Oxford, High Wycombe & surrounding areas
from THE OXFORD BUS PAGE

updated Thursday 17th January 2002
the next update will be on Sunday 20th January 2002

  Issue nr. 181

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 !

Visit the Archive Pages going back to 1998

Your reports are welcome at malcolmhc@aol.com

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let me know on malcolmhc@aol.com

Welcome to this delayed Issue 181, the delay being caused by 'flu and my usual weekly absence in Amsterdam. I really must apologise and am sorry also not to be using so much of the most interesting information you have sent to me over the past 10 days. I will be using it but this will be in a bumper edition this coming Sunday. Tonight is an interim issue. Nevertheless it does contain some nice photos and good information.

Perhaps one major item of interest which has been posted by two correspondents today is that permission has be obtained by Stagecoach Oxford to proceed with the new depot north of Kidlington. further information will be given as it becomes available.

Another item of interest this week is the 40th birthday of the new M.D. of The Oxford Bus Company, Philip Kirk. This was celebrated in a novel way by other members of the company. They arranged for posters to be affixed to the side of Trident 102, an event which I believe to be a first in my years of following the fortunes of the U.K. bus industry.

Oxford Bus Trident 102 is seen here at Grovelands last Saturday displaying the
Birthday Greetings to M.D. Philip Kirk, whilst working football service 602.

As a further enhancement 102 also gained a special destination for the occasion.

HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY TO PHILIP KIRK
from The Oxford Bus Page.

Another event of great note was the use of an RLH once again on the 336 from Amersham to Watford last Saturday. Carousel Buses of High Wycombe took over the 336 from Arriva the previous Monday and to celebrate the occasion an RLH was invited to run a special service last Saturday. RLH came down from its home in Northampton and a group of enthusiasts joined the old veteran on the special journey. Some 30 or more people turned out on what was a chilly Saturday and the old girl gave an excellent account of herself on the climb to Amersham Station. I took a number of photos by the old garage and then dashed up to the Station where the shot below was secured as she turned the corner from under the railway bridge. You could here her coming for along time before she actually appeared. Reader Nigel Peach joined me and we both enjoyed the morning very much indeed.

RLH48 heels over as she turns into the station approach at Amersham last Saturday.
Well loaded the AEC Regent had made a fine climb up the long hill from Amersham Broadway
carrying a good load of passengers.

I now give a short report from the companies and will give the full update on Sunday next.

News from the companies - 17th January 2002

Arriva serving The Shires & Essex

Arriva's 3059 loads in Old Amersham on its way to Berkhampsted from Slough, the routing of the 353.

Carousel M737 works a Saturday mid morning service to Watford, preceeded by
RLH48 seen standing in the bus lay-by which is in front of what was Amersham Depot

The Leyland Lynxs, recently purchased by Oxford Bus, for use as driver trainers are now
entering service. for the first time in recent years, Oxford training buses proclaim their
ownership and look very smart indeed. Only Leopard T4 remains in service from the old fleet
and will shortly be replaced by the third Lynx. Leopard T2 has gone to Ireland and of course
T1 is going to the local bus museum.

An unusual working reported by Vic Gacowski was yesterday when Volvo 647 worked 35 road.

M.D. Philip Kirk writes to note that "the new Jonckheere coaches will be numbered 29-34 with registrations OA to OF02OXF, thereby retaining the traditional use of  'OXF'.

Stagecoach in Oxford

 
Grovelands is the setting for M A N 915 one of the early repaints into the new livery.
933 is just back and 934 has just gone to Bedford for repaint.

Thames Travel.

The company advises that they now expect delivery of SIX new buses by the end of the month. Two new 10.8 metre Dart/Pointers are due and will replace the two hired Darts on 105s etc. FOUR new MPD Darts will be for the 101 and 103 services plus other new routes.

PHOTO CORNER
If you have a digital camera and wish to submit photos for this page please send them to the me at 
malcolmhc@aol.com

Diamond Coaches carried the Swansea City team last Saturday
who returned home defeated 2-1 by Oxford United in front of a 5000+ crowd.
Iveco W662SJF stands outside the Kassam Stadium.

I welcome your photos for inclusion on this page.
malcolmhc@aol.com

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