Editorial
An interesting if quieter week for pictures than in recent times. However still of interest with a few changes in our main areas.
Having highlighted in a recent issue the lack of any repainted Stagecoach buses from the Oxford fleet a surprise appearance on July 1st is seen below. Taken by Ciaran Bird on July 1st is the return of a Solo seen in Woodstock.
Arriving from Burford with service 233 is the
repainted Solo which looks fresh and is one of the older buses with SC
Oxfordshire.
More pictures of this bus can be seen under the SC Oxfordshire heading below.
As mentioned in the last issue much work is taking place on the building in Buckingham Palace Road where the Oxford tube and other express services pick up. Below are pictures of the recent work.
Gavin Francis
Stop 10 is seen in these pictures with only stop open at present for the 702 in
the background on June 28th.
By the last weekend the road was closed again for further building works as seen below.
No those are big vehicles and cranes on July 3rd.
On July 3rd tube services were back to loading outside
the Google building in BPR and waiting time in
Bressenden Place as seen in these pictures of 50444.
Oh and work on the Mound at Marble Arch continues as seen in the picture below taken on July 3rd.
Botley Road is presently restricted due works by Botley Road bridge resulting in single line working. This has caused long delays in recent days.
The cause is this hole in road at the location seen
on June 28th.
Gary Seamarks
I saw in Ventura's yard at Cranfield, the overflow yard
looked full of ex-Airport Citaro's on one side and Tourismo coaches in 'dealer'
white on the other, very little else visible except an RM, try and revisit later
in month.
Updates on Go Ahead Oxford group
Three significant fleet changes are of note for this issue
Jack Cooper
Was out and about on June 28th to catch 514 in its first services at Bicester Village on July 1st.
The service operates between Bicester north Rail Station and Bicester Village
here on June 28th.
Luke Marion
Ex Brighton & Hove YN55NFH now Thames Travel 246 shows off its new livery which
is also a new variation for Thames Travel.
Malcolm Crowe
MB Sprinter 977 has now returned from repaint into Carousel red seen at the
depot on July 3rd.
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Ciaran Bird
A nice Mercedes Sprinter/EVM Grandtourer from
Johnsons, RO15VGV, passes near to Enstone with a
background of the rolling Oxfordshire countryside on June 15th.
Tony Bungay
Now we are getting close to the 19th and the end of the school term the sight of S buses may be nearing an end also.
I took Enviro 400 5467 on July 1st working the schools only version of the 280.
Not the best picture as its amongst rush hour traffic
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Gavin Francis
More coach work as seen at Marble Arch on July 2nd.
YN17OMS rounding the Marble Arch area on July 2nd.
One of the recent additions to the fleet, IRZ363 is seen outside the Ashmolean
in Oxford on July 3rd.
Last week I mentioned that the open top tour buses were back with us and some of you may have wondered about TOOTBUS ?
The Original Tour has rebranded to TOOTBUS London, offering tourists the chance to experience the vibrant cultural life and rich historical legacy of London by stepping on board and letting the city surprise them.
More details under the London section below.
Fleet news and developments
As I write this page on Saturday afternoon (July 3rd) I should note that 3797 from Aylesbury working the 300 showed COME ON ENGLAND showing as a display. I hope they do ! However Tony Bungay has come to the rescue, see below.
Also I was surprised by my visit to Cressex depot on July 3rd to see the M&M Coaches have gone!
Also the withdrawn buses from the far fence have also seen by Malcolm Crowe on
July 3rd.
Gavin Francis
Tourismo 7212 with a 757 inbound working turns into Elizabeth Bridge on June
28th.
Green Line 7205 is seen at Marble Arch working the 757 on July 2nd.
Gary Seamarks
Nice little find in MK Thurs 1/7/21, on an Arriva MK School Dupe, belongs to an operator in Swansea according to the legals.
Milton Keynes on July 1st with ex Oxford Interdecker GO63OXF working a school
service for Arriva.
A Travellers Choice Volvo SJ15HBM school extra working the Arriva SX60 in
Aylesbury on July 1st.
For those who follow Arriva further north there are pictures from Martyn Sacaloff of ex Arriva buses now with Chaserider in Cannock, Staffordshire.
Tony Bungay
Today with England playing
various Arriva vehicles added their support! I managed to get 5465 on an outward
280 working and Solo 2479 about to enter the darkness of Aylesbury Bus Station
on an inward local 9 working both with suitable destination messages.
