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Issue 237
(OBP-450)
Sunday 12th August
2007
next update week ending 24th
August 2007
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Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS
PAGE " Archives from October 2002
Visit
the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Please note that any
comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way
constitute
any official points of view from the bus companies
mentioned, or indeed any other official body.
As a news page we
reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of
view.
If
you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will advise of any mid-week
news please let me know
malcolmhc@aol.com
To see the pictures
full size just click on the thumbnail
A note regarding photographs which show drivers faces.
Following one complaint from a bus driver in Oxford but considering the
fact that the photographs are taken of the vehicle not any person,
I will blank out the face to avoid any discomfort to the individual concerned.
If you are the person involved send me an email to have this action taken.
I am sure people will realise that to ask everyone in advance of publication,
whose face may appear in a picture is wholly impractical in both time and
practice.
I am sorry to have to mention such a matter but we now live in a world of human
rights and political correctness which must be considered.
Editorial
I must first
apologise for the lack of the News Page last weekend. This was due to two
reasons, one being the fact that I was working on both Saturday and Sunday and
second, the fact that I was rather tired to complete a page on my next day off.
However this week, in spite of everything I have been able to publish a
combi9ned page.
There has been
quite a lot happening over the past two weeks, including some re-registrations,
diversions due to roadworks and news of expected deliveries to one of our local
operators.
I must record
my appreciation to all those of you whop have made contributions both large and
small. Thank you.
St
Clements closed
Last week saw the start of more roadworks, this
time those planned for The Plain and St Clements. This has meant the closure of
the road from the junction towards Jeune Street and the resultant diversion of
services which use that road. Services have been affected in different ways.
I would like to acknowledge the
Oxford Bus
Company web site in quoting their news release on what
is happening.
St. Clements will
be closed to all traffic between Penson’s Gardens and Caroline
Street. During this period all outbound buses will divert via
Jeune Street to St. Clements.
All inbound buses will divert via Morrell Avenue and Union
Street to the Cowley Road.
To avoid confusion use of the bus stops in St. Clements will be
suspended throughout the period of the closure.
From 18th August until 3rd September
St. Clements will be closed to all traffic between the Plain
roundabout and Dawson Street. During this period, between 7am
and 7pm outbound buses will divert via Jeune Street to St.
Clements and beyond. Between 7pm and 7am Dawson Street will be
used instead.
All inbound buses will divert via Morrell Avenue and Union
Street to the Cowley Road.
Alternative bus stop arrangements throughout the closure
period
Route |
Destination |
Alternative Stop |
City 8 |
Headington/Barton |
Stop
at foot of Headington Hill |
City 9 |
Headington/Risinghurst |
Stop
at foot of Headington Hill |
City
13/X13 |
Marston/Northway/JR Hosp |
Stop
in Marston Road beyond Cherwell Road |
City
15 |
Wood
Farm |
Stop
at foot of Morrell Avenue |
Park &
Ride 400 |
Headington/Thornhill |
Stop
at foot of Headington Hill |
Oxford
espress |
London |
Stop
at foot of Headington Hill |
All
services |
Oxford
city centre |
Stop
at foot of Morrell Avenue (towards Wood Farm) OR
Cowley Road opp. Dawson Street |
Customers
on city 15 travelling towards Oxford should be advised
that the stops in St Clements and Morrell Avenue/Union
Street will be suspended during the works. |
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|
Stagecoach
have also posted information on how their services are
affected.
9th
August to 2nd September: St. Clements Closure
Note this phase will now start four days earlier
than planned on 9th August
-
9th - 17th August leaving the City Centre buses
and coaches on routes 7C, N15, U1 and the Oxford
Tube will be diverted via Cowley Road and Jeune
Street.
-
18th August - 3rd September buses and coaches on
routes 7C, N15, U1 and the Oxford Tube will be
diverted via Cowley Road and Jeune Street
(between 7am and 7pm) or Dawson Street (between
7pm and 7am).
-
Towards the City Centre buses on routes 7C and
U1 will divert via Morrell Avenue, Union Street
and Cowley Road. The Oxford Tube will divert via
Headley Way, Marston Ferry Road and Banbury
Road.
-
Buses will be unable to serve either of the bus
stops in St. Clements for the duration of this
phase. The nearest stop will be at the bottom of
Headington Hill.
3rd September – 20th September: Cowley
Road Closure
-
Leaving the City Centre buses on routes 1, 12,
10, U5 and U10 will divert via Iffley Road and
Temple Street.
