Issue nr 305
Thursday June 20th, 2024

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

Michael Wadman remembers Wycombe Running Day 2002

Some nice photos from the High Wycombe Running Day in OCBP 303. I gave it a miss in favour of a similar event in Taunton on the same day, but I’ve got some old photos that I’ve recently scanned from an earlier High Wycombe Running Day in 2002. Arriva London sent two Routemasters along, so here are

   
RM25 and RML2333 at Bourne End station on service 20;

and RM25 on Tinkers Wood Road in Plomer Estate on service 30.  

The A34 - an interlude with Derek Dawson on June 14th

A few hours spent on the A34 this morning 14/06 with some nice coaches going through not sure what room you have so select what you wish obviously The last one is not a coach (well I hope its not) but love seeing these oldies passing through but leave it to you to decide 

Three nice Scottish ones 

First Flixbus I have seen on the A34 SJ23 HVO operated by Loch Lomond do not know what service it was on 

Parks of Hamilton LSK814 in Caledonian Travel livery 

Bay Travel, Lochgelly OY23 CXO in Glenton livery 

Two French visitors 

Finland Autocars DW-644-XV (33)

Groussin, Nantes  BJ-435-VH 

Proctors Lye PR24 DOR in Just Go / National Holidays 1st time I have seen this livery but do not know how old it is.
BP24 ALP Hughes, Llandudno also seen in same livery

Stagecoach 15993 heading South on suspended tow do not know where it is going but Tube 50430 seen in same scenario last week.

Indeed I am wondering if this is joining the SC Oxford fleet? Ed.

And one for the nostalgic among us 1939 AEC Matador Forestry Truck. 

Allan James

Thank you for a very interesting page which always has something of interest to me.. 

I must thank Matthew Bullock for his excellent short histories of the local operators who were no longer in existence in issue 302. It was most interesting.  I wonder, if its not asking too much, if he could do the same for the other former operators listed in issue 300 plus RH mentioned in issue 301 ?

Bob Chalmers asks about the next phase for the Oxford StreetDecks

Interesting to note that so far (with a couple of exceptions) - these new buses have yet to feature on any of the Abingdon services 35, X1, X3 and I wondered what the reason for that is? Appreciate there are still more to be delivered but would have expected to see 'some' by now. Appreciate the X1 probably covers the greatest distance per journey but the 35 & X3 are still basically City services. Will the X1 get transferred to Thames Travel with its 'dedicated livery' buses 670 - 674? Would be interesting to hear a response from OBC.

Luke Marion replied

OBC will be retaining diesel buses to operate the routes that go outside the SmartZone eg 11, 35, 46, X1, X3. The electric buses are primarily focused on SmartZone area routes, however you will start to see some electric buses appearing on 35s now we are getting more of them into service - for example 729 is out on the 35s this morning.

Martin Dowling questions about the Reading-High Wycombe route via Henley

Reading Buses is introducing a new route 28 from Reading to Henley via Caversham starting at the end of July.  I can't find the press release but this article seems to be printing it verbatim

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/reading-buses-and-thames-valley.179238

With the 800 I think this will mean four buses per hour between Reading and Henley on that route plus route 850 via Twyford.  I'm surprised that there is sufficient demand for that.  Or have I misunderstood and Carousel is only going to run services on the 850? 

Giles Woodforde

Further to your Blackpool piece this week, h/w a pic of a tram on a driver training run into North station, taken on 18 May. The station terminus is actually underneath a new Holiday Inn hotel (the pic was taken from our bedroom window). There is even a button on the hotel lifts headed "tram"! 

On a separate subject, is there some problem  with the new Stagecoach electrics? They do seem to be awfully late coming into service compared with the progress at OBS... 

     Fleet News and developments   

It is noticeable that some months ago extra double decks were drafted into Wycombe for the Reading 800/850 services as part of the improvements planned. Since the announced withdrawl of service by Arriva double decks appear rarely if ever on these services. Ed.

Gavin Francis in Oxford on June 17th

   

Gavin Francis

I see on your latest page Neil Gow has identified the Chiltern Bus as being former Stagecoach 16948. Looking back through my files I see Paul Bateson took a picture of it taken in Inverness on 4th September 2015. It's come a long way to operate in Buckinghamshire !!

