Issue nr 298
Thursday April 25th, 2024

Past Issues : https://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/ 

From the Editor

Much variety for readers in this issue which I am sure will provide interest for all.

The electric buses for Oxford (OBC and SCO) are now entering service including the first one from Stagecoach. Theirs has seen service on route 1 and 2.

Oxford Bus is seemingly exploring further routes with some app/earing on 35 road and the 3X and BV1 are now generally served by Kites.

In this issue

One man and electric buses to Wolvercote by Peter Edgar

East Grinstead Classic Bus Running Day, 21st April 2024

EVs meet at Oxford Train Station by pig & bob

UPDATE from Matt Cooper

Oxford - Our moment in time with Richard Sharman on April 24th

A day in Oxford looking at recent developments by Ryan Butler

More LBM - Brooklands by Adam Green

Adrian Small from Southampton

James Allum from County Durham

Andrew Simmonds and the new Central Beds Mojo ticket

Chris Huntingford regarding the Oxford Bus CountryZone

Fleet News and Developments

London Operations by Andrew Webb

Time comparison by Andrew Dyer

 

Electric experience by readers in Oxford

One man and electric buses to Wolvercote by Peter Edgar

Yesterday April 23rd I decided to try out some of the Electric vehicles operated by the Oxford Bus Company as having been photographing them over the last few weeks I thought it was about time.  

Living relatively close to Oxford and knowing the area fairly well somewhere I had never been to was Wolvercote, a small village to the north west of Oxford City. So I decided to ride the OBC route 6 to the village which has a 15 minute service. 

Sampling Oxford Bus Company Electrics on Route 6, Oxford City to Wolvercote Village.  

My journey out to Wolvercote was on one of the single deck Wright GB Kite Electroliner’s, first impression on boarding was how light and airy it was with nice leather covered seats which were extremely comfortable. 


495 at St Giles, Oxford.

The journey out through St Giles and along the Woodstock Road was quite impressive, particularly the acceleration away from stops, I enlightened this the that of a tube train pulling away. What was particularly noticeable was the lack of rattles, but then this was a relatively new vehicle. 


495 in Godstow Road


492 in Papermill Square, Wolvercote Village.

My return from Wolvercote was on a decker, a Wright StreetDeck Electroliner which was just as enjoyable and comfortable as my outward journey. 

 
744 in Wolvercote Village.

Overall I was impressed with the interior, smartness and ride of both vehicles and the friendliness of both drivers. 

As I said earlier I had never been to Wolvercote before but thought what a lovely little village it is and for those interested like myself has the added bonus of the main Oxford to Banbury railway line which is constantly busy and the Oxford Canal.

A different account of new buses in Oxford. Ed. 

East Grinstead Classic Bus Running Day, 21st April 2024
with pictures from Nigel Eadon-Clarke

 

The East Grinstead Bus Running Day is now in its 28th year and firmly embedded as an annual event in the town.

It attracts local residents & visitors alike and makes a great family day out, particularly for those with smaller children who are looking for something different to do.

A wide range of routes will be running from the High Street from 10am to 4.30pm.  The event is centred on the High Street which is closed to normal road traffic for the day; this is where people can meet, board one of the vintage buses, have a drink or snack in the local cafes or peruse the local shops.

The event will bring together over 25 classic buses representing types that used to operate in and around East Grinstead. During the day the buses will operate to regular timetables over many of the old routes that used to pass through East Grinstead. Destinations reached include Turners Hill, Crawley Down, Lingfield, Godstone, Oxted and Edenbridge. There are also tours up to the Ashdown Forest and of the town. The shorter journeys are well suited for smaller children whilst the longer ones are an opportunity to meander through the lanes and relive days gone by. Many of the routes happily terminate at country pubs for those who fancy a pie and a pint.

     
     
     
     
 

Regional but very interesting. Ed. 

EVs meet at Oxford Train Station by pig & bob

 
Oxford's 730, 741 and SC 80004 meet up on the day Stagecoach put an EV to work the 5. - April 24th, 

UPDATE from Matt Cooper

II hope that you are well. Here we are mid-April, 2024 is flying by! Attached are a couple of recent photos which I hope will be of interest. This week I will be posting you a copy of my latest Amberley Publishing book which covers operators in and around Northampton during the 90s and 00s. It does include some scenes around MK and there are a few Oxford connections!   (I will review this book  whe n received. Ed.)

