Carousel Buses have been expanding their network in Berks & Bucks recently. In this adventure, I sample some of their new routes and new vehicles in the Slough & Maidenhead areas, venturing out to Windsor, Reading and High Wycombe.

Carousel have produced a range of leaflets to promote their services. The examples shown here include the 458 (new route from 4th January 2026), the 850 (latest timetable dated 31st August 2025) and a booklet of all the company’s routes in Maidenhead (including changes from 4th January). Note the “Carousel Country” branding for the 458 & 850 and “Borough Bus” for Maidenhead.

*Each leaflet contains full timetables, route maps and details of fares for the route(s) concerned.*

DAY 1

Background

Carousel Buses was founded as an independent bus company in 2000, based in High Wycombe and initially expanded by winning Bucks County Council contracts. It has been known for running secondhand vehicles over the years from various sources, including ex London types such as Metrobuses, WVLs and Citaros. Purchased by the Go Ahead Group in 2012, it became part of the group’s Oxford Bus Company operation.

Since then, it has continued to grow, in particular during 2024 when it took over various Arriva routes in the Wycombe area after the latter company closed down its operations in the town.

In 2025, it picked up a number of contracts in the Maidenhead & Windsor area on behalf of the local council, this time largely at the expense of Thames Valley Buses, part of Reading Transport. A fleet of new Enviro200 MMCs has been obtained to service these latest routes, which were the main target of my rides on this journey.

Route 458: Uxbridge - Slough

I began Day 1 of my rides at Uxbridge Station, start point of one of Carousel’s latest new routes, the 458 (Uxbridge - Slough), which began on 4th January 2026. The choice of this number is no accident, as this was one of the traditional routes linking these towns for many decades in the London Transport Country Bus and LCBS eras and beyond. The new service is essentially a competitive route to First Bus 3 between the same points, although the 458 omits the Iver Heath section of the 3 and follows a different intermediate route between Langley and Slough. The 458 runs every 30 mins M-S daytimes, a similar frequency to the 3, although there is currently no evening and Sunday service, unlike the 3 which runs hourly at these times. Departure times from Uxbridge are evenly spread for much of the day, with the 3 departing at 00 & 30 past the hour and the 458 at 15 & 45. However, this is not always the case in M-F peaks, nor from the other end of the route at Slough, where the 458 mostly leaves at 00 & 30 and the 3 at 05 & 35 past the hour.

I was in time to catch the 08.40 departure on the 458 from Uxbridge, but the bus was delayed on its inbound trip from Slough and arrived at 08.50, running direct to the pick up stop for its next trip without stand time. The vehicle was a Mercedes Benz Citaro in “Carousel Country” two tone red livery with signwriting stating “frequent connections across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and beyond”. Bearing fleet no 80888, this was one of a trio out on the route which had come to Carousel via Pulhams Coaches of Gloucestershire, another Go Ahead Group company. The interior was to high specification, with faux leather high backed seating, wood effect flooring, USB ports and info screens with visual and verbal “Next Stop” announcements. Leaflets with the timetable and map for the service were available from a rack by the driver’s cab.

I was able to appreciate all of these features in solitude, as I was the only passenger boarding at Uxbridge, although I suspect many potential users had taken the number 3 which had departed 5 mins or so earlier! We made our way through the outskirts of the town, over the narrow Grand Union Canal bridge, then along Slough Road into the countryside, picking up speed and crossing the M25 Motorway. At the next cross-roads, we swung left into Bangors Lane North, through more open country down to Iver, where we turned right into the village, finally picking up another passenger who was bound for Slough. Beyond Iver, another short country stretch before arriving into Langley under the low bridge by the station, which restricts this route to single deckers. (Back in the mid 1970s, the 458 was one of the final two with London Country to enjoy a regular RF allocation, which were long associated with the service).

Temporary lights were in place at Langley Harrow Market, but didn’t delay us on this trip. We then parted company with the 3, turning right into Trelawney Avenue, where we picked up our third and final passenger of the journey. After navigating the various estate roads, we emerged onto the main London Road for the final stretch into Slough, running in parallel with TfL Route 81 and First Bus routes including the 3 and 7. Despite our 10 min late departure from Uxbridge, easy traffic and lack of stopping for passengers meant we arrived at the Wellington St terminus more or less on time, after a run of a touch over 30 mins.

