Editorial
Leger Holidays, the escorted touring company, has
announced the acquisition of the assets of former competitor, Shearings.
The deal will see Leger Holidays acquire the Shearings brand, website and
customer database.
Leger Holidays’ chief executive Ian Henry said:
“I am delighted that Leger Holidays will be bringing the iconic Shearings
brand back to life and re-launching it as a stand-alone brand in our
escorted tours portfolio.
“We have gone into this deal knowing that the two brands already have many
synergies – similar product, customer demographic, experience values,
impressive repeat business and customer loyalty and, as such, we already
have the business model in place to seamlessly re-launch Shearings. Leger
Holidays has nearly 40 years’ experience in escorted tours – we are not
recklessly helicoptering into unknown territory!
“We are particularly keen to develop Shearings’ popular UK tours portfolio
and increase our UK tours market share. Post Covid-19 we are predicting an
increase in staycations and will be very quickly launching around thirty new
UK tours for 2021 and beyond.
“This deal will not only save the Shearings brand but will reinforce Leger
Holidays’ position as the UK’s largest coach holiday operator.”
Leger Holidays said it will be
working with travel agents on the commissionable sale of Shearings’ tours
and is also open to talks with Shearings’ former suppliers.
Gavin Francis has been on a trip to "the Garden of England" this week with pictures from Redhill, Biggin Hill and Orpington plus earlier in the week a visit to Uxbridge and Hounslow West.
Redhill Bus Station on June 24th - Gavin
Francis
There has also been much in the press this week about Manchester planning an operation similar to TfL. One problem for all of these operations is the cost in £millions per day!
Parked up in Stockport's bus station is the
Hybrid fleet of buses recently employed by *** but owned by Manchester
authorities.
Picture by Les Burton on June 26th 2020.
Whether you’re travelling from Oxford to London or returning from London to Oxford, the Oxford Tube is the perfect option.
Returning to service on Monday, July 6th Oxford Tube coaches will run up to every 15 minutes during peaks, delivering a reliable service for commuters and those looking for a day out in the Capital or University city of Oxford. You can view the Oxford Tube timetable online to start planning your journey.
Social distancing measures will be in place on board our vehicles with reduced capacity implemented in line with government guidelines. Whilst our drivers enjoy interacting with passengers and seeing your smiling faces as you board, we'd like to remind customers that unless you are exempt, a face covering is now a legal requirement for travel on public transport. More information on the level of operation and safety procedures in place can be found here.
We have a new contributor this week, Daniel Harwood, who has provided a nice picture of an Oxford tube back in 2019.
50276 is seen on May 13th 2019, just over 12 months ago, when we had no idea
of what was waiting for our country in the Pandemic !
The Oxford tube website advises that the service now has a number of safety features in line with social distancing etc:
On behalf of all readers of OCBP I am sure we wish Stagecoach good fortune with this resumption of service, especially since there is a basic half hourly service.
We’ve introduced new safety measures to help keep you and our people safe on
board. We’d ask that you read these in detail before you travel and thank
you in advance for helping us keep all our passengers and people safe.
Social distancing
Keeping it clean
There are a further number of items which can be viewed at this link: https://uk.megabus.com/coronavirus
It is worth looking at this ink, one the very best I've seen.
So, let us trust that services will return to the future with good support.
An interesting collection of pictures from the past, provided by Keith Newton via Michael Wadman, for this week's issue which I hope readers will enjoy. This week we feature House of Watlington.
Keith Newton/Michael Wadman
Here are a few more photos from Keith Newton, this time featuring House of
Watlington.
WXC 347, a Bedford SB8 / Harrington from Grey Green, on a school run. We’re not
sure whether these school journeys were public.
Another school bus, BSB 311C, a Bedford VAS1 / Duple Midland, new to Stewarts of
Dalavich,
Argyllshire.
CUD 713R, Ford R1114 / Plaxton, in Rotherfield Greys en route, if the
destination display is correct, from Henley to Russell’s Water.