I'm currently working on a couple of others one on East and West Midlands and the last one on IOW and South Coast Buses. The period is again 90s and 00s. If you have any pictures of IOW or south coast buses you would be able to let me use it would be greatly appreciated.  

Here is the material for the pics:/span>

Following Kevin Fuller's Southend pics from this week's OCBP, I caught Arriva Midlands/Shires Wright Eclipse-bodied Volvo B7RLE 3906 (GN07 AVC) laying over in MK on 4 April. Still wearing the 'heritage' Southend Transport livery, which suits it rather well, it originally carried 'Fastrack' colours for the guided bus way services operated by Arriva Kent Thameside. It's previous identity was 3816. 

 

the Kent 'Fastrack' routes mentioned with the Arriva picture aren't guided bus ways just rapid transit / priority bus routes. 

We have just returned from a long weekend in South Wales which was very enjoyable. We will certainly be visiting again in the near future. We called into the former Barry bus depot which is home to the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group vehicle collection (well, some of them!) Although no vehicles were running that day we received a very warm welcome at the depot and were shown around the vehicles contained within. A very colourful collection of numerous types from many eras of operation. Just the outside of the depot shown as the vehicles were quite tightly packed in preventing a good shot! The main railway line runs in a cutting to the right of the picture. 

 

Our ultimate destination was Cardigan, a place none of us had visited before and a very pleasant town. It is the home of established bus and coach operator Richards Brothers who operate a modern fleet. When I think of Iveco Daily minibuses those of Post-deregulation style spring to mind. However, evolution has produced this stylish bus badged as Iveco Daily llesbus I-city Max. RE23 LGL picks up a passenger in the centre of Cardigan on 13 April and appeared to work routes along narrower streets or to small outlying villages/hamlets.

At the same bus stop a timetable was displayed for the epic T5 Traws Cymru route between Haverfordwest and Aberystwyth, a journey of some 3 hours end to end. A smart and very modern assortment of vehicles work this service including electric vehicles on short workings. Not so positive was the notice about a recent service cut. I don't know the service in question but such cuts have been common lately across the UK.  

All in all a great short break and having read up on the bus operators of South Wales from around the time of deregulation onwards certainly an area which has seen a lot of changes and a lot of different liveries! /span>

As always, keep up the excellent work, a great read every week. I ll be in touch again very soon. 

Any readers who can assist with the photos mentioned above do please let me know. Ed. 

Oxford - Our moment in time with Richard Sharman on April 24th


Electroliner 727 is one of a number of new buses on service 5 on 24 April,
it is seen passing Carousel-liveried Volvo B7TL 941, carrying Thames Travel fleet names on service X2.

 
With the number of new buses entering service in Oxford on a weekly basis, w
e are no doubt at coming to an end of the older generation of Mercedes-Benz Citaro's and ADL Enviro400H's.

Oxford Bus Company's Citaro 841 was first registered on the 1st of December 2005, it is doubtful that it will still be in service when it officially reaches its 20th birthday, but at 19-years old, these buses have certainly served COMS well! You might even say it would be fitting for one of these to end up at the Oxford Bus Museum, rather than being scrapped.

 
At the moment, 751 is the highest numbered Electroliner in service and thus features another variation the side branding.

 
After a month off the road, Electroliner 723 finally returned to revenue earning service on the 20th of April. It is seen laying over on the 24th.


An Arriva Enviro400 either has a destination issue, or it means X7 in another language!


Thames Travel still has plenty of Scania power at the moment.
225 awaits a departure on the X2, and 914, with its Battenberg-style bumper, is seen arriving on an X32. 


It was never going to last forever, the advertising boards have now started to appear on the new fleet at Oxford Bus Company.
738 is seen on the 5, earning some additional revenue advertising a new film.

Stagecoach West are currently carrying out what seems to be a 'soft launch' of its new ADL Enviro400EV fleet.

     
80004 has so far operated eight trips on Kidlington services 2 and 2A on Friday the 19th of April,
then on Wednesday the 24th operated 14 trips on Blackbird Leys service 1.

It is worth remembering that these are the only Enviro400EV models currently in revenue earning service in the UK. They are smart looking buses, but lack the customised green interior and the shiny alloy wheels that COMS have fitted to their Electoliners.

