delayed due to technical problems

Editorial

As ever we have a great selection of pictures from contributors which do so much to make this page what it has become.

Red Rose have received some of the planned E20D MMC's from Whitelaws of Stonehouse and Tony Bungay has caught up with two of these buses as seen under Red rose in the Fleet News below.


Maybe the first day in Red Rose service for JW65GSW leaving Aylesbury with a route 17 to Bicester on August 11th.

Bus services to Kassam relaunch for Oxford United games

OXFORD United fans will be able to travel by bus to the Kassam Stadium now football grounds are welcoming back supporters.

In partnership with the U’s, Thames Travel is relaunching its match day bus services for fans.

The OX2, OX3 and OX7 services will return on Saturday for the Sky Bet League One match against Charlton Athletic. The OX2 connects Abingdon and Didcot with the Kassam, and picks up in Drayton and Steventon, while the OX3 and OX7 services bring fans to and from games from Carterton, Brize Norton, Witney, Eynsham, Botley, Kidlington, Summertown, Marston and Headington.

Phil Southall, Thames Travel managing director, said: “It is great to see fans returning back to Oxford United this season following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. “As partners of the football club, we are pleased to have reaffirmed our Football Special service to help supporters attend matches and support their local club.”

James Freeman

James was on hand to catch the Thames Travel services and the coaches of the visiting team - Charlton Athletic. The coaches were from Bayliss Coaches of Dover, Kent.

   
247, in the latest livery, 933 in the older livery and 942 still Go Ahead London livery all seen at The Kassam Stadium on August 14th.

   
MM16BAY, V30BAY (new as YX15OVG) and the team coach V123BAY which is also used for other teams.

Well recorded by James, best news the U's won 2 - 1. Well done.

 Local changes

Paul Coley

Check out the Bucks CC website. Additional major changes from Red Rose and Redline from mid September. Increasing their 60 to run hourly v Arriva to Buckingham, plus every 15 minutes to Wycombe (Red Line) matching Arriva.

Serving Haddenham Church End on their 120 service, which Arriva abandoned years ago, plus hourly to Chesham from Aylesbury, via Stoke Mandeville village again…

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/buses-and-trains/changes-to-bus-services/

Ciaran Bird


Freshly repainted 47658 is seen  by Blenheim Palace, Woodstock on August 9th.


Gold 10779 is seen in the countryside near Charlbury with an S3 working on August 12th.


Woodstock is a picturesque town seen with 10783 working the S3 on August 9th. 

Martin Isles

Showbus

A decision has been made to go ahead with the SHOWBUS display on Sunday, September 26th at the Hertfordshire County Showground rather than repeating the very successful Covid-friendly flyby of 2020.  For those who enjoyed the flyby, it will be back in 2022 as part of our SHOWBUS 50 celebrations, the week before the Showground display – and will be extended at the east end back to Brunel University where the first event took place in January 1973.

We are making some changes to the Showground display for 2021 to ensure the safety of visitors and entrants.  Whilst the gates will be open from 0830 for entrants, they will remain closed to the general public - except for a limited number of pre-booked visitors - until 1100h to avoid, as best as possible, the usual crush of photographers at the gate.  So please try to arrive by 1100h, though we will still let you in if you cannot reach us by then.  Obviously, you and your passengers will have full access to the site from when you arrive, so please do your best to avoid crowding the entry area.  We are slightly changing the entry layout to provide a longer stretch before buses branch off to their various parking spots.

Traders stalls in the Showbus Traders Village will be spaced further apart than usual to also enable social distancing and hand sanitiser stations will be available on site.

Whipsnade Zoo is continuing to restrict visitor numbers and will not be offering the generous discount as last time.  If you wish to visit the Zoo it will be necessary to pre-book on their website.  In consequence the bus service to the Zoo will be reduced to half hourly and start at 1100h.  The feeder bus services from St Albans, Luton and others will also start arriving for 11:00 hrs.

Whilst the Zoo is restricting access, we do have a different attraction for those around on Saturday with a Music Festival taking place on the Showground from 1400h to 2200h, and you can park your bus up ready for the Sunday.  Sorry but you cannot stop in the bus overnight in the grounds.  You can however enjoy a discount on admission to the festival – see showbus.com/display for details.  Another treat to look out for is reduced subscription to Coach & Bus Week magazine, pick up a flyer with the code on from the CBW Yutong near SHOWBUS control on the day.

