Editorial
Last week's issue seems to have proved a great success, especially since many of my readers appreciated the article on Route 66. It generated responses from as far away as New Zealand. Here Andrew Dyer wrote remembering his early days with this route, as the Managing Director of Cheltenham & Gloucester Omnibus, when at the end of 1993 the company was acquired by Stagecoach! Further pictures have come to light and it seems that this history may well justify a page all of its own in due course. So, again, if anyone has more pictures, information and memories please do let me have them.
A development of some significance is that I have been advised that Stagecoach will operate a Park & Ride service from the nearby Car Park to Bicester Village. This started on November 23rd and will last for five to six weeks. Some double deckers will be used from Stroud depot of Stagecoach West. No further details were known at the time of writing but it appears that these buses will looked after by Oxford depot, probably for fuelling and cleaning. More details of the buses involved and updates are to be found below and under the Stagecoach in Oxfordshire heading.
Update on the 66 story
I received several emails following the article in the last issue.
First is one from Andrew Dyer, now in New Zealand, who until recently was Managing Director of Stagecoach South.
Andrew writes "Thanks as ever for another great weekly news page and I was interested to read
the piece about the 66.
Perhaps I can give some more info about the mid 1990s “breakthrough”.
Our first project was to increase the frequency of Cheltenham-Gloucester route
94, followed by Swindon -Cheltenham route 51 where we created a proper hourly
frequency with new Volvo B10Ms supported by the newly created Government Rural
Development fund.
Swindon 902 to be 32902 - P902SMR with a 66, the branding showing service to
Marlborough seen on March 3rd 1998 by Malcolm Crowe.
Along with lots of new housing along the route, this laid the foundation for the huge success the 66 has become."
The second came from Raymond James who
Raymond writes as under.
1) There was a period in the mid
90s where the 65 & 66 was operated by Thamesdown Transport using a mixture of
Duple bodied Dennis Lancets and Leyland Tiger coaches with Plaxton 3200
bodywork. The Lancets came from Merseyside and the Tigers from BA/London
Country.
2) When Stagecoach took the route back over, it was operated by a mixture of buses including Leyland Nationals and Volvo B6s. The B6s and Dennis Darts as shown in your article carried joint branding for the 66 and Swindon service 70 to Marlborough and the buses changed service at Swindon. The 66 also had the first low floor Volvo B6LEs in use at Swindon before the launch of local services 6, 7 & 8.
Swindon's 852 to be 31852 - P852SMR, a Volvo B6BLE/E200, with a 66 service but
branded for service to Wroughton,
leaves Gloucester Green on March 21st 1998 seen by Malcolm Crowe.
3) Thames Transit took over the 65 service and operated
it alongside the 65A from Swindon to Wantage. They operated it at the time that
Stagecoach took over and various Mercedes minibuses and darts operated on it.
Also of note is that a local operator which has long since ceased trading called Coachman operated a 67A from Swindon via Highworth, Shrivenham and Faringdon to if my memory is right Stanford-in-the-Vale, usually operated by a VR or Titan but they did have an interesting vehicle in the guise of the Alexander bodied Iveco TurboCity double decker.
The double deck Coachman fleet seen on April 24th
2007 by Marcus Lapthorn.
A local import was COMS Bristol VR HUD497 again seen
on April 24th 2007 by Marcus Lapthorn.
Now I wonder if anyone has pictures of Thamesdown buses working the 65 & 66?
Ralph Adams also contributed more information of interest regarding the route.
"Under Stagecoach, the route has been operated by Swindon.
In early 1990s, there
was a staff problem at the garage so Darts 901/902 were for a short while under
Oxford control.
They were driven by Oxford controllers empty to Swindon daily to start service
and return empty in the evening. The fuel tanks were not sufficient for the day
so the buses would pull onto a service station in service to fill up and paid
from the cash takings.
Marcus Lapthorn has also added some more information including some pictures of Coachman vehicles.
Marcus writes remembering news he sent me in 2011 regarding the long M A N buses then used on the 66.
Of course within a few months of that in early 2012 a fleet of Scania Gold buses were launched on the route as described in last week's issue. This may have had something to do with the above non-use of the M A N s.
