A number of enhancements to bus routes service Heathrow Airport have been implemented ahead of the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone (Look in on London August).
From July 23 a new Railair service, RA3 (Heathrow – Watford Junction) was introduced. Operated by First Beeline, the service runs hourly. Railair route RA1 (Reading – Heathrow) was diverted to service the Thames Valley park-&-ride in Reading, where airport staff can park for free. Additional early morning journeys, some of which run via Twyford and Maidenhead, were introduced whilst the frequency of route RA3 (Heathrow – Guildford) has increased to half hourly between the airport and Guildford. From August 27, First Beeline service 4 (Heathrow – Chippenham) was renumbered A4 and had its weekday frequency doubled to a bus every 15 minutes. The Sunday service on route 8 (Slough – Heathrow) was also doubled to two buses an hour and additional Sunday journeys, running between Watford and the airport, are now provided on Arriva Kent Thameside’s route 724 (Harlow – Heathrow).
Previously announced route H21 (Terminal 4 – Bedfont), operated by Diamond South East, and Thames Valley’s flexible Go2Gate service, linking Dedworth and Terminal 5, began running on August 19. New routes 730/1 (Terminal 5 – Frimley / Frimley – Basingstoke) were launched on August 21. Operated by Newbury & District, under the Flightline brand, these services are using existing Alexander Dennis Enviro400 buses until new coaches are delivered in October.