And
finally an unidentified Bedford SB / Plaxton. Keith thinks that this and WXC 347
are somewhere in the woods new Stoke Row.
These really are fascinating pictures of an operator who, is now, but a memory. It shows the narrow roads and lane which predominate in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
It’s Monday, 22 June 2020 and a quick check of
www.transsee.ca
and Brampton Transit
revealed that another New Flyer XDE60 articulated Zum bus has entered service –
fleet number 2078 on regular Zum route 501.
A first for me, and maybe a first occasion for BT, was
a Zum articulated assigned to route 115 Airport Express. Today was the
first day of a slight increase in service although still an enhanced Sunday
service with large areas of the city without a bus service.
Brampton Transit's 1778 working the 115 seen in
Team Canada Drive on June 22nd by Paul Bateson.
Gavin Francis in Redhill, Biggin Hill & Orpington
Gavin spent a very pleasant morning south of the Thames covering an area which has not featured on this page previously. His photos show the variety of operators to be seen in this area. Operator variety is the keyword for buses to be seen, ALL of which look very tidy!
Redhill
Two types in use at Redhill are shown here, a WHV70 and WVL510 both on route
405 to South Croydon.
https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_page_media/3171/Web_Fleet_List_2020-06.pdf
The company operates more than 30 of these Scania Omnicity double decks.
... and 21 of these StreetLite single decks.
Another Scania type, the single deck Omnicity on fastway 100 to
Gatwick.
https://www.southdown.net/fleet-list
LK04CRU was Metroline VP516 and often worked the 6 along Park Lane.
Examples of the single deck fleet in Redhill.
Compass Bus
and Cruisers
https://www.compass-travel.co.uk/currentfleet/ -
https://www.cruisersltd.co.uk/315-bus-timetable/
These two companies also run into Redhill with smartly turned out
buses.
So as readers can see there is quite some variety in Redhill and Gavin said what a great location for pictures.
BIGGIN HILL
Abellio work the 464 through Biggin Hill using these E200MMCs new in 2017.
A now elderly E400 Hybrid, EH20 works the 320 to Biggin Hill Valley.
When taking these pictures Gavin did not realise that Biggin Hill Airfield was literally around the corner!!
Orpington
The company serves this town with StreetLites branded for local routes.
Late model Citaros serve route 358 to Crystal Palace from Orpington with
MEC64 seen in the High Street.
Stagecoach route 61 worked by E400 19742 is seen in the High Street.
MMC 37501, seen again in the High Street working a local B14 Orpington
service.
We will have further pictures from Gavin's travel in the next issue. This time from Hounslow West and Uxbridge. Certainly the above pictures wet ones appetite to visit the area above.
North of the Border with Gordon Scott - our man in Drum Brae!
Caught up with MOD Driver Training for Key workers
Volvo Plaxton Panther SK14CVE taken at Edinburgh
June 25th
Longstone Lothian Depot
Lothian Airlink 1128CE - SB19GLY
Edinburgh Park and Hermiston Gate Rail, Tram
Lothian 417LS - BN64LHX
Fleet news and developments
Various contributors this week shows us some of Arriva's operation across the area.
Clearly branded for the 280 to Oxford, 5461 working the 300 in Frogmoor High
Wycombe on June 21st by Gavin Francis.
Now some pictures from Gary Seamarks taken in Milton Keynes on June 22nd
StreetLite 3309 is seen with local route 300.
Looking very long indeed Scania 3578 is seen with a route 2 service.
Two Wrights deckers working route 6 and 5 in MK.
Two buses notionally on loan to Arriva work services in MK.
Now from Nick Ross
Solo 2498 alongside Mercedes 1008 in Leighton Buzzard on June 18th 2020 by
Nick Ross.
2498 looks new!!!!
All of the liveried loaned buses from Thames Travel have returned leaving two loans which are Scania's 214 and 219. Carousels ex London's have returned and are now in all day use on the network.
The duty that 941 is seen on, in Stokenchurch, works most of the day on the
27 and then one trip on X8 before a one way trip to our village.