The problem with a rolling display is getting the right
moment, I got a much better photo of 2479 except that the destination box was
blank!
5465 and 2479 in Aylesbury displaying COME ON ENGLAND on July 3rd prior to a 4-0
win !
Jack Cooper
StreetLite 20169 seen in St Giles on June 29th.
I don't believe these had fleet numbers when Diamond took over the 250 Bicester
service?
Gavin Francis
Turners YJ19BBF is seen in Buckingham Palace Road waiting time on June 28th.
It also appears that another company has joined the Flixbus fold. More details are awaited.
The David Corbel coach mentioned on a Flixbus working was YJ19BDE.
Only just managed to get a rear shot as it flew down Semley Place and out onto
BPR.
Official advice regarding fleet changes is "The
plan is that services 577/581/583 will be operated by Sprinters moving forward.
We are in the process of painting sprinters 977-980 into
Carousel colours to cover this service and a couple of other services that we
expect to be operating in the High Wycombe area soon. The first of these is due
back from repaint this week.
977 returned to Oxford last Wednesday repainted in red for Carousel. 980 is presently working the 577/581/583 services.
Malcolm Crowe
977 seen at the depot on July 3rd.
421 seen at the depot on July 2nd.
Scania 216 seen at the depot on July 3rd.
Ciaran Bird
MMC 605 passes Scania 222 both working Park & Ride
services in George Street on June 26th.
Gavin Francis
Gavin noted that red buses predominate working the 400 on June 28th. Seen above
222 and 313.
602 is seen passing through the roadworks at Botley Road bridge with
service 4A on June 28th.
Park & Ride 672 is seen with a 400 working at the same spot on June 28th.
Brightening up ones day 3 road 682 is seen with a 3A service to Kassam Stadium
on June 28th.
Jack Cooper
MMC 605 is seen with a 2 road service in Magdalen Street West on June 29th.
673 is seen with a 300 road service in Magdalen Street West on June 29th.
901 is seen working an X3 service in Oxford Road, Abingdon on July 1st.
Having moved from the Uxbridge services of Carousel at Wycombe, 514 is now branded for Bicester Village as seen below. The first day in service was June 28th.
Jack Cooper
Hot to trot from June 28th is 514 seen in Bicester Village.
Jack Cooper
Looking pristine at Cowley House, Tourismo 32 rests on June 30th.
A break in the weather and some sunshine helped services in Oxford in the past week.
Gavin Francis
Scania 205 is seen in Broad Street on July 3rd.
Jack Cooper
Scanias 206 and 210 at Cowley House where it may have been that 206 had gained a
super rear advert for drivers.
PMU 971 is seen working service 45 for Berinsfield on July 1st.
Luke Marion
... who has provided pictures of repainted 246.
246 shows the revised Thames Travel livery at Cowley House on July 2nd.
Malcolm Crowe
Not everything goes according to plan and when a problem occurs it is often at a difficult spot.
This Heyfordian school bus failed in Marlow Road, Stokenchurch on June 29th.
Isis are just preparing to recover the ex Dublin E400 LW51ZMZ.
Paul Hawkins
Moffat & Williamson E200 was ex Heyfordian OU08AYF working the
44 in Leven on July 2nd. The bus also spent time in Bournemouth.
Gary Seamarks
Also with a school service - 960 or 963 or both -
GB03MTT passes Friars Square, Aylesbury on July 1st.
Mark Doggett
Mark sends this to show this new coach branded for
Motts on July 1st.
Mark Turner
Mullanys HP08Bus leaving Watford Junction on Saturday, July 3rd heading back to
Harry Potter.
Ciaran Bird
Seen in Oxford's Gloucester Green with a 210 working
is Levante 1 on June 26th.
Gavin Francis
From West Midlands, Caetano 221 is seen leaving
Gloucester Green with a 210 service on June 28th.
New Levante III SH31 seen rounding the junction at
Marble Arch heading for Stansted on July 2nd.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gavin Francis
Two Kingsferry coaches in Putney on July 2nd.
https://poynterscoaches.co.uk/
Jack Cooper
Seen in The Causeway, Abingdon is YN65XDE one supposes working
a private hire on July 1st.
The coach is a Scania OmniExpress seemingly new to Swiftsure of Burton in
September 2015.
including Courtney, Newbury & District &
Thames Valley
Gavin Francis
It appears that Newbury maybe training for the National Express 507 service as seen below ?
