Oxford, High Wycombe & surrounding areas

updated Sunday 3rd December 2000
The next update will be on Sunday 10th December 2000

Please note that any comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way constitute 
any official points of view from the bus companies mentioned,  or indeed any other official body. 
As a news page we reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of view.

Problems with the pictures ! - sometimes it seems that the pictures do not load.
I have found a solution which does work normally - 
RIGHT CLICK ON THE PICTURE AND THEN CLICK ON "SHOW PICTURE"
Good luck !

As always a little interesting snippet of the transport scene in Malmo bring this little fellow, a street train electrically powered and operating to a deprived suburb in the Swedish City of Malmo. Wouldn't this be fun in Oxford, maybe more successful than the electric buses of the last decade. Certainly this train/tram has very easy access and seems user friendly.

Named "Christer" and operating on a half hourly frequency, the little electric train is seen at Sodervarn,
a suburban terminus in Malmo.

The local news this week was headed by a piece on Radio Oxford concerning the withdrawal of bus services by the Oxford bus company in the Herschel Crescent area of the city. This was caused, it is alleged by parked cars, larger buses and the need to reduce services due to staff shortages. Needless to say the local residents are up in arms and it was suggested by the programme/news item that the service would be reinstated. The route in question is the 16 from the city to Minchery Farm.

Christmas is almost upon us and the city of Oxford is becoming very busy. Traders report a 20% drop in trade over the past year, it is claimed as a result of OTS. Certainly last Saturday was very busy and many buses were running full. services to london were also very well utilised and on Friday morning the 0400hrs to Heathrow and Gatwick "burst" as a result of many students breaking for Christmas and returning home.

Saturday dawned sunny and for the first time in many weeks a reasonable day followed. Photography was easier but still not perfect since the sun is now so low in the sky and the city streets are often very dull. However a number of interesting pictures were secured including one of the station area which is the scene of much development. The new buildings in the old station area are nearing completion and should make a most interesting backdrop.

Stagecoach Oxford Olympian 524 emerges from under the Rail Station bridge on its way into the city 
from Witney on service 100. The new buildings can be seen to the left of the picture. The mid afternoon
sun is low in the sky casting shadows on all but the most open of streets.

When I spoke to a reporter at Radio Oxford he asked my views on the use of mobile telephones by bus drivers in Oxford. It seems the station is most interested in this matter. Of course all companies have rules forbidding drivers to use phones whilst driving but it seems that drivers continue to use phones regardless and one can only hope an accident does not result which would bring the matter to the fore of discussion and debate.

Company reports - to 3rd December 2000

Airlinks/Jetlink (Cambridge Coach)

A change of location this week provided a nice shot of one of the blue and grey Jetlink coaches operating through West Wycombe. This village, on the A40, still has very narrow streets and since the revision of the timetable on the 757/767, which sees the services calling at Stokenchurch, West Wycombe is now not served. The coaches run non-stop from high Wycombe to Stokenchurch and v.v.

308 runs through West Wycombe on its way to Stokenchurch and Oxford last Saturday morning.

Oxford Bus Company (City of Oxford Motor Services)

Christmas shoppers returning to their cars on the Park & Ride services provided heavy loadings, especially on the 300 to Redbridge. Extra buses were drafted in to cope with the rush and unusually Dart 501 was pressed into service. It is seen below loading in St Aldates on Saturday afternoon.

The operator which had a problem with fire damage was Wilts and Dorset. As a result much travelled Olympian 214 has been sent to help along with sister 222.  The are based at Poole depot and I am hoping someone may have the opportunity to get a photo or two of the visitors. They are expected to stay in Poole until next Easter.

Volvo 639 is presently in the paintshop. As a result of work on these types, Darts are often appearing on 2 road duties between Kidlington and Barton. Thursday saw 510, 512, 513 and 515 all on through workings.

Stagecoach Oxford.  

The old trainers have now all but gone except for Bristol LH 1010 which remains at Horspath sub depot. One presumes that so far no buyer has been found.

Dart MPD 100 has been seen operating on the 101 to Watlington, a route which would seem ideal for this bus. 

Rumours in Stokenchurch suggest that Stagecoach may be intending to operate a feeder service from the village to Lewknor/M40 Junction 6 to connect with the Tube service to London. Many people presently use the services from junction 6, although the other day a lady leaving a returning london service was molested in the darkness as she went to her car. so it seems something should be done to improve this useful service. 

WYCOMBE BUS COMPANY

Dart 521 is in Oxford works being prepared for an overall advertising livery. It may be sometime before it is ready as it is to be sent away for spray painting in the base colour. Other details, such as the sponsor , are not known. Olympian 235 was in works for PSV as was Dart 527.

Oxford Darts are still on loan though these seem to change often. According to the allocation board in Oxford 503 and 504 are now in Wycombe !

  PHOTO CORNER
If anyone has a digital camera and wishes to submit photos for this page please send them to the above email.

Volvo B10BLE 810 is seen nearing the end of its journey from Blackbird Leys in the bus only area near the station.

Arriva 5104 leaves St Aldates on its way To Aylesbury last Saturday. It appears the destination screen is u/

Swanbrook Leyland Tiger B120UUD, ex Oxford Citylink, leaving Oxford on its way to Cheltenham & Gloucester

Wycombe Bus Volvo 627, again ex Oxford Bus, traversing the narrow road through West Wycombe on
its way to high Wycombe from Oxford last Saturday morning. 

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