Taken on June 19th before running back to depot empty.
710 is a regular on this duty but the night before the picture above it was
942.
The shuttle bus. Found it outside Amersham Hospital. Spoke to the driver. He does a 10min round trip and a 40min break every hour for 12hrs!!
977 is seen in Whielden Street, Amersham on
layover. June 21st by Gavin Francis.
Citaro 876 is seen in Oxford Street with a 102
short working to Beaconsfield. June 21st by Gavin Francis.
Note the VERY tiny fleet number on the nearside front!!
Nigel Peach
As I was walking in Flackwell Heath on Friday 19th, I saw Citaro 876 on the 35 to HW approaching, so I got my phone out. An unexpected bonus was that 886 came in the other direction (on the 36 to Bourne End) as I was lining up the picture!
Despite www.bustimes.org; telling us that Thames Travel's 214 and 219 haven't been running for months, they are both still working at Carousel (whereas the others on loan have returned to TT). StreetLite 401 is back on the road - I saw it on Friday, its first day of working since February according to bustimes. 402 hasn't been working since March. I wonder what it is with those two buses. They both seem to spend long periods off the road.
A correction to the item in issue nr 108 is seen hereunder. It was a K not an X in the three letter mark! NK20EKT.
NK20EKO | Wt StreetDeck SA9DDRSXX19141718 | Wt AS480 | H??/??F | 6/2020 | Go North East | 6341 |
NK20EKP | Wt StreetDeck SA9DDRSXX19141719 | Wt AS481 | H??/??F | 6/2020 | Go North East | 6342 |
NK20EKR | Wt StreetDeck SA9DDRSXX19141720 | Wt AS482 | H??/??F | 6/2020 | Go North East | 6343 |
NK20EKT | Wt StreetDeck SA9DDRSXX19141721 | Wt AS483 | H??/??F | 6/2020 | Go North East | 6344 |
NK20EKW | Wt StreetDeck SA9DDRSXX19141724 | Wt AS547 | H??/??F | 6/2020 | Go North East | 6347 |
Carol Bridges
Carol took this picture of the bus in front of Oxford Train Station on June 8th.
NK20EKT on evaluation trials at Oxford Train Station on
June 8th. Don't you love the BAMFORD BUS COMPANY display?
It is to be 6344 for Go North East.
Neil Bridges reports seeing a brand new unregistered StreetDeck for Thames Travel on the Eastern By-Pass earlier this week. This might have some relevance to the loan above.
Pictures now from various contributors as indicated.
Ciaran Bird
Branded 364 is seen working a 500 service in Woodstock on June 20th.
Two further surprises working the 500 on June 20th were Brookes 608 and red
StreetDeck 661.
This may have been as Park & Ride buses were used on Bicester Village
services around that time.
Jack Cooper
869 working the 250 on June 22nd and 883 on the 25th both in Magdalen Street
East.
Branded for the 2, 365 is seen with a 2A service on the 25th in Magdalen
Street East.
Brookes 606 is seen in a sylvan setting on June 25th in Magdalen Street
East.
Branded for the 5, 655 is seen on 6 road when then becomes a 35 on June 25th
in Magdalen Street East.
663 and 664 both working the 300 Park & Ride on June 25th.
Finally it is "StreetDeck city" in this scene from Magdalen Street West on
June 25th.
OXFORD BUS COMPANY COMMEMORATE PICKMEUP ON LAST DAY OF CURRENT SERVICE
Press Release
•950,000 miles and 300,000 journeys completed in two-year pilot scheme
•Rural Mobility Fund application submitted in bid to unlock government
funding to re-launch a revised demand responsive service in Oxfordshire
PickMeUp, Oxford Bus Company’s demand responsive ride-sharing service has
completed its last day in service following a two-year pilot scheme.
Colleagues who worked on PickMeUp gathered to mark the end of the landmark
service which was the first of its kind in the UK. Oxford Bus Company would
like to thank everyone who has travelled on the PickMeUp and all colleagues
who worked on the service.