***Carousel operate the 458 with Mercedes Benz Citaros. Fleet no 80888 demonstrates whilst on stand in Wellington Street Slough next to grim architecture after my ride aboard from Uxbridge.***

*This vehicle has a high spec interior and is one of a small batch that came to Carousel from fellow Go Ahead company Pulhams Coaches of Gloucestershire.*

Route 15: Slough - Maidenhead

As I had around a 45 min wait for my next bus, there was time to visit the adjacent Slough Library, a huge monolith spread over several floors with small booths depicting various aspects of the history of the town, including Slough Trading Estate, which famously developed in the 1920s and 1930s and brought mass employment to the area. It was subsequently the place where Gerry Anderson produced his well-known puppet series in the 1960s & 70s, of which “Thunderbirds” is probably the most famous. The Trading Estate has enjoyed more recent notoriety as the supposed location of “The Office” in the BBC TV mockumentary of that name, featuring Ricky Gervais as David Brent. Slough was also the subject of a famous John Betjeman poem in 1937 which began: “Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough, It isn’t fit for humans now”, which was ringing through my head as I observed some of the brutish architecture!

Incidentally, the relatively new Slough Bus Station, closed in 2022 following a fire, was still boarded up behind hoardings with no sign of any rebuilding taking place, discussions between the council and insurers seemingly being extremely protracted.

Back to the rides and I boarded new short Enviro200 MMC 80529 on Route 15 in Wellington St, one of a pair in “Carousel Country” red livery, which are intended for Route 127 but interwork onto other services in the Maidenhead area. This service was extended from Taplow to Maidenhead as part of the changes from 4th January 2026, providing an alternative service between Slough & Maidenhead to the 704 operated by Thames Valley, albeit via a more circuitous routeing. An Hourly service operates on the 15 during M-S daytimes only.

Half a dozen or so on board as we left Slough, making our way south over the “old road” to Eton, famous for its College and bustling with students in traditional uniform including black tailcoat and shirt with stiff white collar. We suffered a short delay in the narrow streets due to a lorry in front which was parked and unloading, but soon we were off again, looping around at the bridge into Windsor, now closed to traffic and open to pedestrians only. After a tantalising view of Windsor Castle opposite, we continued around the circuit back to Eton College, before turning off along the narrow road to Eton Wick, having to pause frequently for vehicles coming the other way. Reasonably well used, with passengers on and off in ones and twos at various stops on this section.

After crossing the cattle grid at the end of Eton Wick village, we crossed a patch of flat open country at fast pace, before climbing up and around to rejoin the main A4 Bath Road at Taplow. It was then a straight run west into Maidenhead, with a good view of the famous Brunel railway viaduct over the Thames, its two wide central arches being very innovative when built in the 1830s, boasting the flattest yet widest brick arches in the world at the time. Crossing the smaller road bridge over the river, we arrived into the town centre, dropping off passengers and terminating at Frascati Way after an interesting 40 min run.

Maidenhead Town Service 3

On arrival in Maidenhead, I turned my attention to the town services. These were recast in April 2025 with financing from the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, resulting in many routes passing from former operator Thames Valley to Carousel. New Enviro200 MMC buses have subsequently entered service, mostly in a new purple “Borough Bus” livery, although some are in the red “Country” colours and interwork from out of town routes.

I began with a spin on Route 3 aboard Enviro200 MMC 80530, a red example. This service operates out to Cox Green, west of the town centre, on an hourly frequency daily including early evenings, although with a later start and earlier finish on Sundays. On departure from Frascati Way, as with most routes, the bus looped through the town centre serving the stops for the main shopping centre and library, before calling at the station. With a few on board, we made our way via the Boyn Hill area to St Mark’s Hospital, served by a number of routes. We then continued via the outer suburbs over estate roads to the terminal loop at Cox Green, Farmers Way. A brief hesitation, before completing the loop and returning to town. Reasonable usage.