-
Buses towards the City Centre will divert via
Marston Street and Iffley Road.
20th September – 27th September: Iffley
Road Closure
-
Only buses on route 3 towards Rose Hill will be
affected, with a diversion via Cowley Road and
Temple Street.
Regarding other operators, local buses have
followed the diversions outlined above whilst National Express has
rerouted their 737 service via Headley Way, Marston Ferry Road, Banbury Road and
St Giles inbound and in reverse outbound, for the duration of the abo0ve works.
This has meant the suspension of the stops at Queens Lane and St. Clements for
the next few weeks.
This has made for some interesting pictures
and Gavin Francis has been busy with his camera.
As one can see
from the pictures above a great deal of work is taking place but it will be very
worthwhile when it is all completed. Those who have travelled into Oxford in
recent months will have been aware of how rough the road surfaces have become.
Gavin took
several pictures of buses using the Jeune Street diversion and in the case of
Oxford Tube this meant some very tight turns.
I look forward
to further photographs of diverted buses over the next few weeks.
Out of our
area
Ben Morroll
recently visited Glasgow and sent some pictures of coaches on various working
which may be of interest to readers.
I must say I do
think the old Tubes look very smart, especially since they are presently being
withdrawn.
Motts and
an old Tube
Hedley Shanks of Motts Travel writes
"Thought
you might like this photo with an Oxford connection. The coach in question was
here for about three weeks during late June early July for air conditioning
repairs.
It was en
route to Sussex Coachlines from Volvo Coach Sales at Loughborough. We are main
agents for Sutrak Air-cond, but these Oxford Tube MAN’s have a quite different
set up, not Sutrak, but we sorted it after waiting to source spare parts."
Picture by
Hedley Shanks of Motts
Legal
lettering for the new owner - picture by Gavin Francis
Interestingly the coach appeared in Oxford on
one occasion.
MK Metro again - a question?
I have read that Arriva-MK Metro are
operating a National Express commuter service from Mk to the City using 07
registered Levantes. Has anyone got any further information and maybe pictures?
Reading
update
John Marsh has sent some interesting pictures
from Reading and Newbury.
Buses in
the countryside by John Horsman
John writes
"I
live in Kingham and read your update every week. Very interesting and greatly
appreciated it is too!
If any of the attached are of interest, please feel free to publish them. I
think it was December 2005 when Stagecoach took over the Woodstock to Charlbury
section of route from Worth’s as the 20A
These were taken on 28th June 2007.
Charlbury 20A
Near Combe
20A
Heading
towards Stonesfield 20A
Charlbury 20A
The 20A perhaps provides one of those few remaining opportunities to see double
decks in truly rural surroundings!! - I wonder how long that opportunity will
remain? It was fortunate that in December 2005 the 20A seemed to be a cost
effective solution in providing a service over a section previously served by
Worths.
I am glad some of the pictures may be of some use and many thanks again for a
site which I (and doubtless many others!) find invaluable."
Buses in cityscape and landscape
John Marsh sent an interesting shot taken on the south coast.
When the M40 is blocked or heavily congested the Oxford Tube and other coach
services can be seen on the old A40.
Model News
Guy writes to send a picture of the latest
offering on the model front related to Oxford.
Amersham & District Running day
September 30th
2007 - a date for your diary
http://www.amershammotorbussociety.co.uk/
The final
Amersham & District Running Day for 2007 is as follows:
Sun 30 September 2007 - 19th Amersham Running Day based on
Amersham but commemorating the 30th anniversary of the closure of HE Garage
(30/09/1977) so there will be a reconstruction of certain routes in the High
Wycombe area.
Malcolm Crowe - Sunday
12th August 2007
Visit the
"OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002 to date
News of the local
companies – 12th August
2007
with
MK Metro
Matt Robinson sent a newsy report and seems to have
resolved the problems with his camera. Matt writes
"Sorry
I've not been able to pen anything much this week, bus news has been rather thin
on the ground. Coupled with that I was attending a wedding all day Saturday so I
didn't even get to go out on the buses.
I wondered if you were aware that the Wycombe - Reading services 328/329 are
imminently to be renumbered to 800/850? Route 317 to Maidenhead will become 37.
In Aylesbury route X15 to Milton Keynes via Leighton Buzzard is to be withdrawn
in mid-September. Two new routes will replace the X15:Line 100 - Limited stop
service which will serve Aylesbury - Bierton -
Wingrave - Wing then run direct (via the new Stoke Hammond bypass) to Bletchley
and Milton Keynes.
