Berkshire bus routes 701, 702 and 703

In 2015, FirstGroup announced plans to withdraw all their services, including route 702, from Bracknell.{{Cite web|date=2015-08-13|title=First Buses to continue 702 service from Bracknell to London|url=https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/13593958.new-702-greenline-will-stop-at-heatherwood-hospital-legoland-and-king-edward-vii-hospital/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Bracknell News|language=en}} However, it was subsequently announced that the route would be retained.{{Cite web|last=Fort|first=Hugh|date=2015-08-18|title=Under-threat Bracknell bus route to London retained|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/under-threat-bracknell-bus-route-9876517|access-date=2022-01-28|website=BerkshireLive|language=en}}

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.{{Cite web|last=Dougall|first=Emily|date=2017-11-21|title=Reading Buses to take over Green Line 702 with special running day|url=https://cbwmagazine.com/reading-buses-take-green-line-702-special-running-day/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Coach & Bus Week|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=2018-01-03|title=Green Line 702 changes hands|url=https://cbwmagazine.com/green-line-702-changes-hands/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Coach & Bus Week}} First had previously announced it would withdraw the route as it said it had become unsustainable due to increasing costs of operation.{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=David|date=2017-11-26|title=Reading Buses to take over Green Line 702 bus service|url=https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/gallery/slough/124350/reading-buses-to-take-over-green-line-702-bus-service.html|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Slough & South Bucks Express}}{{Cite web|last=Brunetti|first=Nic|date=2017-11-29|title=Slough and Windsor bus service facing the axe is saved after rival bus company intervenes|url=https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/15691196.first-bus-green-line-702-service-facing-the-axe-is-saved-after-rival-bus-company-reading-buses-intervenes/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Slough Observer|language=en}}

On 8 May 2018, route 703 was introduced.{{Cite web|last=Aldridge|first=James|date=2018-04-15|title=Reading Buses launches route to Heathrow Airport|url=https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/reading-buses-launches-route-to-heathrow-airport/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=InYourArea}}{{Cite web|date=2018-04-11|title=New bus route to be launched connecting Bracknell and Heathrow|url=https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/16152554.new-bus-route-launched-connecting-bracknell-heathrow/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Bracknell News|language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Taboada|first=Khadija|date=2018-05-07|title=Spot Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on a Reading bus|url=https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/spot-prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-on-a-reading-bus/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=InYourArea}} At the time, the routes were operated using Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMCs.{{Cite web|last=Dougall|first=Emily|date=2018-02-13|title=BCI on Reading's Green Line 702|url=https://cbwmagazine.com/bci-readings-green-line-702/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Coach & Bus Week|language=en-GB}}

From 2 November 2020, some early morning and late evening 702 journeys started running via the M4 between Reading and Slough.{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Alice|date=2020-10-19|title=Here are the changes being made to Reading Buses' timetable|url=https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/18805594.reading-buses-make-changes-timetable/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Reading Chronicle|language=en}}

In January 2021 route 702 was suspended due to low usage as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.{{Cite web|last=Drew|first=Sophie|date=2021-01-20|title=Some bus routes suspended as hardly anyone is using them|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-buses-suspends-two-routes-19665736|access-date=2022-01-24|website=BerkshireLive|language=en}}

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 {{cvt|37.8|ft|m|1}} 76-seater Alexander Dennis Enviro400 Citys were ordered to upgrade routes 702 and 703.{{cite web|url=https://www.route-one.net/news/reading-buses-orders-seven-enviro400s-for-green-line/ |title=Reading Buses orders seven Enviro400s for Green Line |work=routeone |date=2 February 2023 |access-date=2 February 2023}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.route-one.net/news/green-line-now-flight-line-and-london-line-for-reading/ |title=Green Line now Flight Line and London Line for Reading |work=routeone |date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023}}

In March 2024, Thames Valley Buses took over the operation of Flightline 703 from Reading Buses.{{cite web|url=https://www.thamesvalleybuses.com/services/CTNY/703|title=Route 703: Bracknell to Heathrow Terminal 5|work=Thames Valley Buses|access-date=23 April 2024}}

Route 701 operates via these primary locations:{{cite web|url=https://www.reading-buses.co.uk/services/RBUS/702|title=Routes 701/702: Reading and Legoland to London Victoria|work=Reading Buses|access-date=23 July 2024}}

• Reading station {{rail-interchange|gb|bus}} {{rail-interchange|gb|rail}}
• Bracknell bus station {{rail-interchange|gb|bus}}
• Heatherwood Hospital
• Legoland Windsor Resort

Buses on route 701 continue beyond Legoland to and from London Victoria as route 702.

Route 702 operates via these primary locations:

• Legoland Windsor Resort
• Windsor Parish Church
• Slough Wellington Street {{rail-interchange|gb|bus}}
• Langley
• Hammersmith Broadway
• Kensington (Olympia) station {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|overground}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}
• Knightsbridge
• Hyde Park Corner
• Green Line Coach Station {{rail-interchange|gb|bus}} for Victoria bus station {{rail-interchange|london|bus}} and Victoria station {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}}

Limited early morning and late evening buses continue beyond Legoland to and from Reading as route 701.

Route 703 operates via these primary locations:

• Bracknell bus station {{rail-interchange|gb|bus}}
• Heatherwood Hospital
• Brookside
• Cranbourne
• Legoland Windsor Resort
• Windsor Parish Church
• Slough Wellington Street {{rail-interchange|gb|bus}}
• Langley
• Colnbrook
• Heathrow Terminal 5 {{rail-interchange|london|underground}} {{rail-interchange|london|elizabeth}} {{rail-interchange|london|rail}} {{rail-interchange|london|bus}} {{rail-interchange|air}} {{rail-interchange|gb|bus}}

Category:Green Line Coaches routes

Category:Buses serving Heathrow Airport

Category:Bus routes in England

Category:Transport in Berkshire