Issue nr 292
Thursday March 14th, 2024
Past Issues : https://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/
From the Editor
A busy week from contributors with over 250 pictures this week.
The electric buses for Oxford (OBC and SCO) are now in process of delivery.
There muc to read and again some items are held over to the next issue.
In this issue
Food for thought from Chris Huntingford
History in Marlow by Martin Dowling
Golders Green Vintage Bus Running Day
A40 SOUHBOUND CLOSED WITH A DIVERSION THROUGH FOREST HILL
The background to the electrics in Oxford
The demise of the Oxford Bus Volvo Hybrids
Gavin's weekly visit to Aylesbury
Andy Millwood visited High Wycombe at the end of February
Readers Write - Giles Woodforde, Neil Gow and Brian Butler
Buses in the Landscape
Coach visitors to Oxford
Fleet News & Development
Numerous pictures for our operators
Full details for the new Electroliners for Oxford Bus
70 x green and blue deckers
A visit to Langston & Tasker
Buses on loan to SC West for the Cheltenham Races
London Operations
Some interesting memories
Food for thought from Chris Huntingford
“Anyone interested in bus-related transport issues in Oxford and the Chilterns will enjoy this website. But, as ever with the web, most people will be in reactive mode, looking at the news stories.
I sometimes wonder if we can influence changes more strongly. Can we imagine looking at this website five years ahead of now and identifying some parts readers have influenced directly?
We currently have unique opportunities for positive change with new routes (or old routes returning), massive electrification and the two-pound scheme.
What I’m getting at is suppose each of us decided to promote the network in, say, five ways in the months ahead. Stories in local papers, delivering timetables, encouraging friends to use the bus, tidying up rural bus shelters, etc.
Could we influence passenger growth further,
resulting in more routes and frequency enhancement?”
Well, any reader have thoughts to add? Ed.
History in Marlow by Martin Dowling
I came across this article
from the Bucks Free Press regarding historical bus services in Marlow.
Some of the buses shown in the photo are commented on in detail, including the
open top decker used for the summer service along the Thames and a single decker
on route 28. I seem to remember the open top buses running through to
Reading (the article mentions a service to Maidenhead) - is that correct?
https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/24174876.marlow-nostalgia-thames-valley-buses-marlow-common/
It's a strange sight to see buses crossing Marlow
Bridge. I think that that single decker is a Thames Valley Bedford OB.
I'm sure that your readers who are more familiar with the area and knowledgeable
of the TV fleet will be able to identify the buses and their locations.
Golders Green Vintage Bus Running Day
On Sunday 10th
March another Bus Running Day was held this time centered on Golders Green. The
whole day was marred by heavy rain as can be seen by the pictures.
Six routes
were operated by a variety of buses.
All pictures
are either by myself or Nigel Eadon-Clarke
Route 13 Swiss
Cottage-Golders Green-Finchley
RT 1702 and RM 848 at Swiss Cottage, RML 887 and RML 2660 at Golders Green.
Route 43 Muswell Hill-Archway-Islington (Angel)
RM 2208 and RML 903 at Muswell Hill
(Pictures courtesy of Nigel Eadon-Clarke)
Route 102 Muswell Hill-Pennine Drive
RT 4275 (NEC), RTW 75 and RML 900 all at Golders Green
Route 210 Muswell Hill-Golders Green
Red RF 486 is joined by Green RFs 673 and 636 which recalled the time when the
green version ran on the route.
Also LS 174 and LS 444 from the Leyland National
era. All pictures at Golders Green.
Route 240 Golders Green-Mill Hill
Metrobuses M 394 (NEC) and M 1014 at Golders Green
Route 603 Muswell Hill-Swiss Cottage
Ex-Stagecoach 18453 operated the 603 route and is shown at Swiss Cottage
Representing the modern era Metroline VMSL 2853 appeared late in the day running
as an extra on Route 102. (NEC)
Overall a very enjoyable day spoilt by the heavy rain.
Not long to wait until the next running day which is based at Barking on Routes
62 and 145 on Saturday 23rd March.
Another contribution from this event
Joel Forey
This last Sunday I attended the Golders Green and Muswell Hill running day in London, here are some photos I took there. It was a very rainy day and I missed a couple of the buses but it was a good day nonetheless.