Line 150 will operate along the current X15 route between Aylesbury and Leighton
Buzzard. Only peak journeys (rumoured to be 4 per day) will operate through to
Milton Keynes, focusing on the Open University.
The Leighton Buzzard - Milton Keynes link will be maintained by the through
journeys on route 70 from Luton & Dunstable - but operating via Linslade and
Stoke Hammond instead of Heath & Reach. The decision by Arriva to alter these
services has caused public outcry in Heath & Reach - where passengers will lose
their hourly service. This article can be viewed here
http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/news?articleid=3071044
(note the
left-hand drive Arriva bus pictured - if I'd have known I've got loads of Arriva
bus pictures in Leighton Buzzard I could have sent in !!).
New bus stops have been going up around Luton over the last week in preparation
for the changes in September. The previously redundant posts along Limbury Road
now all have Arriva flags on, and route 9A showing. The bus stops along the
modified 8 route have also been updated.
The timetable for the new 70 route (Luton Airport - Milton Keynes via Dunstable
and Leighton Buzzard) has appeared on the Traveline Southeast web site
http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk/se/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=set&line=13070&sup=&project=y07&contentFilter=TIMINGPOINTS&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false
Note the last departure from MK is 20.20 Mondays to Saturdays. This compares
favourably with the current times of 18.30 on the X66 and 20.00 on the X15
(18.50 on Saturdays). This route will be entirely single-deck operated as it
will pass under the 13' Hitchin Road bridge on its way into Luton Station.
When I stopped in Aylesbury on Saturday I saw Volvo Olympian 5145 (N45 JPP)
laying over in the bus station. It has gained the interurban livery which is
currently unbranded.
I managed to
get this rather gloomy photo of this ex-Luton and Wycombe bus.
I also
captured these two photos of Luton's 55-reg Scanias working different routes on
a Saturday.
3604 on the 31 and 3608 on the 24 (it later worked the last X66 back from Milton
Keynes and thankfully the destination problem it was showing in my photo earlier
was resolved). For most of the day two 27-branded Scanias had been on the X66
(one of which was 3618). Volvo Olympian 5140 (N46 JPP) was on the 38 in their
absence. These buses working other routes on Saturdays appears to have become
more common in the last few weeks.
Further to
earlier notes Dart 3178 (P178SRO) going from Aylesbury to Milton Keynes, it's
now gone back to Aylesbury in exchange for East Lancs Spryte-bodied Dart 3172
(P672OPP). 3172 was working MK route 14 on Saturday afternoon."
Mike Penn also
sent a contribution for this week's page saying
"Following
a visit to Milton Keynes on Friday here are photographs of the three Arriva
liveried buses currently running for MK Metro, 3104 (L400BUS)
3119 (M719 OMJ) and 3178 (P178 SRO). 3104 is ex Lucketts of Watford and is the
twin of 3103 that you featured at High Wycombe last week. I don't know which
are loans and which are permanent acquisitions but 3119 has been at Milton
Keynes since December and now has MK Metro legal lettering."
Gavin Francis
writes "I
see LOTS news for today says Arriva Wycombe should receive two new Optare Versas
for 38/9 and two new solos for 40 later in the month."
James Smith also notes the repainting of 5145
at Aylesbury and he sent two nice pictures of Aylesbury based buses."
Thinking about
the new Solos due for the 40, the Dart MPDs are still busy on the route. 3213 is
seen passing through Studley Green on the A40.
It is also noticed that on a Tuesday morning a larger capacity bus is used on
the 09:30 service to Thame where there is a market day.
Roger Spence sent a nice collection of pictures
taken a few days ago. He says "Another
batch for you to use etc. as you see fit.
First, a few from Hemel last week.
27 July: Scania 3161 on the 500
31 July:
Speaking of confusing passengers - I think Aylesbury's Olympian 5102 was on
route 500, despite the aging dot-matrix display showing "3 RABANS LANE"! The
paper in the windscreen probably does say '500', but it looked more like '600'
to me
3 August:
This time the 500 is being worked by one of the more usual vehicles, Trident
5432 with appropriate branding
Then on to
Wycombe Depot, all taken today, 5 August.
Volvo 3841 and DAF 4429
Dart 3363,
not so long ago at Harlow, now apparently on training duties
Gavin Francis
caught up with 3127 in Frogmoor, High Wycombe.