We arrived back at Frascati Way after a 40 min round trip. A fault with all the town services is that although they serve the central stops on the outbound journey, due to the one way system, on arrival they terminate at Frascati Way, which is on the edge of the town centre. I did observe some inbound passengers remaining on buses during their breaks to continue on their next outbound journeys to reach the central stops.

Maidenhead Town service 4

My next route was another that passed from Thames Valley to Carousel in 2025, the 4 out to Boulters Lock, to the east of town. Oddly, despite most of the routes gaining improved hours of operation, this one lost its Sunday service and now runs hourly during M-S daytimes only. There is a new 4A variant serving the Summerleaze area of town which consists of just 3 journeys a day.

This time, I had one of the new Enviro200 MMC vehicles in purple “Borough Bus” livery, 80526. As with the 3, some journeys interwork with out of town routes 15 and 127, this bus having arrived on the former service. Again, a few on board as we served the central stops before proceeding north along Cookham Road, before turning right through some narrow estate roads, eventually arriving at Boulters Lock adjacent to the River Thames. This is a pleasant spot in good weather with a pub and scenic walks beside the river.

Another short hesitation before we continued along the terminal loop which is quite countrified initially with some big houses, before turning back towards town via the estate section served previously. A straight 35 min run back to Frascati Way.

***There are another 4 new short Enviro200 MMCs with Carousel in purple “Borough Bus” livery for Maidenhead Town Services. 80526 prepares for a trip to Boulters Lock on Route 4 which I took.***

*This service was another to transfer from Thames Valley to Carousel in April 2025. Both companies have some vehicles in this livery which refers to the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.*

Maidenhead Town Service 8

After grabbing some food, I returned to the local routes with a ride on the 8 out to Pinkneys Green, north west of town. This was a new service from 4th January 2026, covering one leg of the former cross-town Route 9. However, despite the split, the two routes still interwork across the town centre. A 30 min frequency operates M-S daytimes, Hourly eves & Suns.

I had another purple Enviro200 MMC, 80525, for the trip , which does the usual central loop before proceeding out to St Mark’s Hospital, although via a more direct route than the 3 I had ridden earlier. A lengthy terminal loop is served in the Halifax Road area along narrow estate roads, during which we exchanged passengers before continuing back to town. A short 30 min run.

Maidenhead Town Service 9

At Frascati Way, the bus changed to a number 9, so I continued on the same vehicle with the same driver on its next trip. The 9 operates on the same frequencies as the 8 mentioned above.

This time, after the central loop, we made our way along the Cookham Road to North Town, covering a section which was previously served by out of town Route 37 to High Wycombe, which has been rerouted via the hospital instead. At the unusually named Furze Platt (“furze” meaning gorse and “platt” meaning flat land or plot), which is now a suburb of Maidenhead, a new terminal loop has been introduced along Cranbrook Drive via a housing area, back to the main road and then the reverse of the outward route back into town. Just 25 mins were taken as we made rapid progress in order to keep to the schedule!

***Fellow Enviro200 MMC 80525 demonstrates the offside view of the “Borough Bus” livery in Frascati Way Maidenhead, before a trip to Halifax Road on Town Service 8.***

This route is a new one, replacing most of the southern part of the 9 with the January 2026 changes, which itself received a revised routeing in the Furze Platt area on its remaining section. The two routes interwork, changing over in the Town Centre.

Maidenhead Town Service 7A

To complete my tour of the principal town services, I was left with the 7A to Cox Green. This is unusual, in that the plain 7 remains with Thames Valley, covering much of the same ground but with a different terminal loop at the outer end. Whilst the 7 runs every 30 mins, Hourly eves & Suns, the 7A variant runs every 30 mins on M-F daytimes only with no weekend service.

This time, I had long Enviro200 MMC 80540 in red livery and we picked up a reasonable number in town before proceeding south along Shoppenhangers Road. We deviated briefly from the direct route in a loop to serve the Larchfield area over narrow roads, before returning to the main drag. At Cox Green, we continued clockwise around the circuit, exchanging passengers without a break, then returning to town in the reverse direction to the outward trip. A touch under 30 mins for the entire trip.