The styling is rather different to the current Enviro400MMC range, and will take some getting used to, with its sloped front and angular rear. Of note is that these are the first ADL buses built for Stagecoach in decades, that actually wear the ADL badge on the front, and the model name etched into the rear glass.  They are also the first Stagecoach provincial fleet vehicles to carry stickers showing how they are powered, as all TfL vehicles do- this is for the benefit of the fire brigade.  

Hopefully, we should see more examples of the new fleet out and about soon.


Oxford Bus Group meet on St. Giles as Pulhams Jonckheere HDF661 departs the city down the Woodstock Road.

Rich always provides most interesting pictures and excellent text to go with them. Ed. 

A day in Oxford looking at recent developments by Ryan Butler

I was in Oxford yesterday (15/04/2024) in order to go on some of the new electric buses, and it was also a good excuse to test out my new phone's camera, so hopefully these photos are of a much better quality to those I've sent previously. 

Included are one photo of each different type, OBC Electroliner 739 (BJ73WYC), OBC Kite 492 (BJ73WXE) and Stagecoach E400EV 80004 (SK24XRE).

   


Trainer Citaro 965 (BD09ZWA)

 
I've also included photos of Olympus DOE15 (LX58CXE), Citaro 844 (FF55OXF)
DOE15 and 844 being a contrast to the electric buses as, to my knowledge, they are some of the oldest buses in operation in the City.
  

More LBM - Brooklands by Adam Green

     
    
     
       

I did not receive these pictures in time for the last issue but thought readers may appreciate some views from Adam. Ed.

Adrian Small from Southampton

Having recently retired I now have some time to get out photographing in my local area near Southampton. 

Herewith attached are some that may be of interest for your webpage. 

They are as follows: 


First Hants & Dorset 63683 (LV24 EXX), Wright GB Kite Electroliner on route E1 in Gosport


Morebus 1765 (HJ24 KAK) Alexander Dennis E40D on Route m2 in Bournemouth.


Bluestar 1749 (HJ24 KBK) Alexander Dennis E40D on route 2 in Southampton on its first day in service (22/4/24) 

James Allum from County Durham

Late for last weeks edition I know but Monday and yesterday I attended a training course in Seaham, County Durham and decided to take my camera. With the following results I hope your readers enjoy these shots, including a rather choppy looking sea with the high winds we have had up here!!

Also to add some shots from my arrival in Durham, including what seems to look like a Wrightbus convention between Arriva and Go North East! The Streetlite is a recent transfer from Faverdale (Darlington) to Durham.

     

Andrew Simmonds and the new Central Beds Mojo ticket. 

Slightly outside the area although valid to Aylesbury and Hemel is the new Central Beds Mojo ticket. 

https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/mojo 

Seems expensive compared with Intalink Explorer and with the £ 2 bus fare you will need to travel on seven buses to make it pay. 

Chris Huntingford regarding the Oxford Bus CountryZone

“I would just like to draw the attention of your readers to the latest route map (below) of the “CountryZone” by the Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel and Pulhams. We now have an incredible network across South Oxfordshire and beyond, a testament to the hard work and innovation of those companies. All available for just two pounds per trip.”


The map is larger than usual to allow you to see it clearly. 

Jack Cooper


Go Ahead LT856 in Regent-Street on April 13th.

A classic Regent Street view. Ed.  

      Coach visitors to Oxfordshire     

David Beynon

 
A couple of coach pictures taken on the 17th in St Giles.

 &    Fleet News and developments   

Jack Cooper


Arriva 5462 with an X8 in St Aldates on April 20th.


Arriva 7207 with a 757 service in Victoria on April 13th.



Luke Marion

Last weekend 514, 520 and 521 were transferred to Carousel and 512 and 513 were returned back to OBC for the ST2 service.

Next week should see the return of 609 for service 102 from Wycombe to Heathrow.

Alfie Guinea

   
Thames Travel 248 YN55NFG Seen on hire to Carousel Buses working route 41 to Amersham, 18/04/2024 at Great Kingshill

pignbob

   
514 started life at Carousel and has now returned and works the 275 as seen on April 22nd.

Jack Cooper


37 turns off St Aldates as it heads towards Gloucester Green on April 20th.

     
Some working the right road and others not, 607, 654, 655 and 670 on April 20th.


683 is seen working 3 road on April 20th.