16948 in INVERNESS on September 4th 2015 by Paul Bateson

Jack Cooper in Reading on June 6th

First-23653 in Reading. 

We have details of the extra buses for Wycombe following the take over of Arriva services. Ed.

894 has entered service today, June 20th but 893 seems to be off the road since June 10th.

Gavin Francis

A nice clear shot of 531 working the 4 on June 18th.

This week sees further introduction into service of more Electroliners as recorded below. Ed.

Gavin Francis in Oxford on June 17th

Seemingly still on hire 599 is seen working the 11X.

 
One wonder what the future holds for route branded buses such as 658 and 688 ?

The chances of a clear destination are not easy seen as 860 turnns off St Aldates.

Caught during one of the last days for the Citaro, 846 is seen working the 11.

Grahame Wareham

OBC 730 BJ73WXT Wright Streetdeck Electroliner High Street Oxford 12-6-2024. 

A couple of images I took today of brand new OBC 762 BN24 Z parked up outside the west wing of the JR Hospital allowing wheelchair and other infirm people access experience onto the bus. The Oxford Hospitals NHS Trust recently won the local Brand the Bus competition so there may have been a connection involving the Oxford Hospitals Charity.

 

James Freeman

 
Double decks now seem to be the order of the day for 11 road as seen by 657 and 688 on June 17th.

pignbob

 
756 on its first day of service this morning 180624

   
778 & 759 also on its first day of service this morning

 
776 in its first day of service this evening 150624

     
765, 771, 772 and 775 in service this evening 130624 

Richard Sharman

Oxford Bus Company's present and, soon to be past, full sized single-deckers. 2024 electric 493 leads 2005 diesel Mercedes-Benz Citaro 842 around Westgate.

     
Every day seems to be a 'new bus' day at the moment, here is some of the latest, which includes more new branding on the most recent additions.

Charles Powell

Change over of Sprinters on the 68. 975 on loan for 24 hrs while the other one is needed in the workshop.

The latest additions to the coach fleet on June 12th. 

Ciaran Bird

Pulhams 376 seen at Gloucester Transport Hub this morning, June 19th.

Grahame Wareham

OBC Thames Travel 928 LJ61GWE a 2011 Volvo B9TL with Wright Gemini 2 body High Street Oxford 12-6-2024  

Jack Cooper in Reading on June 6th.

854 seen in Reading but lacking any destination display.

James Freeman

228 seen near Cowley House on June 17th.

Lewis Anthony

621 with an X40 at Carfax on June 12th.

Richard Sharman

Whilst the sea of green electric buses increase on a daily basis, the unfortunate effect is that they highlight the older buses left serving Oxford, such as Thames Travel's Carousel-branded Volvo B7TL 940 that seems to be fading back to it's previous Go-Ahead London identity after having, what looks like, a brush with some neat truckwash.

   
Previous Go-Ahead London General vinyl shadows showing through the faded red paintwork.

B7 939 was also out in Oxford on the X40 with similar faded paint like 940, but with the addition of a 'Thames Travel' fleet name.

Possibly a little known fact, until now, is that a certain time in the evening- if the sun is in the right place- the bright window film on Junk Yard Golf reflects onto the road outside of it!.

In this case not quite catching the side of unbranded 679, now with Thames Travel.

454 seen in Westgate on June 17th. 

 

Maurice Doggett

The Irizar team coach has now had a subtle livery added.

Gavin Francis

   
The coach above new for NEx services is now with Ashwood Travel of High Wycombe.

 
Uber promotion covering 328 at Victoria on June 13th. 

 
including Courtney, Newbury & District & Thames Valley

Jack Cooper in Reading on June 6th

     
     
     
     
     

Certainly much variety for the enthusiast in Reading. Ed.

 

 

 

Gavin Francis in Oxford on June 17th

   
Variety working the X20 and all looking spruce.

Gavin Francis

OKA works the 40 again through Stokenchurch on June 16th.

Ciaran Bird

Ex Stagecoach Bicester 15762 (OU61 AUT) seen fully debranded in Bristol. This, along with 766 and 767,
are expected to be repainted at some point later this year. 