Incidentally, most of the services seem very tightly timed, a fact that a couple of the drivers confirmed when chatting to them. Whilst I travelled off-peak, very few routes have any extra time scheduled at peak times, so it is hard to see how timetables can be adhered to effectively, especially when traffic is heavy.

Map of the revised Carousel bus routes in Maidenhead from January 2026. This is included in a timetable booklet for the new network which was available on buses when I travelled, the cover of which was illustrated earlier.

*It is a shame that the opportunity was not taken to liaise with Thames Valley and provide a combined booklet for the area including the routes of both companies.*

Route 15: Maidenhead - Slough

To return to Slough, I had the choice of returning on the 15, which I had arrived on, or taking the direct Thames Valley 704 service. The latter runs approximately hourly M-S daytimes to Slough & Heathrow Airport, but would have meant a long wait, so I opted for the 15 instead, which departed first. With all the improvements to services in Maidenhead, it is odd that the main road A4 corridor to Slough has seen a reduction in service - at one time, First operated a 30 min frequency M-S daytimes, Hourly eves & Suns on the direct route - now left with just an hourly M-S daytime 704.

For my return run on the 15, I had purple Enviro200 MMC 80526 again, the one I had ridden earlier on the 4. Back out via Taplow, Eton Wick and Eton to Slough, arriving at Wellington St 35 mins later. A well used trip.

Route 458: Slough - Uxbridge

To end my first day, I completed my circuit with a return run on the “new” 458. The 15.30 departure arrived on time and was the same Citaro as on my outward trip, 80888. However, unlike my earlier run, this trip was reasonably well filled throughout and we left Slough on time with a good load. Traffic was busier at this time of day though and we struggled a bit to negotiate the queues due the roadworks at Langley Harrow Market.

However, once past this, we sped up and made better time through Iver and over the country section back to Uxbridge. We terminated in Belmont Road after a run of just over 40 mins, some 7 mins late on the schedule, although by not taking stand time, the driver was able to leave punctually on his next trip. I hope that the 458 succeeds, although some better spread of service intervals with First’s 3 might be sensible.

First Bus have reduced their operations in the Slough area in recent times as Thames Valley and Carousel have expanded. Not travelled on during my trip, but Enviro400 MMC fleet no 34377 was spotted on Route 7 (Britwell - Heathrow Terminal 5) at Slough Wellington Street.

Note the “Beeline” name on the front of the bus, which was the predecessor to First in the area for many years and has been revived as a branding. This particular vehicle was formerly with First Aberdeen, others of the type here being ex First Glasgow.

DAY 2

Route 127: Maidenhead - Reading

The second day of my adventure began back at Maidenhead, although this time I resolved to tackle the longer out of town services. I began with the 127 to Reading, which reintroduced a regular hourly M-S daytime bus service between the two towns back in April 2025. Initially, Carousel only ran the M-F element, with Thames Valley on Sats, but this was extended to the full M-S timetable from 4th Jan 2026.

I boarded Enviro200 MMC 80530 at Frascati Way on the 09.10 departure, the same bus that I had ridden on the 3 the day before. A small number of passengers, although a few were short riders who alighted at the hospital or elsewhere on the outskirts of town. Eventually, we broke free of Maidenhead and made good speed along the main Bath Road through Littlewick Green and Knowl Hill. There seemed to be a large number of pubs on this section with bus stops, which were referred to on the bus interior screens as “The Red Lion PH”, for example, with the verbal announcements pronouncing it “Pee Aitch” rather than "Public House”!

After Hare Hatch “Horse & Groom”, we turned off the A4 to deviate via Twyford. This is a pleasant small town, with a station on the Elizabeth Line / Great Western Main Line, where the branch line to Henley-on-Thames commences. In addition to me, there were 3 other passengers who had travelled from Maidenhead, although 1 alighted and 1 more boarded at Twyford Waitrose.