Oxford Bus Company can confirm it has applied for a grant via the
government’s Rural Mobility Fund, in partnership with Oxfordshire County
Council, which if granted would result in a revised PickMeUp service
returning to the county.
PickMeUp was launched to improve connectivity in the eastern arc of Oxford
by complementing traditional bus routes. It enabled passengers in eastern
Oxford to summon buses to pick them up on a street corner of their choice,
to go to a bespoke destination.
More than 38,000 people downloaded the app and more than 300,000 journeys
were made on the service which covered 950,000 miles. However, the service
did not reach the commercial milestones required to make it sustainable
beyond the two-year pilot, even though not all demand could be met.
Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said:
“PickMeUp was a great innovation by Oxford Bus Company and we are proud of
its achievements. We have taken a lot of learnings from PickMeUp and are
hopeful it could be re-introduced to Oxfordshire if we are successful in our
grant funding application, albeit in a revised format.
“Unfortunately, at this time we were not able to secure the additional
funding support required to retain the current service beyond the pilot
scheme once we had identified that the service could not be sustained
financially with the limited number of partners that we had. We would like
to thank everyone who has travelled with the PickMeUp service and our superb
colleagues who have worked with us throughout the pilot scheme. It is no
reflection on their hard work that we have had to finish operating the
service.”
Daniel Harwood, a new contributor.
MMC 452 with a 98A in Great Western Park, Didcot on June 20th by Daniel
Harwood.
Jack Cooper
Scanioa 912 is seen in St Aldates with an X39 to Reading on June 25th.
Short MMC 511 is seen in Frideswide Square with the ST2 on June 25th.
One from Gary Seamarks in Milton Keynes area.
In heavy rain YK69NKX is seen with a 34 service on June 17th
Another picture from Graham Mildenhall taken just outside the entrance to what was USAF(RAF) Upper Heyford.
Mercedes C17HTL in Upper Heyford on June 21st by Graham Mildenhall.
CLOSURE OF READING BRIDGE
A note from Reading Buses.
On Friday afternoon we received surprise notification that Reading Bridge
will be completely closed from 29 June for approximately 6 weeks for gas
main works.
We are voicing the strongest of objections to the total closure, which
whilst at a traditionally quiet time of year, will still cause severe
disruption to services in Caversham and substantial additional operating
costs. We are
making the case that it should be possible to maintain outbound access for
buses at the very least, and will keep you informed of the final outcome.
There is likely to be significant disruption to Pink, Berry and Little Berry
services as a result, on both the schedules that started on 15 June and
those being planned for 6 July.
I do not have any update so far.
Don't for get to look at Stagecoach reports on the SKM Website.
https://www.stevenknightmedia.com/fleet-news-ramblings
By now you will all be aware of extra services in the coming days and details are available on their web site.
Pictures now from various contributors.
Ciaran Bird
MMC 10686 with an S3 in Woodstock on June 20th.
Gold 15832 working route 7 to Oxford through Woodstock on June 20th.
Solo SR 47834 is seen with a 233 service in Woodstock on June 20th.
Neil Bridges mentioned on June 24th that MMC400 11241 operating the 0750hrs 233 service from Woodstock I'm not sure if there had been one on this before.
Daniel Harwood
MMC 10675 is seen heading southwards down St Giles with a 2A service on June
18th
MMC 10677 is seen with an S8 in Grove on June 3rd.
MMC 11254 is heading for Carterton through Eynsham on June 14th.
Gary Seamarks has provided a few pictures from Milton Keynes taken on June 22nd.
21307 is seen heading for Cambridge.
21310 is thanking all KEYWORKERS.
Volvo B8RLE/MCV B44F buses in use on the 99 and X5 - 21366, 21367 and 21368.
Jack Cooper
... and 213568 is seen arriving in Oxford on June 25th.
Well, only just over a week to go and then they'll be back. Check my notes under COVID-19 update above.
Service start a week on Saturday, Check my notes under COVID-19 update above.
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