West's Olympain16055 with a 65 service in Stanford in the Vale on March 24th
2007 by Marcus Lapthorn.
West's Olympian 16110 with a 65 en-route to Faringdon on August 1st 2012 by
Marcus Lapthorn.
SC One missed from last week was this excellent picture of 22745, seemingly
borrowed on its way to South to work the 66 on January 12th 2017.
Marcus Lapthorn caught this one on the service.
Further updates and details will be published as these become available.
Changes in those serving Bicester Park & Ride
Stagecoach started to run the Bicester Park & Ride to Bicester Village service from November 23rd. I was delighted that Ralph Adams had taken time on Friday last to photograph this service and that from Bicester North Station to the Village currently run by Hallmark. They still run the odd bus in Rotala Bristol livery!
Stagecoach moved in three Tridents from West. Ralph got pictures of all three as can be seen below plus various Hallmark buses working on the 23rd.
Stagecoach buses.
18090, 18315 and 18321 at Bicester Park & Ride having arrived from
Bicester Village on November 23rd as seen by Ralph Adams.
Hallmark buses.
Hallmark 40625 BJ14KTC, still in Bristol livery, on November 23rd as seen by
Ralph Adams.
Hallmark LJ04LFD, which is ex Arriva, on November 23rd as seen by Ralph Adams.
These two
Scania Omnidekka's are both ex Stagecoach London and were working in Bristol
suitably branded, pictures again by Ralph Adams.
Hallmark's YX09HYZ suitably branded for the 557 Addlestone-Sunbury route is seen
in Bicester Village, again by Ralph Adams.
Two hired Newbury & District MMC's are seen on Friday being 786 and 787 (fleet
number only applied to one so far) and looking rather smart.
Pictures by Ralph Adams on November 23rd.
On November 24th Stagecoach used Stagecoach Oxford buses E400s 10067/70/71 plus Gold Scania 15613 as advised by Ralph.
Further information and pictures will be posted as they become available.
Buses in Alesund, Norway by Paul Hubbert
I am also pleased to include a few pictures of buses in Alesund Norway from Paul Hubbert. Readers may remember that in issue XX I included one picture of an unusual tour bus also from Paul.
A City Sightseeing mini coach seen on August 31st 2016 by Paul Hubbert.
FRAM EKSPRESS's three coaches at Alesund Bus Stn, Norway on September 2nd 2016
by Paul Hubbert.
Coaches from north of the border by Gordon Scott & Malcolm Crowe
Gordon has contributed a picture from Scotland which will interest readers.
Seen at Kings after repaint out of Megabus livery, SC 54205 - SF62CPV Volvo B11R
Plaxton Elite i ex Stagecoach Midland, Rugby
on November 20th by Gordon Scott. This coach with 54206 - SF62CRK will both be
based
Just around the corner from where I used to live I found Lothian Motorcoaches
SN18CVX in Cavendish Rd Bowdon on November 27th by Malcolm Crowe.
It is sad to report that Wycombe Citaro 3928 was destroyed by a fire at Hazlemere Crossroads on Saturday, November 3rd. As can be seen by the picture this is one bus that will not see service again.
This is one which will not take to the road again. 3928 after the fire.
The Volvo/Wrights which ran from new in High Wycombe are now being repainted in the latest livery.
3866 with a 500 working in Aylesbury on November 21st by Tony Bungay.
