Oxford, High Wycombe & surrounding areas

updated Sunday 17th December 2000
The next update will be on Sunday 24th 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 !

The Wycombe Bus Company, which operates 52 vehicles and employs 110 staff, was first acquired by Go-Ahead in March 1994 at the time of its acquisition of the Oxford Bus Company. Since acquisition much work has been undertaken to improve the quality of bus services in the area and during that period the patronage of High Wycombe bus services has grown by 21%. At the same time the quality of the bus fleet has been improved significantly with fully accessible low floor vehicles introduced to a key town service in 1996.

However, despite the continuing efforts of Go-Ahead and the staff of Wycombe Bus Company, profit margins have not developed sufficiently to permit a long-term fleet replacement programme. Following the compulsory purchase order imposed on the company's depot and bus station as part of the town centre redevelopment, it became clear that the only alternative site likely to be made available for relocation was situated adjacent to the existing Arriva bus garage in the town. It therefore made sense to dispose of the business and allow Arriva the opportunity to develop a fully integrated service network for High Wycombe.

Ending months of speculation the above announcement was made by Go-Ahead this last week and within hours most buses were carrying Arriva logos. Thus the week has proved an interesting one for operations and company news in our area. To add to the news came further flooding and the closure of the Oxford to Didcot railway line. A replacement bus service was provided by Go-Ahead/Thames Trains and much interest was created by the sight of Oxford Express and Oxford Tube coaches appearing in Didcot. Other companies used included Tappins, Plaistow's,  Grayline, Weavaway and Dukes. further problems for local Oxford residents was caused when flooding occurred in the Botley Road area and film of traffic on the Botley Road included an Oxford Bus Volvo ploughing through floods. 

A statement on the Thames Train web site advised

Flooding Oxford 17 Dec 2000 0700HRS
Due to flooding on the line near Oxford the line has again been closed between Didcot and Oxford. Passengers should make alternative arrangements if possible. The Thames Trains fast service between Didcot and Paddington will not run. The normal stopping service will run between Didcot and Paddington. Trains from Worcester and Stratford will terminate/start at Oxford. The FGW/Thames joint service between Didcot and Bristol T.M will not run. Chiltern Trains are accepting Thames Passengers between Banbury and London. London Transport are accepting Thames Passengers on all reasonable alternative routes. The closure of the line is for at least the rest of the day and at present we have no estimate for the opening of the line. Thames Control

This was followed by a later announcement which seems to suggest that bus operation of replacement services will end by Monday morning.

Flooding near Oxford 17/12/00 16:00.
On Monday the 18th December the line between Didcot and Oxford will be open. Because of speed restrictions imposed after flooding there will be a reduced Morning Peak service to London Paddington with some services cancelled or starting from Didcot Parkway. Thames Control.

Certainly many areas in the Oxford surrounds are flooded and it may take sometime before everything returns to normal.

Stagecoach Oxford provided a number of buses for rail services including 516 on Sunday, seen here
waiting for a train to arrive at Oxford Rail Station.

Sadly I was away again in Holland and Sweden and so missed the most interesting days. If anyone has any photos of the coaches used I would really like to use a few on the site. I look forward to hearing from you.

Work on Debenhams in Magdalene Street west is almost complete and new bus shelters have been erected. This will provide passengers with better facilities when completed.

Company reports - to 17th December 2000

Airlinks/Jetlink (Cambridge Coach)

This weekend saw further "Airlinks" liveried coaches serving Oxford, along with several Jetlink green coaches.

The condition of most coaches externally suggests that the bus wash is still not fixed !

Arriva serving the Shires & Essex.

As mentioned elsewhere this company took over Wycombe Bus on Thursday 14th December. Presently little has changed at Wycombe with the two depots being maintained. However driver or vehicle shortages can be covered by either company's buses. 

Repainting and renumbering of the ex Wycombe buses will be completed within 6 months it is stated. Ex Wycombe Olympian 225 has already gone to Luton for repainting. Details of those buses sold to Arriva is noted under Wycombe Bus below.

Oxford Bus Company (City of Oxford Motor Services)

Darts 503 and 504 having been transferred to Wycombe bus were sold with that company to Arriva. Volvos 620 and 628 will not now go to Wycombe and remain with the Oxford fleet. 

My duty on Saturday enabled me to sample Volvo coach 59 for two journeys to London. This is a really good coach and on the M40 Stokenchurch hill maintained a minimum of 55 mph. The Jonckheere 41-44 die on this hill normally struggling to maintain 40 mph !!! 

Coach 59 seen in London Victoria on the 2200hrs departure to Oxford. Apart from the evidence
of the Citylink vinyls on the sides the general turnout of this now elderly coach is very good. 

As mentioned above several Oxford express coaches put in appearances on the Oxford rail replacement services. 

Volvo 641 has now returned to service following overhaul and repaint. On Saturday it was on the 400 Park & Ride service. Friday 8th December saw THREE 8xx series Volvos on 2 road with 809, 810 and 819 in service. Again on the same day older Darts 515, 517 and 519 were on 13 road. Friday 15th December saw repaired SLF Dart 410 on 2 road. This bus has been off the road for several weeks. The same day saw older Volvo 654 on 15 road instead of the more normal low floor 8xx series Volvo. On the 13th low floor Volvo 811 appeared on 4 road.

Wycombe Olympians 236 and 239 returned to Oxford prior to sale to another operator. They were not included in the sale of Wycombe bus to Arriva.

Stagecoach Oxford.  

Main news is off the use of Stagecoach Oxford buses and Oxford Tube coaches on rail replacement services.

First repaints into the new livery are delayed and an Olympian is expected to be the first early in the New Year.

WYCOMBE BUS COMPANY

With effect from 0001 hrs on the morning of 14th December 2000, the assets of WBC were purchased by Arriva The Shires Ltd. See the press release from Go-Ahead above. 

Vehicles involved in the sale are:

Olympians 225-235, 240-2   :   Lynx 301-5   :   Darts 421-7, 503/4, 521-30   :   Volvo B10B 621-627   :   Mercedes 703/4/11/6/20/4/7

Olympians 236 and 239 were not included in the sale.

Most buses have already received Arriva branding, notable exceptions being 422 which retains Wycombe livery except for legal ownership, 503 which retain Oxford livery except for Arriva legal ownership and 234 just returned from roof repairs which still has Wycombe branding on the sides. All buses carry Arriva branding on the rear. 

Dart 521 had only just returned from receiving an overall advertising livery for C F Lake a local TV & Electrical dealer.

A poor day and a poor photo. 521 proved elusive in the extreme on
Sunday when I visited Wycombe to get some photos.

This week Arriva Lynx trainer 3066 E966PME was in the Wycombe depot and there was no sign of Oxford Leopard T4

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

Ex Wycombe 234 showing a mix of logos.

Ex Oxford Dart 503 still in full Oxford livery

Ex Oxford Dart 504 in with full Arriva branding.

Dart 526 with full Arriva branding.

Perhaps the saddest loss to Oxford were the seven Volvos 621-627 now all with full Arriva branding. Here we see 626, 624, 622 and 625.

Ex Oxford  Metrorider 780, G780WFC is now with Worth's of Enstone. It has been fitted with coach seats and is very smart.

Tappins were contributing to rail replacement services today, Sunday. Here Volvo K301GDT is seen at Oxford.

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