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Many of the same buses in different locations. Ed.
A40 SOUHBOUND CLOSED
WITH A DIVERSION THROUGH FOREST HILL
reported by Richard Sharman
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24163288.oxford-police-scene-crash-headington-roundabout/
An accident at Headington
Roundabout last week lead to the rare sight of all coach and bus services being
diverted off the A40 Southbound and through the rural roads of Forest Hill,
before rejoining the A40 at Wheatley, for a short period of time.
This road is only normally served by the 108 service,
operated by an Oxford Bus Company Sprinter.
The background to the electrics in Oxford
by Richard Sharman
In December 2021 Oxfordshire County Council undertook a
detailed review of the Oxfordshire bus network with the major operators, which
included Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach. This followed a clause in the
National Bus Strategy that encouraged local authorities to work with its
operators to try and remove as much ‘wasteful duplication’ in the network as
government spending on buses increased - both through recovery funding and the
Bus Service Improvement Plan.
After extensive negotiations involving Oxford Bus
Company and Stagecoach, the network review concluded and was introduced from
Sunday 2nd January 2022. This lead to a number of major changes to operating
areas for both companies after decades of service, of particular note was
Stagecoach coming off the jointly operated 3 service to Rose Hill and Oxford Bus
Company withdrawing its 500 P&R service and no longer operating on the jointly
operated Kidlington routes.
Oxford Bus Company's gap in its timeline serving
Kidlington was to be short lived though, as Stagecoach announced that it would
no longer continue to operate its 700 hospital link service from June 2023, as
it was not commercially viable.
Oxfordshire County Council stepped in to secure the
service with a funding package until 30th of August 2024, with Oxford Bus
Company winning a tendering process, and began serving Kidlington once again
from the 3rd of July 2023.
From 26th of November 2023 Oxford Bus Company worked
with Oxfordshire County Council to introduce a new weekend service on the
city700, operating up to every hour on Saturdays and Sundays, extending the
direct link from Kidlington and Thornhill to Headington and the Hospitals to 7
days a week.
Wrightbus Gemini 2-bodied Volvo B5LHs have been the mainstay of the allocation since July 2023, but recent weeks have seen the 700 see an increasing number of Electroliners in use, making them the first fully electric buses to serve Kidlington.
GB Kite 495
awaits its turn for its next evening journey to Wolvercote whilst facing the
brand new hotel and restaurant called The Store Oxford, located on the original
Boswell & Co department store. After months of scaffolding making for a tight
turn for buses, the new business will open in May of this year.
The ever growing number of new electric buses entering service with Oxford Bus Company is starting to have a real impact on the street's of the city.
GB Kite 495 and Electroliner 735 provide a zero-emissions
service along the Woodstock Road out of Oxford with evening departures of the 6
and 300.
Vehicle type training has commenced on the new ADL
Enviro400EV model this week for Horspath Road and outstation drivers (who may
occasionally drive them when doing overtime).
80002 is seen having just returned from a type training
trip,
a second Enviro400EV has now been delivered and is believed to be
registered SK24XRE, which would make it 80004.
Three items of interest are:
These vehicles are fitted with advertising frames to the
sides and rear
Vehicles feature London style orange vinyls above the
door and destination to show they are electric
These are the first new vehicles in many years to
actually sport Alexander Dennis badging
The demise of the Oxford Bus Volvo Hybrids
As of March 12th this B5s were still listed on www.bustimes.org but will doubtless be gone by the end of the week. Ed.
The dates last in service are of interest. Ed.
Jack Cooper
357 being taken to Manchester passing Hinksey
Turn on March 11th.
Stephen Owen from Wigan
The many colours of the Bee Network, the ex Oxford’s are getting ready for the 24th March, Stagecoach have been checking them over, and fitting “Bee Network” stickers and new fleet numbers, and the two advert buses removed the adverts.
The many colours of the Bee Network, just arrived is OE62ZRL been lifted to put blocks under front wheels to remove the towing arm from the bus chassis
and OE62ZRO which arrived last Friday.
then the line of ready to go vehicles.