Paul Swann of Arriva advises that some of the fleet is having to be renumbered because of a change to the Fuel System programmes. Tamworth started the weekend of November 24/25 and the South Depots will follow over the first three weeks of December. The details are below:
Depot Location | Current Fleet Number | Vehicle Type | Reg Number | New Fleet Number |
Aylesbury | 3908 | Merc Citaro | BU06HSN | 3038 |
Aylesbury | 3909 | Merc Citaro | BU06HSO | 3039 |
Aylesbury | 3930 | Merc Citaro | BD12DHG | 3030 |
Aylesbury | 3931 | Merc Citaro | BD12DHJ | 3031 |
Aylesbury | 3932 | Merc Citaro | BD12DHK | 3032 |
High Wycombe | 2518-TS | Streetlite WF | LK15FFS | 2318 |
High Wycombe | 2525-TS | Streetlite WF | LK15FFT | 2325 |
High Wycombe | 2526-TS | Streetlite WF | LK15FFU | 2326 |
High Wycombe | 2527-TS | Streetlite WF | LK15FFV | 2327 |
High Wycombe | 2528-TS | Streetlite WF | LK15FFW | 2328 |
High Wycombe | 3912-TS | Merc Citaro | BV58MLF | 3042 |
High Wycombe | 3913-TS | Merc Citaro | BV58MLJ | 3043 |
High Wycombe | 3927-TS | Merc Citaro | BG59FCX | 3027 |
High Wycombe | 3929-TS | Merc Citaro | BG59FCZ | 3029 |
High Wycombe | 4517-TS | SB120 | KL52CWJ | 2757 |
High Wycombe | 3746-TS | MAN Evolution | AE56MDX | 3646 |
High Wycombe | 6004-TS | DB250 - ALX | KL52CWT | 4824 |
High Wycombe | 6010-TS | DB250 - ALX | KL52CXB | 4819 |
Luton | 2513-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JNZ | 2313 |
Luton | 2514-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JOA | 2314 |
Luton | 2515-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JOH | 2315 |
Luton | 2516-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JOJ | 2316 |
Luton | 2517-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JOU | 2317 |
Luton | 2519-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JPF | 2319 |
Luton | 2520-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JNK | 2320 |
Luton | 2521-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JNL | 2321 |
Luton | 2522-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JNN | 2322 |
Luton | 2523-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JNO | 2323 |
Luton | 2524-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JNU | 2324 |
Milton Keynes | 2511-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JNV | 2311 |
Milton Keynes | 2512-TS | Streetlite WF | LM64JNX | 2312 |
Milton Keynes | 3732-TS | SB120 | YJ07JVU | 2782 |
Milton Keynes | 3733-TS | SB120 | YJ07JVV | 2783 |
Milton Keynes | 3736-TS | SB120 | YJ07JVY | 2786 |
Milton Keynes | 3737-TS | SB120 | YJ07JVZ | 2787 |
Milton Keynes | 3767-TS | SB200 | MX12KWV | 3867 |
Milton Keynes | 3768-TS | SB200 | MX12KWW | 3868 |
Milton Keynes | 3769-TS | SB200 | MX12KWY | 3869 |
Milton Keynes | 3770-TS | SB200 | MX12KWZ | 3870 |
Milton Keynes | 3771-TS | SB200 | MX12KXA | 3871 |
Milton Keynes | 3772-TS | SB200 | MX12KXB | 3872 |
Milton Keynes | 3773-TS | SB200 | MX13ALO | 3873 |
Milton Keynes | 3774-TS | SB200 | MX13ALU | 3874 |
Milton Keynes | 3775-TS | SB200 | MX13AMK | 3875 |
Milton Keynes | 3776-TS | SB200 | MX13AMO | 3876 |
Milton Keynes | 3777-TS | SB200 | MX13AMU | 3877 |
Milton Keynes | 3778-TS | SB200 | MX13AMV | 3878 |
Milton Keynes | 4516-TS | SB120 | KE51PVK | 2756 |
Milton Keynes | 4519-TS | SB120 | KE03OUN | 2759 |
Milton Keynes | 4520-TS | SB120 | KE03OUP | 2760 |
Milton Keynes | 4525-TS | SB120 | KE03OUM | 2765 |
Milton Keynes | 4532-TS | SB120 | LJ51DFE | 2762 |
Milton Keynes | 5001-TS | Streetlite WF- Electric | KP63TDU | 2301 |
Milton Keynes | 5002-TS | Streetlite WF- Electric | KP63TDV | 2302 |
Milton Keynes | 5003-TS | Streetlite WF- Electric | KP63TDX | 2303 |
Milton Keynes | 5004-TS | Streetlite WF- Electric | KP63TDZ | 2304 |
Milton Keynes | 5005-TS | Streetlite WF- Electric | KP63TEJ | 2305 |
Milton Keynes | 5006-TS | Streetlite WF- Electric | KP63TEO | 2306 |
Milton Keynes | 5007-TS | Streetlite WF- Electric | KP63TEU | 2307 |
Milton Keynes | 5008-TS | Streetlite WF- Electric | KP63TEV | 2308 |
Tamworth | 3867-MD | Volvo B7RLE | KE05FMM | 3927 |
Tamworth | 3868-MD | Volvo B7RLE | KE07EVX | 3928 |
Tamworth | 3869-MD | Volvo B7RLE | KE07EVY | 3929 |
Tamworth | 3870-MD | Volvo B7RLE | KE07EWA | 3930 |
Tamworth | 3871-MD | Volvo B7RLE | KE07EWB | 3931 |
Tamworth | 3872-MD | Volvo B7RLE | KE07EWC | 3932 |
So lots to look out for and photograph.