We hope you will be able to join us at the Showground for the biggest bus and coach show of the year on September 26th.  Stay safe and do your best to keep others safe on the day.


https://showbus.com/


Seems that those double jabbed are now free to move around more and the 16-18s are going to be offered their jabs. 


Fleet news and developments

I am pleased to provide this months allocation list from Arriva for your interest.

Pictures 168/Arriva/SR Enthusiast Fleet 3 Aug 21.xlsx

Planning a trip to Warner Bros. Studios this summer? Why not travel in comfort on one of our luxury coaches which will drop you at the studio bus stop, just a 3 minute walk to the main gate:

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/find-a-service/748-758-768-green-line-hemel-hempstead-to-london-victoria 

Richard Sharman

Arriva respond to Redline's X20 introduction!

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4517017/x20-redline-buses-september-2021.pdf

Ciaran Bird


E400 5460 is seen in Frideswide Square on August 10th working the 280.


Seen outside the train station are 5464 with an X8 and 5463 with the next 280 on August 10th.

Gavin Francis

.... spent some time in High Wycombe catching up with local operations by Arriva on August 11th.


This Solo SR is unique in High Wycombe but gives reliable service as seen working the 33 having been new to Derby.

 
The 30 is a local route to Downley and here seen working the 30.  This was new to Shrewsbury and has had a chequered career.
Its history makes interesting reading as shown below.
New to Shrewsbury 5/02, to Wednesfield 1/15, to Tamworth 4/17, to Derby 12/17, to High Wycombe 6/18, reinstated at Telford 9/18.
Then to Cannock 11/18, to Oswestry 12/18, to Telford 2/19 and finally to High Wycombe 1/21.


Versa 2992 seen coming out of Bridge Street with a 37 service to Maidenhead is one of two such buses at Wycombe.
New to Oswestry in 2009 it came to Wycombe in March 2019.


Citaro 3030 was new for The Olympics in 2012 and is now based at Aylesbury seen working the 300 out of Bridge Street.


Citaro 3038 is the most recent repaint at High Wycombe having been new to Harlow in 2006 for the Green Line 724 service.


Originally 3746 with Arriva, renumbered 3646 to avoid confusion it is the only remaining M A N 14.240 with MCW Evolution  bodywork
in working  service the remaining ones in this batch being converted to driver trainers.

 
When new these Citaros served the 321 Luton - Watford route but have now been at Wycombe for some time.
3915 is working the competitive X30 service to Princes Risborough and 3919 working the 48 local service.


Branded for the 280, 5461 is seen working a 300 service out of Bridge Street.


These must be nearing the end of their life with Arriva, only three now being based at Wycombe. Quite good on the local hills
6000 is still in old livery was new to London bus service for the 142 in Watford.

Many thanks to Gavin for that update.

Nick  Ross


Seen inside Aylesbury bus station 6413 is flanked by 5468 on August 11th. 

Ciaran Bird


Scania Irizar UPV487 with Bakers Dolphin at Wootton Turn on August 11th.

 

Gavin Francis


Unlike its sisters L23URG is only partially branded for Flixbus by Linburg working service 005 in Elizabeth Street on August 12th.


Two 21 plate coaches, the first from Thandi, the second from Ridleys and one of the newest in use with Flixbus on August 12th.


Turners CC18WEB working Flixbus 043 to Bath seen in Elizabeth Street on August 12th.



Matters concerning the three companies.

Phil Southall - Managing Director.

243 to 248 are all in the process of being repainted, the first 3 in Red for Carousel and the last 3 in Green for TT.  

You might be interested to hear that 839 is on loan to Nu Venture Travel in Kent for the month of August to help with the vaccination effort down there. 

We are expecting 943 and 944 back from refurbishment soon, but no dates yet. They will be going to TT.  FYI 943 and 944 are ex Metrobus 968 and 969 - 59 plate Scania DD. We have had them for many months but are refurbishing them to a very high standard!

OCBP referred to these two buses in Weekly Briefing nr 135 from December 23rd 2020 including pictures from Gavin Francis of the two in question.

https://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/Weekly%20nr%20135%20211220.html  

316 and 317 are away being converted from hybrid to Euro VI diesel in Scarborough. We plan to do two more when they return - probably 313 and 314.  

Gavin Francis

.... on his visit to Wycombe on August 11th.

