Milton Keynes Central to Reading still possible with the X5 (MKC to Oxford) being withdrawn from Saturday?

[gray1404]

Milton Keynes Central to Reading still possible with the X5 (MKC to Oxford) being withdrawn from Saturday?

Will Milton Keynes - Aylesbury and High Wycombe - Reading still be possible by bus come next week with the service reductions?

Milton Keynes - Oxford - Reading sadly won't be possible any longer.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Where have you read that the X5 is being withdrawn?

Edit: found it:

X5 and 905 Bus Routes Timetables & Latest Information

Travel between Oxford and Bedford in comfort on our X5 coach service and change to our 905 double decker service at Bedford Bus Station for onward travel to Cambridge via St Neots and Cambourne.

www.stagecoachbus.com

Most surprising, it continued throughout the previous lockdown.

 

[Mike395]

It's here: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/stagecoach-x5 - though it's strictly time-limited to the national lockdown and will be reinstated as soon as out-of-area non essential travel is legally permitted again.

In answer to your Milton Keynes to Reading query, it'll make the route somewhat convoluted - if you're making that journey, I'd strongly recommend going by rail (via London).

 

[A0wen]

Milton Keynes Central to Reading still possible with the X5 (MKC to Oxford) being withdrawn from Saturday?

Will Milton Keynes - Aylesbury and High Wycombe - Reading still be possible by bus come next week with the service reductions?

Milton Keynes - Oxford - Reading sadly won't be possible any longer.

In theory MK - Aylesbury - Wycombe - Reading is still doable, albeit slow.

I'm surprised the X5 was curtailed at MK - I'd have expected the bit to Bicester to continue as I'm not sure there's an alternative, but Bicester - Oxford has other options.

 

[Bletchleyite]

In theory MK - Aylesbury - Wycombe - Reading is still doable, albeit slow.

I'm surprised the X5 was curtailed at MK - I'd have expected the bit to Bicester to continue as I'm not sure there's an alternative, but Bicester - Oxford has other options.

I believe it leaves Buckingham-Bicester unserved, though that's usually single figures or none in my experience. For Buckingham-MK you've got the X60. For Bicester-MK you could go to Aylesbury then Risborough then Bicester North, though it's convoluted and via London would probably be easier, though I can't imagine there's a lot of demand for that.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I believe it leaves Buckingham-Bicester unserved, though that's usually single figures or none in my experience. For Buckingham-MK you've got the X60. For Bicester-MK you could go to Aylesbury then Risborough then Bicester North, though it's convoluted and via London would probably be easier, though I can't imagine there's a lot of demand for that.

You could do 505 Bicester to Brackley, then the few 87s a day to either Silverstone or Towcester, then the two hourly X91 to MK..... Leave Bicester at 0840, into MK by 1050

As you say, it's hardly a major flow that is being missed out.

 

[gray1404]

In theory MK - Aylesbury - Wycombe - Reading is still doable, albeit slow.

I'm surprised the X5 was curtailed at MK - I'd have expected the bit to Bicester to continue as I'm not sure there's an alternative, but Bicester - Oxford has other options.

Thanks, I'll do MK - Aylesbury - Wycombe - Reading. Glad that's still possible.

 

[A0wen]

Thanks, I'll do MK - Aylesbury - Wycombe - Reading. Glad that's still possible.

2 hours to get to High Wycombe from MK. A further 90 mins from Wycombe - Reading. You're looking at 4 hours with connections.

The only way I could see of trimming that would be train to Watford Junction, Green Line 724 to Heathrow and then the RailAir bus to Reading. About 30 mins MKC - WFJ and then 2h 20 for the other bit.

 

[Non Multi]

Bus route 100: MK to Aylesbury, Red Rose Travel, 52mins, Hourly Mon-Sat.

1st train ticket:
Aylesbury-Oxford (change at Princes Risborough for Oxford) Chiltern Railways, 57mins (under 90mins if including waiting at Princes R.)

Alternatively use the Arriva 280 Bus, Aylesbury-Oxford, 100mins. Every 20 mins Mon-Fri.

2nd train ticket:
Oxford-Reading GWR, 25 Minutes.

Splitting rail tickets at Oxford seems to be the cheaper option, as Cross Country (££) sets the fares for a through journey via Oxford.

 

[gray1404]

Thanks so much guys. I going to stick to the bus and use my Concessionary travel pass.