Nr 1406 BK15AJX seen in Bulleid Way on June 30th.
Lee Callaway
I have some news about some new services that red eagle
are starting in August
Routes 62/62A will replace route 164 which is being
withdrawn after August
These services will be part of route 61/61A which are
changing on the same day
All the information is on the Passenger Transport Info For Hertfordshire (Intalink) website just go to the changes to bus service page at:
https://www.intalink.org.uk/service-changes
Gary Seamarks
...... was in Aylesbury to see a number of School specials on July 1st.
three of the companies double decks used on the school runs.
Gary Seamarks
...... was in Aylesbury to see a number of School specials on July 1st.
Looking very bright and summery
PG04WHX an East
Lancs Vyking leaves the bus station with a school special. This bus was new to
London United.
https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/media/news-releases/2021/30-06-2021.aspx
with
West
Ciaran Bird
Oxford MMC 10442 is seen overtaking Gold 10991 which is heading for Swindon via
Faringdon on June 25th.
Gavin Francis
Variety on the S6 brings 55 branded Scania 15347 to
Gloucester Green
and then MMC 10988 is seen crossing Botley Road Bridge both on June 28th.
Jack Cooper
Back to the regular allocation for route 853, 28683 is seen turning into Broad
Street on June 29th.
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Oxfordshire
Ciaran Bird
A nice surprise on July 1st was the appearance of the first Oxford fleet bus in the local livery.
47568 is seen arriving and departing from Woodstock on the Burford route.
MMC 10436, which when new worked the 1 is seen near Chipping Norton with an S3
service on June 15th.
Another of same batch of MMCs 10439, now allocated to Witney, is seen with an S1
coming out from under the railway bridge in Botley Road.
The date taken is June 25th.
And another of the same batch and the one I took to a show when new, 10441 is
working the S3 at Wootton Turn on June 27th.
Gold Scania 15830 is seen leaving Oxford Train Station with an S3 to Charlbury
on June 28th.
Gold Scania 28742 is seen heading Oxford bound with an H4 service along the
A4260 from Banbury on June 15th.
I note that these buses appear to have moved to the 500 service and the S4 is
now being worked by 3740* buses instead ?
Gavin Francis
The picture above reflects the move away from Gold
services with S3 branded 15834 working the 2 and behind an MMC working the 7
service.
Taken in Magdalen Street East on June 28th.
Most unusually a double deck, Hybrid 12005, was
working the 14A on June 28th when seen in Magdalen Street East.
Two MMCs are seen ready for service at Horspath Depot on July 3rd.
Jack Cooper
Looking very smart and fresh, Gold 10781 is seen working the 7 to Woodstock on
June 29th.
The Training Fleet seen at Network Oxford on July 3rd. The variety in style and
colour of fleet numbers is noteworthy!
Also at the same location is Dart 34829 awaiting a duty on July 3rd.
Not the best place for the bus to fail, 15835 came to a stop in George Street
causing the temporary closure until it was recovered on July 3rd.
Ciaran Bird
54316 is seen with an X5 service leaving Gloucester Green on June 26th.
Again notice that the destination layout is contrary to the rules when the route
number should be nearest the pavement - i.e. opposite to that seen.
I believe that the default on the blinds is set for a right hand side route
display which should be changed by the progammer.
Martyn Sacaloff
............. these Gold buses having just arrived at Northampton from Gloucester.
After arrival from West at Gloucester, 15842, 15843 & 15844 are seen on June 28th.Check at this link to see recent photos from Martyn which are from a wide variety of locations:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10226568806956450&set=pb.1534651426.-2207520000..
Ciaran Bird
As noted in recent days the older ex megabus Astromegas have been taking a share of the work to London.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stop Press
The latest news is that the four ex megabus Astromegas are to be replaced with four Panoramas but more details are still sketchy.
Gavin Francis
Due to rebuilding works to the building in Buckingham Palace Road where stop 10 is located, the terminus for the service to Oxford a change has been made to use a stop on Elizabeth Bridge from June 28th 2021.
A number of pictures below reflect this change:
Above are terminating coaches now on Elizabeth Bridge in London from June 28th.
The change continues above on June 30th.
Above is stop 10 as it was on June 28th with work taking place to the upper
level of the building.