Picture by
Gavin Francis.
I caught up
with 5153 back in service at High Wycombe at long last. I think these buses will
be used on the 800/850 to Reading.
Heyfordian
John
Hammond writes to say "Managed a better
picture of the relief Dart which was working the 67 from Wantage to Swindon last
week."
Pictures
from various sources arrived on my desk last week. These were first of the
Enviro 200 which has received local bus livery by Ed Webster.
and secondly of the one which has
not so far received livery, this one by Gavin Francis.
Motts
Hedley Shanks writes
"Another snippet of info is that we have sold M971 CVG, the old M1 bus, has been
sold to Tangston & Tasker of Steeple Claydon on the 24th July."
The new tri-axle Levantes went
into service at mid day last Friday, well the first six did. I hope to get some
in service pictures for the next issue.
Stephen Le Bras writes
"The
3 axle Levantes have lost the "t" in their fleet number, becoming plain SC3,7
etc. A few more have appeared by yesterday- SC9 is FJ07DVP, I noted "DVR" which
is 10, SC11 is FJ07BYV and 3 is FJ07DVH. It was not all new as some of the V
continue as well as D304.
SC11 -13 are FN07 BYV/W/X. All seen on the A6 today, Saturday."."
Picture
by Gavin Francis.
I was delighted to receive pictures of ex London
coaches from Ant Poulton which are now with Fountain coaches on the IOW. Ant
writes "As
promised I've managed to get some pics of SV trainer coach R809NUD, now
reregistered as ODL447. These are courtesy and copyright of Gav Rowney who is an
employee of SV, so can you make sure he gets full credit please. A little plug
for his mostly SV Fotopic website - http://www.iwbuses.fotopic.net/
- probably wouldn't go amiss either!!"
Pictures by
Gav Rowney.
Gavin Francis caught up with another one,
this time with Damory, which was parked up in Oxpens.
I understand that coach 17 has now
gained training livery and is in service as a trainer.
As mentioned before the new coaches have regained their booked OXF
registrations.
However somewhere along the way 83, which was CB has now gained CF prefix
letters.oxford on 95.2FM for up to date
information.
Picture by Gavin Francis.
The
company web site has been update regarding fleet details etc and these may be
found at the following link.
http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/company4.shtml
Anthony Poulton sent these pictures of N E Tridents under preparation at Hants &
Dorset Trim last week.
Ant writes
"Snapped
this freshly released TridentNK51 UCK poking out of Hants & Dorset Paint during
the past week, only took the shot because it was so similar to SBL's Red Rocket
livery, but having now looked on the O&CBP have realised its one for Oxford!!
Couple more
shots at Barton Park of ex GANE Tridents freshly outshopped from H&D Paint and
also freshly vinyled up. Guess these are already up in Oxford now as the shots
were taken at about eight thirty this morning and both had gone when I left work
at about half six tonight."
Red Rose,
Aylesbury
Steve Bunce writes
"Just
in case you haven't received a comparative pair of pictures I have sent you two
shots of FKJ, first as OV and then as OU. OV was first then it was changed to
OU."
Chris Carter sent this picture of our Brookes Trident in Torquay. A nice
colourful shot.
Gavin Francis caught up with 52644 on what is its regular working, the X6.
Chris Maxfield sent this picture of 22942 fresh back from repaint at Banbury on
29th July.
Another Chris Maxfield shot, this time of 20010 working the 233, which is most
unusual as a Solo is rostered for this working.
One of the M
A N buses has been given the latest livery and looks very smart indeed.
Picture by
Chris Maxfield
Picture by
Gavin Francis.
PHOTO CORNER
If you have a digital camera and wish to submit photos for
this page please send them to the me at
malcolmhc@aol.com
?
HISTORY IN PICTURES AND WORDS
If you have any pictures or historical memories and wish to submit
them for
this page please send them to the me at
malcolmhc@aol.com
Coming events, models and useful links
Britbus
A new casting
with a local flavour has been released by Britbus as a picture from Mark Lyons
shows. It is a nice model but as Mark says, a little pricey at £33.
A photo disc for your collection
This week I can bring details of a really super
new photo disc from Vics cliix. The disc contains pictures taken in the early
1970s by Vic Zealey and copies can be obtained through Malcolm Hyland's web site
http://www.cliix.co.uk.
Here are some samples of the 158 pictures on
this disc.
The quality is good and they are all at high resolution.