Continuing out of Twyford, we returned via the Old Bath Road to the New Bath Road to Sonning, famous for its over 1 mile long deep cutting on the GW Main Line, which was hand-dug by navvies and took 2 years to complete, opening in 1840. We crossed the cutting in Butts Hill Road on the section of route which diverts via Woodley, where we again dropped 1 passenger and picked 1 up. After this, we became virtually a suburban bus with a few short-riders joining us at Shepherds Hill for the ride into Reading. We arrived at Friar Street in Central Reading after a 55 min journey, interesting to see that there were 2 others apart from me that rode the full route, although the service needs more than this to survive. Hopefully usage will grow as awareness increases.

***New Enviro200 MMC 80530 (again!) is one of the duo obtained for Route 127 (Maidenhead - Reading) and is seen on arrival at Friar Street Reading after my ride from Maidenhead.***

*The offside view of the smart “Carousel Country” branding is apparent.*

Route 850: Reading - High Wycombe

After fortification with hot coffee, my next route was the long 850 from Reading to High Wycombe. This service was previously operated by Arriva until they pulled out of the Wycombe area in 2024. Carousel came to the rescue and picked up many of the pieces, including taking over the 850. A 30 min frequency operates throughout the route daily during daytimes, dropping to hourly M-S late eves and early Sun mornings. Extra “shorts” operate between Wycombe & Henley on M-F daytimes, giving a 15 min service over this section.

A mix of double and single deckers operates on the route, comprising mainly Enviro400s and Volvo B7RLEs. Whilst I would have preferred a double decker, bustimes.org showed the next one was not due in Reading for 2 hours, so I opted for the first departure, formed of former National Express Dundee Volvo B7RLE fleet no 80827 in red livery. The interior had posters extolling the virtues of the main towns served en route but retained its “Nat Ex” grey based moquette on the seats.

A reasonable number boarded with me and soon we were making our way back out of Reading, although since my arrival, temporary lights had been set up on the narrow single lane section east of Cemetery Junction, which we took a few minutes to navigate. We essentially followed the reverse of my inbound route on the 127, although the 850 runs direct via London Road rather than taking the deviation through Woodley. Another view of the impressive cutting at Sonning, before arriving back into Twyford.

After serving the town centre, we parted company with the 127, turning north through the countryside to Wargrave, a historic and picturesque village on the River Thames, with many listed buildings. Beyond this, we continued on a pretty but twisting section of route above but alongside the Thames through woodland. We soon arrived into the town of Henley-on-Thames, the approximate half way point of the route and famous for its annual regatta on the river. Today though, the river was high almost to bursting due to recent heavy rains and there were few boats to be seen as we crossed the bridge into the town.

Passengers on and off before we continued along the narrow one-way system and out of town again along Marlow Road. The route continues to follow the Thames via the villages of Mill End, Medmenham and Danesfield, over another scenic stretch with trees, open fields and lots of sheep grazing. Arriving in Marlow, famous for its suspension bridge over the Thames, we paused briefly to deposit and pick up further passengers, continuing through the little Georgian market town and onto the final section to High Wycombe.

There is a steep climb out of Marlow up to Marlow Bottom along Wycombe Road, with the pleasant countryside views continuing. After all this, it was a bit of a culture shock to suddenly reach the M40 roundabout and re-enter suburban sprawl at Cressex on the outskirts of High Wycombe. From here, it was literally downhill all the way into the town centre, terminating at the Bus Station after a decent run of 1h25m, arriving slightly early on the schedule despite the small delay on leaving Reading. A great ride, well worth it!

Carousel took over Route 850 (Reading - High Wycombe) from Arriva when the latter closed down their operations in the area back in July 2024. The single deck element of the current allocation is represented by Volvo B7RLE fleet no 80827 at Reading Friar Street before my ride on it to Wycombe.