 
A nice sunny day greets Wright 402 with a 102 and Scania 218 working the 39 to Totteridge both in Oxford Street.


After a few weeks idle M A N 421 is seen working the 27 in Bridge Street.

   
Citaro variety with 859 working The One, ex London's 880 with the 101 followed by 883 with the 104.


Wright Pulsar Gemini DAF VDL DB300 ex London Central WDL1 now 938 with Carousel at Wycombe. Quite a unique vehicle !


An ex Go-Ahead London WVL, 940 is seen in Bridge Street with a 104 service.


Sprinter 45 979 also seen in Bridge Street probalby with a staff bus working. 

James Freeman


Sprinter 980 has returned from repaint and is seen at Cowley House on August 13th.
Interesting to note that 45 although allocated to Thames Travel is also seen in this picture. 

Ciaran Bird

Buses in Oxford on August 10th ....


Chilternrailways wrap 602 with a 4 road service.

Gavin Francis


Brookes branded MMC 608 is seen in Magdalen Street East ready to work the 2A to Kidlington on August 13th.

Guy Watts


Reliveried 662 is seen at OxfordTrain Station with a 5 road service on August 11th.

James Freeman


683 working the 11X at Queens Lane on August 13th. 

James Freeman

James has produced a video of Airline coaches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOrtvWch5FE

Ciaran Bird


451 is seen in Broad Street with a University background on August 10th working the ST1.


852 on an ST2 short between Rail Station and the JR on the same day.


Ex London Go Ahead 942 with an ST1 working in Broad Street on August 10th.

Jack Cooper


Scania 213 with a super rear wrap seen in St Aldates on August 14th. 

Gary Seamarks

Grant Palmer are obtaining another decker by reports I have seen, ex Lothian, perhaps this will spell the end of the Scanias bought for the Busway in 2013. 

Nick Ross


Unbranded? Grant Palmer DART YT51EAJ parked up for lunch at Leighton Buzzard station on August 12th 2021. 

Ciaran Bird


West Midlands based 220 is seen with a 210 working on August 10th.
Interesting is the fleet number above the driver's window - LA220 indicating it is Luton based ????

Gavin Francis


Edwards BU18OTB running round to departures via Elizabeth Street on August 13th.


Another Edwards coach, this time Levante III BV19XRP with a 403 service to Bath on Augus 12th.


Lucketts (part of NEx) BV69KTJ heading for VCS departures along Buckingham Palace Road with an 035 to Poole on August 12th.


Reading's 1416 leaving George Street with a 210 service to Heathrow on August 13th.

James Freeman

James has produced a short video of coaches in Oxford.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3EXZV3F7V0 

Ciaran Bird


Ex 20D MMC YX69NUK in Botley Road with a 63 service on August 10th. 

  
including Courtney, Newbury & District & Thames Valley

Gavin Francis


Gavin caught 795 with a 702 service in Buckingham Palace Road on August 12th.

Gavin Francis

 
E200's working the 130 service on August 11th - LJ09KPL (ex Arriva London ENL46) and YX08MDV (ex London United SDE 20202)

Tony Bungay

I have yet to read in more depth your latest edition, however I noted one of your contributors commented that Red Rose had been using a Double Decker on their new 17 service to Bicester, I also saw this but was unable to a photo.

 
Two pictures a dew days later showing two of the ex Whitelaws E20Ds in service on the  17.

Wonder if similar vehicles are planned for the X20? 

West

Stagecoach Gloucester 

We're holding an event at Gloucester Quays on Wednesday, August 18th 2021, 11am - 3pm, to celebrate the introduction of 21 new vehicles into Gloucester.

Our brand-new buses will be on display, so it's a great opportunity to try them out. We'll also be talking to the public about our improved connections between Gloucester and Cheltenham, as we introduce more frequent buses at the end of the month. 

We also have entertainment for customers, including our 'Wheel of Fortune' where customers can win free bus travel and vouchers for coffee and brownies from new local coffee shop, Brew & Bake. We'll have a drawing station for the younger children, where they can colour in their very own bus.

Gavin Francis


West Gold 15969 not route branded with an S6 service in Park End Street on August 8th.

Oxfordshire

Ciaran Bird

 
Late July:  36109 at Wootton Turn on a 7 and 15831 in Charlbury on July 27th.


Solo 47658 in Woodstock on August 9th.