There are 11 now at Wigan, and they getting them ready for 24th March
Christian Wylie
OE62ZSF is the latest Oxford B5LH to arrive for Bee Network
Gavin's weekly visit to Aylesbury
LK55LKH in Aylesbury on March 7th and when with Metroline on March 13th 2012.
Marshalls SN57GNP in Pearson Close and when with
Lothian, picture courtesy of Paul Bateson.
Andy Millwood visited High Wycombe at the end of February
I recently visited High Wycombe after a long absence
and spotted some interesting buses 0n Feb 27th .hope
they will be of interest.
Feb 27th at
High Wycombe. This one is an ex -Plymouth Enviro. on the Carousel fleet YY64TXH
is 533
but carries 2203 presumably
the Plymouth fleet number.
Giles Woodforde on the livery for new electrics in Oxford
I cannot be the only reader who has noticed - judging by
your pics of the first Stagecoach electric to arrive in Oxford last week, the
livery is very similar to OBC's colour scheme. Not a coincidence surely?
I would be very interested to hear Mr Marion's comments
on whether the two companies have worked together on this.
Took my first ride on a 700 last week (bus 722). Very
quiet and smooth - the driver reported that he was finding it "a dream" to
drive.
Yes, we worked together on this. This has been a
project led by the county council to try to ensure that buses in Oxford have a
more consistent livery going forward, as the council is not a fan of the route
branding we have employed in
recent years.
Oxford and Stagecoach meet up at Oxford Station on March 13th from James
Lambeth.
David Beynon provides this picture of 80002 at the station on March
4th.
Neil Gow
Some notes on a couple of the vehicles you featured in
OCBP 291.
The ex Stagecoach Devon Dart WA56 FKR is with
Southern Coach Lines of Beenham, Berkshire (better known as Aldermaston Coach
Lines) and was indeed on Aylesbury-Amersham emergency rail replacements. It was
being driven by fellow enthusiast Paul Green who posted his own picture of it on
Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/peagreenbus/53572426934.
Aldermaston acquired it from an operator in Yorkshire
last autumn.
The E200 Dart LX58LJA pictured at Watlington is with
an operator in our patch – Citywise of High Wycombe, who have been steadily
expanding recently and have depots in London Road, at Binders Yard and Cadmore
End. This is the first bus in their previously all coach/minibus fleet and was
expected to be for rail replacement work but it seems they have a school
contract they can use it on too. It arrived from Axe Valley in January this year
and its original Irish registration was 09-D-3733.
The two B7TLs PA54ACX and PA04CYK pictured at
Watlington are with Vale Travel rather than Star Travel. They came from Nibs
Buses of Wickford and are still in their
former owner’s livery.
Thank you for the picture of the Sprinters’ Irizar i6
NG65 NHF. This acquisition hadn’t been reported to the PSV Circle before now,
but I have found out it was previously registered YS65ATK with Woods Coaches of
Leicester and was reregistered in October last year which was probably around
the time it arrived here.
Brian Butler
I don't know whether any of your other contributors have notified you of this but I drove along Gatehouse Road in Aylesbury this afternoon. This was the first time I have been along there for a few weeks but the ever expanding Redline now have a parking area adjacent to this section of Aylesbury's inner ring road. Being a Saturday afternoon the most prominent vehicles were deckers that would normally be used on schools work.
Andrew Simmonds
Red Rose ex Red Line Optare Solo in Aldbury last Thursday,
March 7th.
Coach visitors to Oxfordshire
David Beynon
Exactly what you would expect from Cheltenham! The white coach in the background
One
from Redbridge and one from Beaumont Street. The Mainline appears to have
suffered
George Candelin
A selection of visiting coaches held over from issue 291.
James Freeman from Kassam
Cheltenham team coach on March 9th.
Henshawe's BV20HMK at the stadium on March
9th.
Fleet News and developments
About Us – Coach hire Newbury Basingstoke Reading Hampshire Berkshire (aldermastoncoachlines.co.uk)
Jack Cooper
Aldermaston GO02OMC in Bracknell on March
2nd
Aldermaston SN04ACJ in Bracknell on March
2nd.