     
Brookes EVs busy at work on April 19th and 20th.

   
736, 738 and 740 seen on April 19th.

     
734, 737,739 and 742 all on April 20th.


903 heading for Abingdon on April 20th.

Lewis Anthony


495 passes Carfax with an 11 X working on April 18th.


514 in Frideswide Square with 3X working on April 18th.


732 near Carfax with a 300 service on April 18th.

Richard Sharman


744 on its third day in service

724 and 737 are seen in the evening sun as they catch each other up heading for Redbridge on the 300. This image illustrates the different branding applied to the batch. 

 

pignbob

     
495 seen working the 3X on April 19th.

   
Back from High Wycombe 511 is seen working 15 road on April 22nd.

   
Also back from High Wycombe 512 is seen working the ST2 on April 22nd.

   
751 working 5 road on April 21st. 

Vikki Lee

 
751 works the 700 when just in service at Kidlington on April 20th.

Jack Cooper


CSS 192 seen in Oxford's New Road on April 19th.

Charles Powell 


Former Marchants YX22OHV now painted and re registered HH22BUS.
The other one is away being painted and I’m not sure what the reg will be.

 

Jack Cooper

 
606 and 623 in St Aldates on April 20th.

Jack Cooper


NEx 245 working the A1 in Victoria on April 13th.


Lucketts BV19XRJ working the 160 in Victoria on April 13th.


Edwards BV66WPJ with service 403 in Victoria on April 13th.

 

Jack Cooper


Still awaiting full branding BV73MTF is seen in Oxford on April 20th.  

Andy Churchill

Electric E400EV 80001 has had a registration change and is now registered SK24XRB ( ex SK73CZE) and the first EV to be used in service today 19/04/24 is 80004 on route 2 (Oxford -Kidlington).

The remaining E400H Hybrids still at Oxford are 12002/12008/12010 as 12012 has now been withdrawn.

David Beynon


80004 noted in service this morning, April 19th.

Frazer Peddle

 
Last night's duty with 80004 seen above.


I saw this one in the yard before I finished 36096 at Horspath Road depot on April 19th.

Jack Cooper

 
10676 working the 1 and 15933 the 10 in St Aldates on April 20th.


Happy memories for the Editor, 15966 in New Road on April 19th.


Seagulls to Blackbird Leys, 15991 working the 1 on April 20th.

Jack Cooper

   
50429, 50442, 50452 and 50454 all in Victoria on Apr 13th.


50434 at the top of New Road heading for London on April 19th.

 
50431 and 50443turning off St. Aldates on April 20th.

     London operations    

Andrew Webb

Two new campaigns this week. 


LT854 flaunts its freshly squeezed 'Innocent Juices' advert as it passes Highbury and Islington station on 20 April. 

LT764 has dropped onto the capital's streets with an advert for 'The Tortured Poets Department', the latest album from Taylor Swift - will there be a surprise second edition of the advert as well? 


It is seen in Chancery Lane on the same day.

   

Andrew Dyer

What a brilliant pair of pictures from Grahame Wareham of 968 and 494 in Godstow Road in the last issue, 297.

"The Queens" as these deckers were known, i think because they were the first 30ft long deckers in the COMS fleet, gave sterling service with the company. Grahame will correct me if I've got things wrong, but Trade Union agreements at the time restricted the seating capacity to 65 seats where many 30ft Regent Vs were 72 or 73 seats. As a customer this meant that the buses felt better quality because they had extra legroom.  

When new, the eight Weymann bodied examples were allocated to Route 2, Summertown/Cutteslowe- Barton/Sandhills/Risnghurst and the eight Park Royal bodied ones to Route 1, Station - Blackbird Leys/Minchery Farm. These were the two busiest routes in the city I think. Once the AEC Renowns started to arrive in quantity, the Queens were reallocated to less busy routes such as the 4 which we see in Grahame's pics.  

When launched, the AEC Regent 5's main selling point was that it would do 10mpg and thus cost efficient to operate. So, it was much more fuel efficient than a modern diesel bus as well as carrying far more passengers. Emissions regulations weren't even thought of in 1958 when The Queens went into service, and it would be fascinating to see a comparison of the whole life carbon footprint per passenger mile of the two buses that Grahame shows us! 

Some more "Yesterday and Today" pairs of pictures would be great to see in future issues.