Gavin Francis in Oxford on June 17th

10779 was the pride of the S3 but now repainted can be seen on other local routes.

With only three hybrids left, 12010 is seen working the 1.

 
Variety working the 8, in my day 15966 was a gold special often heading for London.

 

Richard Sharman

Stagecoach West vehicles are now sporting signs advising customers of price increases from the 23rd of June:

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/west/fare-changes#tab7 

Seen in George Street is 11249 on June 17th.

The residents of Banbury Road and Kidlington were treated to a full day's service of Enviro400EV 80001 on the 17th of June.

80005 is seen on the 8 to Barton, with this image showing the angles used on the rear styling to good effect!.  

Gavin Francis

 
Seen in London on June 13th, 50445 and 50453 still awaiting repaint into tube livery.

Richard Sharman

The changes also include the Tube, the fare of £2.87 in the 90's is now a distant memory!

https://www.oxfordtube.com/offers-events/offers/ticket-prices-changes-for-oxford-tube

Providing coach accommodation there is one journey per day working the S2X as seen on June 17th. 

     London operations    

Andrew Webb

Supacell is a new Netflix series set in South London where a group of normal people suddenly develop superpowers. 

 
Metroline's LT796 has received this promotional ad for the series and seen at a deserted Oxford Circus early on 15 June whilst headed for north London. 

Habitat, the brainchild of renowned British designer Terence Conran, celebrates it Diamond Jubilee this year and has wrapped several New Routemasters in this eye catching design. 

Go Ahead's LT857, seen here at Lambeth North with a short working in route 453, is one recipient.

Gavin Francis

   
     
Some of the interesting wraps seen in London on June 13th.

   
Some of the tour buses currently in use for London.

Grahame Wareham

I have also attached four 'Memory Lane' Then and Now pictures showing buses in High Street passing King Edward Street on their way towards Carfax. Included are:- 

COMS H909 PWL 420 a 1951 AEC Regent III/ Weymann  High Street 1963;

COMS 332 332RJO AEC Renown/Park Royal High Street Oxford 1971;  

The building in the background on the corner of King Edward Street was quite a well known landmark on 108 High Street from 1939 to1975 as Savory & Moore, Chemists and Health Supplements, later being occupied by Oddbins Wine Merchants from 1976-2012, then Sweatty Betty lingerie shop 2012-2022 and currently in use with Oxford Wine Cellar. On the opposite side of King Edward Street you has Shepherd & Woodward the famous Oxford Gown and School uniform providers.

The building at 108 High Street dates back to 1837 when it was Edwards & Hewitt Ironmongers and staying with various other ironmonger business's until 1873 when it became occupied by various local chemists beginning with Hitchcock and Sons and later Dolbear & Goodhall. from 1906-1937. Savory & Moore sold out to Lloyds Pharmacy's in 1992 and there have been recent changes within that company in recent times closing many local chemists and trading as an online entity. 

Andy Millwood

First photo is Chaserider  631 in Centrebus livery.

Hydrogen Bus is H013 Katherine  West Midlands bus       

 
West Midlands    Same bus but leaving the Trident in original and in the bus station, one of their best liveries, I number 4125 think                                    

Gordon Scott

Taken last Friday Stagecoach West Scotland 50511 - SJ24 HWR Volvo B13R 9700 DD on Citylink 909 Edinburgh to Stirling taken at Drum Brae Edinburgh.

Fitted with standard mirrors had camera type fitted on delivery.

Taken early last week

Stagecoach West Scotland 50501 - SJ73 HVZ Volvo B13R 9700 DD Megabus livery on Citylink 909 Edinburgh to Stirling
taken at Frederick Street Edinburgh. 

Nick Ross

Three  photos from North Devon for your excellent website.

Country Bus Optare at Chulmleigh with the recently introduced 325 to Barnstaple at Chulmleigh on June 7th 2024.

Plymouth Citybus Enviro 200 on the approach to Tavistock with the 98 from Plymouth on June 4th 2024.

Stagecoach Enviro 15260 YN 65 XDM arrives in Chulmleigh with the 5C for Exeter on June 5th 2024.