Gavin Francis
Arriva 2979 has re-entered service after many months off the road seen on March
6th.
7212 and 7215 sen at Swiss Cottage working the 757 on March 10th.
George Candelin
5469 with an X8 in Oxford on March 5th.
Jack Cooper
5462 is seen in Westgate, Oxford on March 10th working an X8.
Nigel Peach
I went past Arriva's Cressex depot on 29th February and have only now sorted out the pictures I took .
3027 (now seems to be withdrawn after two more double deckers arrived from
Southern Counties) with 4749 (withdrawn months ago) and 2982.
3580 (withdrawn months ago)
4212 and 3580
2952, 3025 and 2979 in the workshops. 2979 is the only Versa at Wycombe in the
old livery, and has only recently been reinstated after months off the
road.
Arriva Click Watford AC007.
Picture from Jack Cooper taken in Reading.
23607 by Reading Station on March 2nd.
I asked Luke about the new electric fleet their ranges and other details and here are his responses:
Luke Marion
Your comment is correct for the double deck
vehicles, however thus far we have not established the likely limits of
the single deck vehicles. These are now starting to see some usage on
services such as the 11X and 6, and yesterday we used 491 on the BV1 for
the first time for a small part of the day to begin gathering
consumption data. There are still a few post delivery defects on 491
which Wrightbus are attending to which are limiting our ability to use
the bus for an all day period currently, as we are required to return
the bus to depot to enable the Wrightbus engineers to attend to the
defects.
The body numbers for the new deckers:
|
AV188 |
724 |
|
AV189 |
725 |
|
AV190 |
726 |
|
AV191 |
727 |
|
AV192 |
728 |
|
AV193 |
729 |
|
AV194 |
730 |
|
AV195 |
731 |
|
AV196 |
732 |
|
AV197 |
733 |
|
AV198 |
734 |
|
AV199 |
735 |
|
AV200 |
736 |
|
AV201 |
737 |
|
AV202 |
738 |
|
AV203 |
739 |
|
AV204 |
740 |
|
AV205 |
741 |
|
AV206 |
742 |
|
AV207 |
743 |
|
AV208 |
744 |
|
AV209 |
745 |
|
AV210 |
746 |
|
AV211 |
747 |
|
AV212 |
748 |
|
AV213 |
749 |
|
AV214 |
750 |
|
AV215 |
751 |
|
AV216 |
752 |
|
AV217 |
753 |
|
AV218 |
754 |
|
AV219 |
755 |
|
AV220 |
756 |
|
AV221 |
757 |
|
AV222 |
758 |
|
AV223 |
759 |
|
AV224 |
760 |
|
AV225 |
761 |
|
AV226 |
762 |
|
AV227 |
763 |
|
AV228 |
764 |
|
AV229 |
765 |
|
AV230 |
766 |
|
AV231 |
767 |
|
AV232 |
768 |
|
AV233 |
769 |
|
AV234 |
770 |
|
AV235 |
771 |
|
AV236 |
772 |
|
AV237 |
773 |
|
AV238 |
774 |
|
AV239 |
775 |
|
AV240 |
776 |
|
AV241 |
777 |
|
AV242 |
778 |
|
AV243 |
779 |
|
AV244 |
780 |
|
AV245 |
781 |
|
AV246 |
782 |
|
AV247 |
783 |
|
AV248 |
784 |
|
AV249 |
785 |
|
AV250 |
786 |
|
AV251 |
787 |
|
AV252 |
788 |
|
AV253 |
789 |
|
AV254 |
790 |
|
AV255 |
791 |
We have in total coming
70 x green and blue deckers
21 x Brookes deckers
1 x BV single
4 x green and blue singles
8 x CSS open tops
Luke Marion
531-534 are staying with us at present and we are
planning these into the repaint programme, though this will likely not
be until later in the year due to the need to carry out more urgent
repaints and rebranding in advance of this.
Nigel Peach
977, 980 and 534 in Carousel's yard on 12th March.
OmniDekka 244 resting before doing some schools journeys, 12th March.
978 and 401 in the overflow yard, 12th March, with preserved Citaro CB53 BUS in
the corner.