 

[James Wake]

You can also do MK-Aylesbury-Oxford-Reading, the Aylesbury to Oxford bus is super scenic according to my friends, so it would be 100/150 or X60 then 280 then X39/X40

 

[gray1404]

You can also do MK-Aylesbury-Oxford-Reading, the Aylesbury to Oxford bus is super scenic according to my friends, so it would be 100/150 or X60 then 280 then X39/X40

Is this better then via High Wycombe?

 

[Non Multi]

Buses 800/850, 300, and 100 all the way Reading to MK. Example journeys:

800 Reading, Friar St to Wycombe Bus Stn
Dep 1012, Arr 1136

300 Wycombe Bus Stn to Aylesbury Bus Stn
Dep 1155, Arr 1246

100 Aylesbury Bus Stn to Milton Keynes, The Point (H3)
Dep 1300, Arr 1352

----------------

100 Milton Keynes to Aylesbury Bus Station
Dep 1000, Arr 1052

300 Aylesbury Bus Stn to Wycombe Bus Stn.
Dep 1105, Arr 1156

850 Wycombe Bus Stn to Reading, Friar St
Dep 1200, Arr 1322

(Or 800 Wycombe Bus Stn to Reading, Friar St
Dep 1220, Arr 1342)

 

[James Wake]

Is this better then via High Wycombe?

Depends on timing, you might also get all double decker. Wycombe to Reading 800/850 will be single

 

[gray1404]

I've just realised, the 100 doesn't serve MKC Rail Station and its quite a walk to The Point. Are any of the services from MKC Station to Aylesbury still viable and regular without excessive journey times?

To be honest, I don't mind what sort of bus is used. If choosing between going via High Wycombe or Oxford, I'd take the one with the lesser journey time.

 

[Qwerty133]

Does anyone actually think gallivanting around on several different bus services across multiple areas during a national lockdown is within the rules or a good idea?

Even if this journey is essential approaching it in such a way is likely to put keyworkers and vulnerable people at significant risk unnecessarily compared to the op completing the journey using the much more sensible routes offered by train services.

 

[GusB]

The OP has not specified whether this journey is essential or not, but is merely asking if such a journey is possible. The rights and wrongs of making such a trip are outwith the scope of this thread.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've just realised, the 100 doesn't serve MKC Rail Station and its quite a walk to The Point.

You could take, er, a bus? (There are plenty, at least every 5 minutes or so, as all MK town routes come together onto that stretch)

I think the Arriva X60 is still going, though? Will be the only MK-Buckingham route if the X5 has gone.

 

[Non Multi]

850 Reading, Friar St to Wycombe Bus Stn
Dep 0935, Arr 1056

300 Wycombe Bus Stn to Aylesbury Bus Stn
Dep 1105, Arr 1156

X60 Aylesbury Bus Stn to Milton Keynes, Rail Stn
Dep 1210, Arr 1322

----------------

X60 Milton Keynes Rail Stn to Aylesbury Bus Station
Dep 0945, Arr 1103

300 Aylesbury Bus Stn to Wycombe Bus Stn
Dep 1105, Arr 1151
Or
Dep 1120, Arr 1206

800/850 Wycombe Bus Stn to Reading, Friar St
850: Dep 1200, Arr 1322
Or
800: Dep 1220, Arr 1342

 

[RELL6L]

I wouldn't agree that Aylesbury to Oxford is super scenic. It's main roads most of the way with no special scenery. Haddenham is pleasant, Thame is OK. You see a bit of Oxford. Oxford to Reading on the X39/X40 is probably better especially the section just south of Wallingford - but you probably know this if you go via Oxford on the X5 normally. And both legs from Aylesbury to Reading via Oxford are double deckers more often than not.

Aylesbury to Reading via High Wycombe is as good scenically with some attractive sections but again its on relatively main roads. 800/850 is all single deckers, I think 300 between Wycombe and Aylesbury is about 50-50. Although the 800/850 goes through the attractive Thames towns of Marlow and Henley you don't see much of the river, just southbound on the 800 in Henley and both ways on the 850 in Henley.

If you are going both ways on a concessionary pass you could always go one way and back the other!

 

[Megafuss]

I think its completely unacceptable by Stagecoach East to be honest.

It is effectively a 80% cut as they only need 2 buses to do the revised hourly X5 as opposed to the full route every half hour with 10 buses every 30 mins. I can't see how they can justify that size of cut and still get government support.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think its completely unacceptable by Stagecoach East to be honest.