Oxford Bus
125 commemorative book
In last week's
issue I mentioned that Oxford Bus were publishing a book to commemorate the 125
years of public transport in Oxford. Thanks to Phil Ashworth I have had a review
copy and hereunder give my thoughts on this book.
The book is
well presented and includes a number of historical pictures of interest
including some I had not seen before. The modern pictures have received a nice
treatment reflecting the modern fleet against a background of typical Oxford
architecture. The Botley Road rail bridge gets a mention and a picture of an AEC
pre war decker which has done battle with said bridge and come off worse from
its encounter is included.
The book,
whilst rather small to reflect the 125 years in detail is nevertheless a must
for all who love Oxford, historians and enthusiasts alike.
Copies of the book can be bought from the Oxford Bus Company, Cowley House,
Watlington Rd, Oxford OX4 6GA. The cost is £5.95 including postage. Cheques
should be made payable to "Oxford Bus Company", it is also available in person
from the Oxford Bus Museum during normal opening hours.
Robin Clare
publishes Volume 15 DVD
Many of you
will be aware of the various volumes on DVD of buses in the U.K. from Robin
Clare.
His latest
offering gives a glimpse in some locations in this area, such as Oxford, Reading
and High Wycombe. I think it is well worth the £10 and it can be obtained from:
Robin Clare
Transport Video
74 Polruan Place, Fishermead,
Milton Keynes MK6 2EA
The full details of DVDs available
from Robin Clare may be found at his web site :-
http://www.robinclare.co.uk/
Citaro models
Dave Rogers
sent the following press release.
CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD
- PRESS RELEASE
Mercedes-Benz Citaro
- ukbus 5004
Arriva Manchester - ukbus 5007 Oxford Bus
Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to
release two brand new liveries on its well known Mercedes-Benz Citaro casting.
Both models have received significant, yet different, modifications to the
tooling in order to represent, as close to 100% accuracy as possible, the real
buses on the roads.
ukbus 5004 represents fleet number
Arriva North West’s 2851 (CX55 EAA). This Mercedes Citaro is one of three such
vehicles with dedicated route branding for service 700 and with the destination
set to Manchester. The model features a redesigned interior layout that includes
the reduced seating capacity and luggage racks.
Starting on 29th October 2005,
Arriva North West’s service 700 runs from Manchester’s Piccadilly Railway
Station to Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport. For the service, 3 Mercedes-Benz
Citaro buses were purchased and numbered 2851-3. They were painted in the same
style and colours as the Scania OmniCity buses that already operated between
John Lennon and Liverpool city centre.
ukbus 5007 represents fleet number 830
(X13 OXF) of Oxford Bus Company. 830 entered service in December 2003, to
upgrade the X3 & X13 Oxford – Abingdon services. The bus was painted in a new
and distinctive livery designed by Best Impressions.
ukbus 5007 features the smooth, curved
windscreen with the destination display set behind the windscreen glass rather
than the protruding destination found on the Park & Ride Citaros in the fleet.
This feature is one of the standard specifications on other Citaros that the
Go-Ahead Group has purchased.
Mercedes-Benz Citaro ukbus 5004 and 5007
models are each a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the
square-mounted, double-glazed windows and the livery application on which all
logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on both models is
the extensive portrayal of handrails. The headlight / indicator units at the
front and indicator / tail light units at the rear are made of individual
components to look more realistic.
The brand new single-door
Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts
Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby
Shop (HK) respectively.
The ukbus 5004 and 5007 models are limited
to 1700 pieces worldwide respectively.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would readers who respond to the
above please quote my site when doing so.
If you wish to be included on a mailing list where
I will advise of any mid week news & when
each News Page is posted
please let me know on malcolmhc@aol.com
Visit the "OXFORD BUS
PAGE" Archive 1998 -
2002
Visit the
"OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002 to date
Links
These are three most interesting
sites which I do recommend
Mike Penn's photo page with much from
Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire
Chris Lowe's
Photo page - mainly North West UK
John Marsh's pictures with a difference
The Oxford Bus Museum
Stagecoach Handbook for 2006
from British Bus Publishing
Arriva Handbook for 2006-2007
from British Bus Publishing
http://www.britishbuspublishing.co.uk/
The latest handbooks are now
on sale, the ever
popular Stagecoach edition now in its 13th
year. |
Links
Bus Services in Buckinghamshire
Bus services in
Oxfordshire
Where are the
Chilterns?
Visit this informative
site through the link below.
Visit
the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS
PAGE " Archives from October 2002