Alan Hollis
738 ready for delivery to Oxford Bus from
Grayson's on March 8th.
Alan Whitaker
Now that the Volvo B5LHs have all but disappeared from the Iffley Road routes, I thought I would try to capture some of the wide variety of buses that have taken their place for the time being. These were all taken in the space of an hour last week.
All taken on March 8th in Iffley Road.
Gavin Francis
67 outside Chris's Cafe at Studley Green driver training on March 6th.
George Candelin
37 and 39 in Oxford on March 5th.
201 in Oxford on March 5th.
Old and new in Oxford on March 5th.
Jack Cooper
Not always on their branded routes on March 10th.
Again the new Electroliners are now appearing working other routes as seen
on March 10th.
Joel Forey
Green Electrics in Oxford. Sorry there's
so many from me this week!
Oxford will soon be a green and blue city.
Straying off their branded routes on March 9th.
The new buses are seeing additional buses arrive each week. Above 10th
and 11th March with 739 being the highest number so far.
846 and 842 keep the Citaro flag flying on March 13th.
CSS 191 seen in Oxford's New Road on March 10th.
Charles Powell
All four ex Brookes HEVs are now fully branded
for the 99 by Pulhams - March 10th.
Andrew Simmonds
226 and 611 at Didcot Parkway on March 3rd.
Jack Cooper
226 seen in Reading with an X40 on March 2nd.
George Candelin
905 in Oxford on March 5th.
925 in Oxford on March 5th.
Langston & Tasker
Andrew Simmonds
A few photos from Langston & Tasker premises at Steeple Claydon
Gavin Francis
..... a few pictures taken in London on March 10th
This National Express coach BF21CZU was topical on
Sunday, March 10th with its destination display.
Variety but all Levante III's at Swiss
Cottage on Sunday, March 10th.
George Candelin
224 BX65WCT in Oxford's Gloucester Green on March
5th.
357 BV72XGU working the 210 into Oxford on
March 5th.
including Courtney, Newbury & District &
Thames Valley
LONDON BOUND READING BUSES TO DOUBLE
Reading Buses announce today they are doubling
the number of buses on The London Line 702 and Flightline 703 routes.
The changes which take effect on March 25 will
see up to four buses an hour between Windsor, Slough and Langley during
the morning and evening peaks.
The operator has also undertaken a thorough
review of The London Line 702 and Flightline 703 timetables and will
introduce additional resources designed to help ensure services run on
time.
Reading Buses
Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams said today:
“We are delighted to confirm that the new timetables are in response to
growing customer numbers and are being introduced in time for the busy
Easter holidays.“The new timetables will include extra
buses in the morning from London towards Windsor and Legoland, as well
as additional journeys back in the evening.”
There will also be additional buses in the
morning towards London as well as back in the evening for commuters.
From March 25 services will depart London up to every 30 minutes at busy
times.
Flightline 703 will see an increase in the
number of journeys that run from Bracknell to Heathrow. Morning and
evening from March 25 buses will run up to every 30 minutes along the
entire route and continue every 30 minutes between Slough and Heathrow
throughout the day.
There will also be more early morning journeys
on Flightline 703 between midnight and 3.00 am to offer a
round-the-clock service between Heathrow and Slough.
And to help improve punctuality, journeys on
both services are changing with some departing earlier or later. The new
timetables, which will be available to download shortly, are on the
Reading Buses journey planner now.
In addition to the timetable changes, Reading
Buses have introduced three additional brand new high specification
buses for Flightline 703 to supplement vehicles introduced last year to
support the continued growth of the route.
These vehicles feature spacious and comfortable seating, USB and wireless charging as well as dedicated luggage space.
Jack Cooper in Reading and Bracknell
Seen in Reading on March 2nd.
Bracknell on March 2nd.
Andrew Simmonds
Red Rose ex Red Line Optare Solo MX58KYT working the 397 in Aldbury on
March 7th.
Loans for Cheltenham Races by Dave & Deric
Here is a list of loans for Cheltenham Races compiled
from internal Stagecoach info and our observations:
Stagecoach East: 10792, 10793, 10870.
Stagecoach East Midlands: 11692, 11693, 11694,11695.