Gavin Francis


MMC 10675 with a new super rear on August 12th.


MMC 11235 with an S1 in Park End Street on August 8th.


Gold 15832 with an S8 service in St Aldates on August 8th.

Jack Cooper


Gold 15761 is seen working a 27 local service in Bicester on August 14th.


E200 36108, now minus Manchester stickers, with a B9 in Banbury on August 14th.


New livery 36111, also seemingly minus Manchester stickers, is seen working a B5 in Banbury on August 14th.


With the withdrawal of the Gold Scanias from the S4 here we see 37401, still resplendent in Midland Red heritage livery,
working along Banbury Road on August 14th.

Kevin Fitzpatrick

A couple of pictures from the country lanes just north of Tackley for you from this morning, August 14th. 


28745
had a bit of an altercation with a moron driving too fast around a corner at Rousham,
after clearing stuff with the car driver we carried on in service to where the driver could get signal to call depot.
Here it is out of service while we waited for a replacement vehicle 


Also, while waiting, 37404 climbs out of Tackley in the opposite direction.

Sadly Bedford have begun replacing the coaches on the X5 with MMC deckers. Below are pictures from Gavin Francis recording this in Gloucester Green, Oxford and his pictures from the last time a decker was trialled on this route !

Gavin Francis

MMC's working the X5 Oxford-Bedford


10679 is seen arriving in Oxford on August 12th.


10678 is seen next to West's 10990 making a comparison between the two variations on August 13th.

 
new liveried 11279, Cpt. Sir Tom Moore, in Gloucester Green on August 13th.
Have the Ministry rules changed or shouldn't the destination say Buckingham for Bedford to comply with tacho rules ??

Decker trials on the X5 in 2007

     
Olympian 16209 working the X5 on March 12th 2007 at Gloucester Green, Oxford.
I think the trial failed as there was insufficient room for bikes and luggage ??

Gary Seamarks

Bedford bits... the X5 is going to E400mmc for cost reasons, assume they use less fuel that the Elites !. Bet customers on shorter journey will be happier with easier access, perhaps cutting dwell times at stops.

Timetables for the new 72 (Biggleswade ) route are out, its running hourly but as the route is via Potton not very attractive to end-to-end passengers, who will opt for the slightly faster 73 or perhaps Grant Palmers 74 which does a different route in half the time, the 73 is also being revised to run every hour, presently every 30 minutes so in effect a loss to some stops on-route.

Jack Cooper


Still working the X5 on August 14th was 54302 seen in Bicester. 

Ciaran Bird


50436 on X9 in Botley Road on August 10th.

Gavin Francis


Yet again Euro 5 50223 in use at London's Elizabeth Bridge on August 4th.

Gavin Francis


Quaint named Megasaurous 54290 running round to VCS for an M10 to Cardiff on August 12th.


M P Travel's MP21MPT in Elizabeth Street en route to VCS  for an M15 Manchester departure on August 13th. 

 

Ciaran Bird


August: IRZ616 at Wootton Turn, presumably resting between drop off/pick up on a private job.

Ciaran Bird

Photos for OCBP

 
Late July: JFZ6097 (L908NWW) (20th) and SJ16CVL at Worth's Garage (23rd) with WR02RVX by Wootton Turn (22nd).

London operators

Gavin Francis


Ex Cambridge, 13808 seen at work in London on August 12th. 

Michael Wadman

A few more shots of Buffalo Bus. 


No 27 (K447XPA), Dennis Dart / Plaxton, in Watford on service 311,  January 25th 1994. 


No 47 (NIB8459, formerly E637NEL).
This Volvo B10M-61 was formerly a Plaxton coach with Kings Ferry, was acquired by Buffalo in fire-damaged condition and rebodied by East Lancs.
In Bletchley bus station on June 27th 1994. 


No 59 (H231KBH, formerly CMN414C), former Isle of Man Transport MB 709D / Carlyle, in Bletchley bus station on service 30, July 8th 1994. 


No 42 (H642UWE), Mercedes 814D / Whittaker, new to Globe Coaches of Barnsley, in Bletchley bus station on service 98 in August 1994. 


No 27 again, at Watford Junction on service 311, August 27th 1994.

...and a few from Gloucester in early Stagecoach days.


Cheltenham & Gloucester 970 in Gloucester on June 30th 2001.