Ciaran Bird
Running out of Oxford is 54275 on June 26th.GavGavin Francis
This picture of 54280 passing over Botley Road bridge on June 28th shows the part closure of this bottle neck in the area.
50291 was on the M20, surely this should have been a
Panorama on June 28th ? Unless it was a Dupe!
The Villager
Ciaran Bird
...... caught up with this recent addition to the Villager fleet.
A Volkswagen Transporter from The Village is seen near Enstone on June 15th.
Ciaran Bird
.......paid a visit to the depot at Enstone on June 15th and provides us with pictures of the current fleet.
Part of the present fleet.
Four of the fleet which is predominately Volvo with some others.
Two more of the varied fleet which has a number of Plaxton bodied Volvos.
London operators
Gavin Francis
2021
Gavin has provided pictures of the buses involved in the event each year. In 2021 there doesn't seem to be a service from London but there are in Wimbledon itself. Gavin's pictures date from July 2nd.
The service involved is the 840 from Wimbledon Station to the Championships.
Two of the open toppers in use to the event in Wimbledon.
E284 from the Commercial Fleet was also in use.
Three EN class, EN1, 10 and 13 in use to the event in Wimbledon.
Not quite as many services as in earlier years but still interesting.
Gavin also took pictures in Putney on the same day.
9512 is seen at Putney with a 414 working, which I used to see when working at Marble Arch some 5 years ago.
Another recent wrap is for Sanex seen at Marble Arch working the 137 on July
2nd.
Optare MetroDeckers are now operating the 200 through Wimbledon as seen by Me5 on July 2nd.
E20D MMC SE294 is seen in Putney with a 378 service to Mortlake.
Stagecoach
E400 19132 is seen at Marble Arch on July 2nd with a good load.
Looking well for a 16 plate 125 seen at Marble Arch on July 2nd.
https://www.tootbus.com/en/london/home
Some buses have been repainted others just rebranded with VLE618 and VXE736 in
both liveries on June 28th.
First known as:
Read about the change at the link below:
https://www.ukinbound.org/member-news/the-original-tour-rebrands-to-tootbus-london/
Grahame Wareham visits London
I had the occasion to accompany my wife to a hospital appointment at the UCH, Euston Road on Wednesday, June 30th. I had a few hours to kill before heading home and being born and bred in the capital I decided to visit my favourite London pub, The Southampton Arms, near Gospel Oak, not far from where we used to live in West Hampstead. I walked to St' Pancras and caught the 214, a Moorgate to Highgate Village service which drops you right outside the pub.
SEe82 and 77 working the 214 mentioned above.
The buses on the 214 are two year old BYD/ADL
Enviro 200 EV's and when they can get going in the traffic seem quite agile,
however I'm told they need 15 buses to run the actual route plus 4 spare being
'on charge' for changeovers as the 214 is a 24hr service. Personally I think
that is quite a heavy financial bus investment for such a short route but
perhaps not quite as heavy as the investment in the NBFL Borismasters, of which
I saw many, and none of them seemed to be 'running silently'! I'm told most of
them run on diesel power all the time now as their electrical infrastructure
only has a short life!
LT537 working the 73 to Oxford Circus.
I try and visit my old stamping grounds about every two
years but I must say I was glad to get the train back to Oxford
Parkway...............London no longer has that nostalgic appeal to me!
Michael Wadman
Here are a few more photos of Z & S Travel.
Former London Transport Leyland Titan T891 (A891SYE) in Eastcheap doing a DLR
replacement on November 6th 1999
G708HOP, another former West Midlands Travel Mercedes 709D/Carlyle, at Milton
Keynes station on service 131,July 7th 2002
Another former London Transport Leyland Titan, T435 (KYV435X) way out of Z&S’s
normal area in Morden
on Northern Line rail replacement, June 30th 2002.
J159GAT, Dennis Dart / Plaxton formerly London United DR59, at Princes
Risborough station on route 321, March 29th 2004
And one from Gloucester Citybus (Stagecoach).
Cheltenham & Gloucester no 844 (M844EMW)
working
Paul Bateson on developments in Ontario, Canada
The Ontario Government has deregulated the inter city
bus business effective today, 1st July 2021 although it prefers to call it inter
community. It all looks good although my concern is that bus companies
only need to give 48 hours notice of any changes including cancellations.
That compares to the UK where I believe it is 45 days notice.