It is effectively a 80% cut as they only need 2 buses to do the revised hourly X5 as opposed to the full route every half hour with 10 buses every 30 mins. I can't see how they can justify that size of cut and still get government support.

Isn't the Government support just an elevated level of BSOG, so they only get it for mileage they run?

I was surprised by it, though. I guess they must have so many staff off that they can't resource it.

 

[Scotrail88]

Government has told operators to cut back so it is largely being driven by that request.
Other factors are impacting such as self isolation but the request to reduce non key routes has been given by government to reduce funding and the ability to travel easily

 

[Megafuss]

Isn't the Government support just an elevated level of BSOG, so they only get it for mileage they run?

I was surprised by it, though. I guess they must have so many staff off that they can't resource it.

Yes and no. The Covid payment received increases and decreases based on passenger numbers. The more people travelling the less you get, and the same applies in reverse.

As far as I am aware you still need to operate at least 80% of pre covid mileage on your o license to get the money which is why most companies I have seen are making modest changes (7/8 mins going to every 10 mins, 10 mins to every 12/15)

 

[Statto]

As ive said in the other thread, how about train Liverpool-Hemel Hempstead rather than to Milton Keynes, then bus
Carousel 1/1A Hemel-High Wycombe & Arriva 800/850 High Wycombe-Reading

the 1 is hourly Hemel-High Wycombe, timetable

https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_page_media/4122/Joint_One_Timetable_September_2020_V9_-_PRINT.pdf

3 buses an hour on the 800/850, timetable

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4516397/800-850-arriva-temporary-timetable-january-2021.pdf

This looks more straight forward than going through Aylesbury & Oxford

 

[gray1404]

Thank you so much. Much appreciated indeed.

It was via Aylesbury and High Wycombe (from MKC) I was considering, although via High Wycombe from Hemel Hempstead does look more straightforward (with an additional change of train required at MKC).

Are the bus connections any better from Watford Junction? (so train to Watford Junction then bus to Reading)

Thanks.

 

[Statto]

The main bus terminus is at Watford Junction station, although some start/terminate in the town centre

The Intalink Hertfordshire site for bus timetables & maps

Routes, timetables & maps

Routes, timetables and maps for Hertfordshire bus services.

www.intalink.org.uk

Watford has the advantage of most LNW Euston trains from Liverpool/Crewe stopping there too, that might be easier, but the 103 Watford-High Wycombe does not serve Watford Junction station, that starts in the town centre

https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/intalink/service/618fc574-fae9-48b7-bf85-f44edfcd8c57-timetable-20200830-1df1ae0c.pdf

Also another option from Watford is Greenline 724 Watford-Uxbridge, then Carousel 101 to 105 Uxbridge-High Wycombe, then to Reading, 724 calls at Watford Junction Station

101/102 timetable

https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_page_media/8608/Chiltern_Hundreds_-_101_102_-_Timetable_Leaflet_September_2020-WEB.pdf

103 timetable

https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_page_media/8473/Chiltern_Hundreds_-_103_-_Timetable_Leaflet_August_2020_WEB.pdf

104/105 timetable

https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_page_media/8608/Chiltern_Hundreds_-_104_105_-_Timetable_Leaflet_September_2020WEB.pdf

Also 724 timetable

https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/intalink/service/ec0597df-e2ad-429e-a5cb-047edabd9c4e-timetable-20210117-7966a7d0.pdf

 

[Bletchleyite]

Depending when this journey is planned, the X5 is being extended to run to Bicester for connections to Oxford from 31st:

East Covid19 Service Enhancements

www.stagecoachbus.com

timetable:

https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/East/JAN21/COVID/X5JAN31.pdf

 

[gray1404]

There are no direct Liverpool or Crewe to Watford Junction LNR/WMT services. A change at Milton Keynes Central is required. (I see there is the odd start /end of day exception to this.)

It sounds like Hemel Hempstead would be better over Watford Junction as the former has an hourly bus service to High Wycombe. Using the Green Line from Watford Junction would mean an additional change of bus down route.

Interesting the X5 will be extended to Bicester from the end of the month. Provided there are regular Bicester to Oxford services and the connection isn't excessive this could be viable.

 

[Statto]

I thought the 724 premium fares was Uxbridge-Heathrow, seems it's Watford-Heathrow.

Hemel is a better connection for High Wycombe as the bus calls at the station, were as in Watford it's the town centre, so unless you fancy the walk, it's a 5 minute bus ride from Watford Junction to Watford Town Centre, plenty of buses including TFL 142/258.