Marshall 32937in Dursley on April 10th 2004.
This was new to Wyatt - Glossopdale.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andy Churchill

It’s good to be back and I have been going through my collection of photos these three Blasts from the past and the Striped variety Of Stagecoach Oxfordshire in the late 1990’s and early 2000s

 


 33653 (R153CRW) on route 10 in St. Aldates

 


22923 (S923CFC) in Oxford high street on route 7A Towards Barton when the route went all the Way from Kidlington

 


802 ( R802YUD) on route X39 seen at Heathrow Central bus Station I hope that these will bring back a few memories.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Malcolm Crowe

Looking back in Devon ....


The Rapide was an effort by National Express in this case using Metroliner deckers - R264OFJ - for this 501 service to London on August 6th 1999.
The bus was new to Trathens and had a chequered career in its later life with a number of operators.


Stagecoach Devon 959 leaving Paignton Bus Station with a service 12 on August 6th 1999.


At some stage this ex Portsmouth Leyland PD2 spent time in Oxford but is seen here in Devon on August 6th 1999.


Wallace Arnold also operated as Wallace Arnold Devon using coaches such as this Leopard seen in Paignton on August 6th 1999.

Around this time I did some weekend driving for Rexquote driving various lovely old buses.


This Daimler single deck was a challenge to drive but gave a very smooth ride for tourists. Seen behind me on August 7th 1999.
It was a Daimler DCVD6SD / Willowbrook B35F new in 1950 to Bullock & Sons Ltd, Featherstone, Yorkshire.

For those with a liking for Wallace Arnold the picture below should bring back memories of their base at Leeds.


Taken on February 17th 2000. 

Theo Freeman

In my opinion the new venue for the festival is a huge downgrade compared to the Motor Museum. There are hardly any facilities and one large shed which was half full with traders. Unfortunately with the size of the area it made the turn out look very small, but a good day none the less. 

Gary Seamarks

Few from Sunday, August 8th with a trip to Brighton for the day, first time on a train since Oct 2019. Thameslink give decent fares on the direct line with a group save for 4 coming in at £62 !

Day was a typical summers day as the photos show ! starting wet and getting better, place was not its normal busy but people around.

Think I have covered most of the B H D fleet which is unique perhaps in being all decker or bendi's on the 25.


bendi 108 - BD57WDL working route 26, ex London General Mercedes Citaro artic MAL101 .

 
Recent ADL MMCs for B&H are 330 YX69NWT working the 5A and 351 YX70OJW working route 1.

 
Older buses work the 77 as seen by 418 - BJ11XHU and 419 - BJ11XHV. These are Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2's


Colourful wrap for 469 - BK13OAO seen in Brighton.

 
Decked in traditional livery, 816 is working the 26 and 827 seen working the 7.

 
B&H also run the City Sightseeing Service in the town - 920 - YN06NYL which started life in 2007 with a roof.


B & H 936 named Dame Anna Neagle is Wrightbus StreetDeck

 


Very like the two buses due for Thames Travel and mentioned above, 970 is seen working the 271 in Brighton.


MMC 10946 is seen arriving in Brighton with a 700 coastliner service from Littlehampton on August 8th.

I seem to remember travelling to Worthing from Brighton and back in STAGECOACH Southdown days by 306 (F306MYJ) a Volvo B10M with NCME body in Green and Cream livery. Ed.

Many thanks to Gary for these pictures

Kevin Fuller

I had a visit to my 'home' city of Portsmouth on August 1st to visit the Provincial Society bus rally at Stokes Bay, near Gosport and (of course!) managed a few pictures of contemporary First vehicles on the way.... 


33896, SN14TRV is an Alexander Dennis Enviro 400, one of three in this livery for Portsmouth Park & Ride duties.
It is seen at the P&R car park at Tipner on August 1st.


63308, SN65OLO is a Wright Streetlite Max, branded for the 'Solent Ranger' X4/X5 services between Southampton and Portsmouth/Gosport respectively.
It was photographed laying over between X5 duties at Gosport bus station. 


Also seen at Gosport bus station is 67176, YX66WBO, an Alexander Dennis Enviro 200MMC, in 'Eclipse' livery, departing on service E2 to Fareham.
This service uses the 'busway' which is a (non guided) bus only corridor, built on part of the trackbed of the closed Fareham to Gosport railway line.

Many thanks to Kevin, it is always interesting to see First in other areas.