THE SHOWBUS HOME COUNTIES BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Courtney Buses | The Optare Solo SR
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 Courtney Buses readily took to the stylish Optare Solo SR when it came on the market as an alternative to the ordinary Solo, which was soon discontinued. Parked in Frascati Way in Maidenhead on June 1st 2013 is Optare Solo SR YJ62FYH. |
 At the same place just over a year later was Solo SR YJ13HJX, on the contract to Maidenhead Office Park. Picture ref A3381 |
 On the same day, here is another on the contract, YJ13HKW. Picture ref A3385 |
 Being overtaken by a Reading Buses gas powered Scania K270UB 413 (YR13PLZ) scarlet bus in Reading in May 2015 is Solo SR YD63VBN.
Picture ref A7585 |
 At work in Windsor back in 2013 is anonymous SR YJ13HJY headed for Home Park. |
 A year on and all white Solo SR YJ13HJY had been painted blue and white as Courtney adopted colour coded routes in Maidenhead. Picture ref A3380 |
 The new Maidenhead scheme came in a year before as this June 2013 view shows deep purple Solo SR YJ62FEK overtaking First Berkshire Heathrow Connect Citaro ES64031 (LK07CCD) bound for Slough Station, but in Maidenhead High Street. |
 In this view of SR buses YJ62FEH (purple) and YJ62FYF (blue) on the same day in Frascati Way, you can see that the destination displays match the route branding. |
 Finally left alone, Solo YJ62FYF. |
 Solo SR YJ62FET is seen in Maidenhead orange livery in June 2014. Picture ref A3380 |
 In 2013 Courtney started serious competition on Bracknell town services against First Berkshire. Part of the assault team was this pair of yellow liveried Optare Solo SR buses, YJ62FMD followed by YJ62FME in Bracknell Bus Station that June. The yellow colours brought back memories of yellow Beeline buses in the town and First's response was to bring back the name and yellow livery on a fleet of refurbished Citaros displaced from the Heathrow fleet by the new Volvo hybrids. It did not work and in 2015 First Berkshire's depot in the town was closed down. |
 Heading for Reading is Solo SR YJ62FMA in May 2015.
Picture ref A7607 |
 When Courtney expanded into Wokingham they took the local coffee culture to heart in the livery of the Solo SR buses used. This is Latte, otherwise known as YJ14BGY, seen in the town, just having finished service for the day in July 2014. Picture ref A3691 |
 Latte seen again a year later in May heading into Reading on the 109.
Picture ref A7605 |
 Another year on Cappuccino (YJ14BGZ) is seen in Reading in August on the 127 to Maidenhead via Twyford.
Picture ref B4286 |
 Seen in Bracknell Bus Station in "Bracknell yellow" in June 2016 is Solo SR Bracken (YD63VBO) with Green Line Volvo B9TL 37998 (BF63HDX) resting behind.
Picture ref B3879 |
 Also in the Bus Station that day was Anna (YJ62FCC).
Picture ref B3878 |
 Out of service climbing Windsor Castle Hill in November 2018 was Pinocchio (YJ62FYF).
Picture ref C1912 |
 Natasha (YJ11OJK) is seen in Bracknell Bus Station in May 2017 with a sister Solo SR.
Picture ref B6243 |
 This is probably that Solo, unnamed KY63VTF, followed by Reading Buses Lion branded Alexander Dennis Enviro400 215 (SN11BVW) whilst a visiting Masons Van Hool T916, YJ09CUU, ex BM Coaches is on the right.
Picture ref B6241 |
 Solo KY63VTF was seen again that November climbing out of the Bus Station.
Picture ref B8101 |
 Forward to July 2019 and KY63VTF meets RATP's Original Tour Ayats open topper VLY602 (LX05GDY) by Windsor Castle.
Picture ref C4500 |
 An Solo Barnaby (YJ13HNG) is seen leaving Bracknell Bus Station for Binfield in November 2017.
Picture ref B8102 |
 Inside a Courtney Solo SR in June 2018.
Picture ref C451 |
 Seen the same day in Slough Bus Station this Solo SR is branded for a Heathrow service#.
Picture ref C452 |
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 The following month the ubiquitous KY63VTL is in Slough Bus Station Heathrow branded.
Picture ref C680 |
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 Back to Windsor in November 2018 with anonymous Solo SR YJ13HNH on the 10 to Dedworth.
Picture ref C1911 |
 Sister Solo Barnaby is seen headed for Bracknell in October 2019.
Picture ref C5389 |
 In contrast colourful Solo SR YD63VBO was seen in July that year on WIndsor Road, Slough, having just served Eton, which was cut off from Windsor, unless on foot, when the Eton-by-pass opened back in 1966.
Picture ref C4448 |
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