*This vehicle is one of a batch of the type formerly with National Express Dundee that are now with Carousel.*

***Although I didn’t travel on one, the double deck element on the 850 comprises miscellaneous Enviro400s from various sources.***
***80213 is seen at High Wycombe Bus Station on a short working to Henley-on-Thames.***

*This bus was transferred to Carousel from fellow Oxford Bus subsidiary Thames Travel, whose green and blue scheme it still bears.*

Route 37: High Wycombe - Windsor

After a break to obtain supplies, I continued my rides from High Wycombe Bus Station with a trip on the lengthy Route 37. This was another that Carousel picked up from Arriva in 2024 and initially ran via Bourne End to Maidenhead. However, in April 2025, it was extended through to Windsor via Bray, taking over from Thames Valley on this corridor. An hourly service operates daily, although with a later start and earlier finish on Sundays. Typical rolling stock comprises Enviro200 MMCs, but this time much longer versions than on the 127 and Maidenhead Town Services. I had fleet no 80453, in red “Carousel Country” livery, with just a handful of other takers joining me when I boarded.

We picked up a couple more in town before making our way along the main London Road, before turning off and continuing through the suburban streets of Loudwater and Wooburn Green to Bourne End Station, on the Marlow branch line, where the train is known affectionately as the “Marlow Donkey”. After a scheduled “hesitation” of a few minutes, built into the schedule, we continued out of the built up area and into the country towards Cookham, where we crossed the narrow bridge over the Thames into the pleasant village, which also has a station on the branch. Another country stretch, before arriving into the outskirts of Maidenhead at Furze Platt. The bus now deviates off the main road to serve the hospital, before arriving into Maidenhead Town Centre at the Frascati Way stand.

Another short pause to await time, then we resumed our progress around the town centre and out towards Bray, where we left the main road to serve the picturesque village, with its little church, pub and half timbered cottages. Sitting on the Thames, the large exclusive houses on the river between Bray and Maidenhead are known as “Millionaires’ Row” and are home to the rich and famous. No such celebrities on our bus though, as we passed on into the countryside once again, serving another small village, Fifield, before regaining surburbia at Dedworth, on the outskirts of Windsor. Some short-riders joined for the local trip into Windsor itself, with the bus taking a long loop to serve King Edward VII Hospital, finally terminating at the Parish Church, just before the entrance to Windsor Castle. A 1h45m trip, but even longer for the driver, as he changed the destination screens to continue on his next trip on Route 10 through to Staines, departing less than 5 mins later!

***Long Enviro200 MMC fleet no 80452 calls at Market Street Maidenhead on Route 37 whilst en route from Windsor to High Wycombe. I rode fellow vehicle 80453 in the opposite direction.***

The 4 vehicles in this batch were transferred from neighbouring Go Ahead Oxford Bus subsidiary Thames Travel and are now in “Carousel Country” livery. The additional length when compared with the shorter version illustrated previously is apparent.

Thames Valley 16: Windsor - Maidenhead

A 25 min break in Windsor allowed a brief stroll to view the exterior of Windsor Castle, still a royal palace, where I have visited the areas open to the public previously. There was also time for a quick look at Windsor & Eton Central Station opposite, now largely taken up with retail outlets, the former “Royalty & Empire” exhibition located there having closed in the late 1990s. Just one truncated platform remains in use for branch trains to/from Slough at this once large railway terminus.

For my final bus ride, my only Thames Valley route of the trip, the 16, provided a quick route back to my start point at Maidenhead. This is a new route which commenced with the April 2025 changes, operating via a more direct routeing than the 37. An hourly frequency applies daily during daytimes, with a later start and earlier finish on Sundays. Long Enviro200 MMCs are the staple diet, mine being fleet no 694, which drew passengers in double digits at the first pick up stop opposite Windsor Castle.

Back out of town to Dedworth again, before proceeding along the main road calling at Braywick Village, Holyport Turn and Braywick Park, arriving at Maidenhead Frascati Way after just 30 mins, some 10 mins quicker than the more circuitous 37 between the two towns.

A fitting end to my travels in the area, but this trip did remind me of earlier visits many years ago, when this was “Beeline” territory and I rode their yellow Leyland Nationals on many of the local routes, with “Busy Bee” minibuses on Maidenhead Town Services, now long gone. Today, the area has probably the best bus service it has had for many decades, with financing from the Borough Council, so it is to be hoped that locals make use of the improved transport facilities now on offer and patronage continues to grow!

Watton

Carousing with Carousel

Developments along the Thames

Transiting through Croydon in transition