Nigel Peach writes "Carousel's 418 AE59AWH
an MCV Evolution has lost its Route 1 branding. It's a
while since I've seen this bus so I don't know how long ago this happened. Will
try and get a picture!
Cranberry Coachways of Great Harwood now have T111DBW seen on rail replacement
in Manchester on November 24th by Paul Sykes.
All branding has now been removed from 65 seen on a SNAP service to Birmingham
by Gavin Francis on November 25th.
Road works in Magdalen Street East in Oxford have resulted in diversions for southbound services terminating in Oxford or even passing through.
So this Redbridge bound service operated by 663will not pass down George Street,
by Gavin Francis on November 23rd.
On the same day 839 is seen with a 6 road service making the round the block to
work northwards - by Gavin Francis.
A wet day and its passengers make use of the cover, 201 is seen in Beaumont
Street on November 27th by Gavin Francis.
They are for OBC’s growing PickMeUp demand-responsive transport service in the city’s eastern arc and they will be repainted into a dark blue livery before use.
Each one has 15 Kiel Ligero seats along with a Masats 120cm wide double-leaf rapid sliding door. EVM’s moulded side skirts are fitted and its chrome package has been added.
In-dash air-conditioning is included along with a saloon heater booster and double-glazed side windows.
They will be 977 RF68FLC and 978 RF68FLX which will enter service next month.
Neoplan OU17ORX in Oxford on November 27th by Gavin Francis.
Now with Heyfordian PO17EJY ex is ex Whitestar of Neilstone in Oxford on
November 27th by Gavin Francis.
M A N Beulas WJ17EYX in Oxford on November 27th by Gavin Francis.
770 Emerald with a 702 working nearing the end of its journey on November 23rd
by Gavin Francis.
Optare MetroDecker 899 seen in Bulleid Way on
November 19th by Gavin Francis. The five for Reading are due in May/June 2019.
Pictures of these can be seen in the Editorial above.
Trident 18321 at Horspath depot on November 27th by Gavin Francis. Note this is
branded for a West local route.
The hole keeping traffic out of this street.
15757 is seen using the Broad Street diversion to achieve its pick up point by
Debenhams on November 23rd by Gavin Francis.
Four pictures by Theo Freeman of buses in Banbury depot on November 17th with
28743, 34436, 36764 and 47736.
Now with Merseyside and South Lancashire
15746 lately off the X4 Northampton service is seen at Gilmoss depot,
Liverpool on November 24th by Les Burton.
West
The new order for the S6 shown by 10985 leaving
Gloucester Green on November 25th by Gavin Francis.
Megabus 54269 in Hythe Bridge St Oxford on November 25th working the M34 service
by Gavin Francis.
Newest Plaxton elite i 54610 is seen with an M15 Liverpool service on November
26th by Gavin Francis.
Note this coach is called Jenson Busson!
Other operators of interest including London.
GO London TA1 works route 12 in London on November
27th by Graham Low.
The
BCI Enterprise 2HD, with Vantage Power supplying the hybrid tech is built in
China with
Australian technical support. This is the first modern tri-axle double-decker
local service bus to
enter service in London.
Afternoon Tea buses for Christmas in VCS on November
27th by Gavin Francis.
GO London LT511 works the 11 with a Wrap for TALKTALK
opposite VCS on November 23rd by Gavin Francis.
Original Sightseeing VXE723 with a WRAP for Christmas
on November 23rd by Gavin Francis.
Ebley Coaches of Stroud's Solo CN07KZS in St Giles
Oxford on November 23rd by Gavin Francis.
Thomas built School Bus K873EMO at Witney Auction on
November 22nd by Gerry Gregory.