11691 is also supposed to be here, but we haven’t seen it yet.
Stagecoach London: 10181, 10185, 10343, 11032, 11311,
12318, 19739, 19768, 19797, 19872.
Stagecoach Manchester: 11717, 11719, 11720, 11721,
11729.
Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire: 11621.
Stagecoach Midlands: 11651, 11664.
Stagecoach North East: 11771, 11773, 11775, 11777,
11778, 11779.
Stagecoach North West: 11149, 11151.
Stagecoach Oxford: 11239, 11249. Technically, we suppose
these are internal Stagecoach West loans and could also vary from day to day!
Stagecoach South: 10436, 10767, 10894.
Stagecoach South East: 11605, 15265, 15283.
Stagecoach South West: 10459, 10495, 15319.
Stagecoach Yorkshire: 11648, 11649.
Andy Churchill
The next two EV arrivals to Oxford today 11/03/24 are ( SK24XRD and SK24XRE ) as presumably to be 80003 and 80004
80004 (SK24XRD) in the back workshop and without its Electro branding as yet
Stagecoach is first to take next-gen Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV - routeone (route-one.net)
| SK24XRC | AD E40EV SFD211AR1PGD10004 | AD N453/2 | H??/??F | 3/2024 | Thames Transit | 80002 | Intended as SK73CZF | |
| SK24XRD | AD E40EV SFD211AR1PGD10006 | AD N453/3 | H??/??F | 3/2024 | Thames Transit | 80003 | Intended as SK73CZG | |
| SK24XRE | AD E40EV SFD211AR1PGD10008 | AD N453/4 | H??/??F | 3/2024 | Thames Transit | 80004 | Intended as SK73CZH |
George Candelin
11761 has appeared at last, not a great photo as snapped through the
window of a Park&Ride
Jack Cooper
10674 working the ! on March 10th.
Richard Sharman
11748
is seen operating an evening S7 towards Witney prior
to the timetable change which occurred on 10th of March,
meaning journeys after
2000hrs will no longer serve Woodstock,
which has lead to many disappointed
customers voicing their disappointment on social media posts relating to the
changes.
It effectively means any
passengers still wishing to travel to or from Woodstock face a long walk to or
from Bladon after 2000hrs.
Details of the changes and the
reason are listed here:
George Candelin
10880 working an X5 from Gloucester Green on March 5th.
Jack Cooper
50423 and 50436 looking very clean in a wet
Oxford on March 10th.
Gavin Francis
Seen at Swiss Cottage on Sunday, March 10th was what appeared to be
a Stagecoach Van Hool which they used to use on Megabus services.
With
registration G22MCL it does in fact belong to McLeans.
Previously registered
YJ18AXS it was with D. J. Coaches of Gravesend who used it for ski tours to
Europe.
It is seen in St. Giles, Oxford on 17th August 2019.
London operations
Andrew Webb
Sol de Janeiro claim to have captured the beauty of Brazil in a jar with skin
and body care products which are advertised
on Arriva's LT537 as it turns from
Tottenham Court Road into Oxford Street early on 9 March.
Returning to the capital's buses is fashion brand Cos, their latest campaign is
seen on Go Ahead's LT857 as it approaches Bank on the same day.
Also reappearing is Peroni beer, with Arriva's LT981 seen waiting time at Marble
Arch before heading off along route 137 on 9 March.
LT 606 on the 27 advertising Galaxy S24 Ultra mobile phone, picture outside
Marylebone Registry office on March 10th.
LT 790 on the 189 advertising Gucci Ancora, on Baker
Street.
Working the 8 at Shoreditch High Street, LT255 seen on March 4th.
Where time stood still by Paul Coley
I came across these a few years ago and, as Carousel now operate down the road
from Little Chalfont once an hour, assumed they may have been updated.
Seems not…one on each side of the road.
When times were better, I would argue, and a little more colourful with The Shires livery and Chiltern Rover, as shown on the flags.
Nick Ross in Cheshire
for your Editor a tug on my memory strings - my old home area !
D & G (North West Road Car) Enviro 200 YX63 GG arrives at Chelford on route 88 from
Altrincham to Macclesfield on a grey March 8th 2024