So far a company called Rider Express has been operating in Western Canada but
has expanded to Ontario. On 28 June 2021 it started a Toronto to Ottawa
route and on 12th July is supposed to be starting a Toronto to Windsor service.
This replaces Greyhound Canada which has withdrawn completely from Canada.
Ontario Makes it Easier for Businesses to Offer Transportation Services
New Actions Will Increase Transportation Options
for People Across Ontario June 30, 2021 |
||
TORONTO – The Ontario government is cutting red
tape and making it easier for companies to provide passenger
transportation services between communities in Ontario effective July 1,
2021. This is part of the province’s efforts to improve transportation
options for Ontarians as the province recovers from the COVID-19
pandemic. “Under the previous system it was difficult for
businesses that offered bus service to begin operating on a new route,
even in situations where there was no service being offered,” said
Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “By cutting red tape, we
are making it easier for carriers to offer transportation services to
communities where there is a need.” Previously, one carrier was given a licence to
operate a certain route for a particular destination or city. Effective
July 1, carriers do not need a license to operate a new route and
multiple carriers may offer service along the same or complimentary
routes, helping to improve travel options for Ontarians. Safety was a critical
consideration while consulting with industry on ways to modernize the
sector. Intercommunity passenger transportation carriers will still be
required to meet
safety requirements under the
Highway Traffic Act
and through the
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration process. |
||
Quick Facts
|
Nothing to include this week.
Paul Hawkins
........ saw two of the new Volvo 9700 coaches on his travels.
https://www.lochsandglens.com/
https://www.parksofhamiltonbookings.co.uk/Action/ViewHome
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The next pictures from Martyn Sacaloff are interesting to me as I drove for Harpers of Heath Hayes services from Cannock and lived in near Penkridge served now by select.
Pictures from Martyn Sacaloff in Cannock
Following the recent sale of Arriva Cannock to Chaserider here a six buses still in Arriva livery but with Chaserider fleet names and numbers.More pictures via this link.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10226567677328210&set=pb.1534651426.-2207520000..
https://www.selectbusservices.com/
Pictures from Martyn Sacaloff in Stafford
Further Arriva sold buses include these two above which were originally at Cannock.All the buses above were originally with Arriva Midlands part of the company The Shires are today, hence my interest.
Purfleet in June as follows …..
VEHICLES IN.
From First Devon and Cornwall : Volvo B7TL’s LT52WWG /
WWP.
From Thames Valley Buses : Versa’s YJ65EVN / EVM
Solo YJ13HJY
From Lothian Buses : SN08BXO / BXP / BXR / BXS / BXU /
BXX / BXY / BXZ / BYA / BYB / BYC / BYD / BYF / BYG.
From RATP London : Scanias YN08DHJ
YN56FCC / FCD / FCE / FCF / FCG / FCJ / FBA.
From Stagecoach Highlands : Volvo B12B SV59CHY
VEHICLES OUT.
Tridents T819 / 820RFG : First Devon and Cornwall
Volvo B11RTs BX65WDA / WDD Volvo B7RLE’s
SN57DCX / DDF : Ipswich Buses.
E400s LK58KHU / LK58CNV / LK57AXF : Warrington Buses
B9TL’s SN57GNO SN08BXC / BXD / BXJ / BXM :
York Pullman.
E400 LK58KHO : Aintree Coachlines.
Volvo B9TL SN57DFK : Keane Travel, Stanford-le-Hope,
Essex.
Volvo B9TLs SN57DFF / DFG / DFL / GNP / GMO : Marshalls
Coaches, Leighton Buzzard.
Volvo B7L LX05KNZ Volvo B7TL
LK04HYS : Seven Sisters Bus and Coach, Eastbourne.
Volvo B7L LX05KNZ : The Reform Party.
Volvo B9TL SN57GMU : Grant Palmer, Dunstable.
Trident LK51UYE : First Devon and Cornwall.
Volvo B9TLs BF62UYA / UYB / UYC / UYE / UYG
BN61MXG / MXL / MXC / MXF : Tyrers Coaches, Adlington, Lancs
Volvo B9TL BN61MWZ : Coach Services, Thetford.
Volvo B9R YY63OJD : First Scotland.
ENSIGN FLEET.
Three more E400s are being used temporarily on TFL
schools to release seat belted buses for private hire work. They are :
901 SN11BTU
902 SN11BPY
903 SN12EHC