Monday – Sunday |
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 37.8 ft (11.5 m) 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]