Oxford

updated Sunday 20th May 2001
the next update will be on Sunday 27th May 2001

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 !

This Ayats coach was visiting High Wycombe today (20/5) and I couldn't resist a photo.
The driver advised me that he was on his way to collect "Echo and the Bunnymen from Liverpool.
He was kind enough to let me get a couple of photos of the inside.
These groups certainly have a great way to travel.
W70DSB is owned by Domino Showtours - Berryhurst of Lambeth.

The left hand photo shows the lower deck with a door through to the driver.
The right hand photo shows the rear of the upper deck - wide screen TV included.

My Saturday was spent travelling on this vintage Dakota from Amsterdam to Paris!
With lunch at a French Chateau, the day was a change from two X90s to London!!!

Stagecoach Oxford's Marketing Manager is anxious to point out that the problems at Gloucester Green Coach Station cannot be laid at the door of The Oxford Tube coaches (see a recent weekly report) and that the work due to be undertaken is to repair the problems in general with the roof of the underground car park. Apologies to Stagecoach if any misunderstanding has been created. On a brighter note it was interesting to see the Stagecoach initiative reported this week whereby they will now let training Guide Dogs travels for free on their services in Oxford. Puppy walkers will now be able to use SCO services free of charge. Volunteers are required and you can telephone 0118 983 8380 if you have some time available.

Another story in the headlines was that of two Stagecoach bus drivers who gave chase to two bag snatchers in Castle Street. Sadly they lost the snatchers near the railway station but well done for trying.

Finally bus news of the week is that of one of the Oxford Bus Q buster Olympians re-entering service ready for the summer rush. Full details are given below under OB heading.

A Wycombe Running day will offer travel on many historic buses including Routemasters and many other interesting buses.

2001 - a Bus Odyssey

Wycombe Running Day

Sunday 27th May 2001
10 until 5

Rover ticket £5
Child/OAP £3
Family £9

This year's routes are:
36 Frieth Schools
305/42 West Wycombe
363 Penn
455 Beaconsfield

A DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Timetables available from Newlands Bus Station

The Wycombe Bus Running Day promises to be a bumper extravaganza this year and will probably the last time that the Wycombe Bus Company livery will be seen in at such an event. Thames Valley livered Olympian 5829 which was due for a repaint will it seems remain in its commemorative colours, at least for the time being and will be one of the stars of the open day. So don't miss the fun from ten 'til five , timetables can be obtained from Wycombe Bus Station.

Nigel Peach writes to note that Lynx 3345 has at last moved - it is now just outside the workshop in Wycombe Bus Station. (By Sunday it had moved near to the wash but seems still not be ready for service Ed.) 3807 (302) has also moved - through 180 degrees!! It is now nose-in beyond that final bay, rather than reversed in. London Dart 3816 is back from repaint.

The most interesting thing was Olympian coach 5824. It has been missing for some weeks. It came into the Bus Station whilst Nigel was there, with "Park and Ride" on its dot-matrix destination blind. It is totally devoid of fleet numbers which Nigel finds very mysterious. It too is looking quite tatty. Nigel thinks it must be at least 2 or 3 years since it regained normal livery after a spell as an all-over advert (for Topdrawer or something like that).

From observations today by me, 3813 and 3815 have gone for repaint and I understand ex Oxford Dart 3834 has gone for rebuild to remove the centre door and will return repainted and looking somewhat different. 3833 may be expected to go when 3834 returns. I also noted one of the SLF Darts with 275 on the blind. Has anyone seen one of these buses working that route?

Up at Cressex on the Volvo B6s was labelled up for H18 and I understand there has been some unreliability with the V reg Darts.

Oxford Bus Company Olympians 214 and 224 being prepared for their summer duties.

Olympian 220 took to the road again last week and was seen on 2, 13 and X3 roads. It is repainted and looks very smart indeed. It will be nice to see all the remaining ones back for the summer. Coach nr 10 is under repaint into X90 livery. Correspondent Richard Griffin, who drives for Oxford Bus, reports that 220 performs well and he much enjoyed a short duty on 2 road with this bus.

Volvo B6/Alexander AX200 457 is seen picking up outside The Randolph on service X59.
This bus - P361DSA - is one of the first Midland Red in Banbury buses to be seen in Oxford
carrying the new livery. Photo by Edmund Trensham. 10 May 2001

The expected arrival at the end of the year of some cascaded R reg Olympians from Stagecoach in london may now occur in the early Autumn. They are for route 77.

Matt says that this last week on Wednesday, Aylesbury Z&S Travel's Leyland National KPA 364P was operating on Red Rose's route 52 (Milton Keynes - Aylesbury via Stewkley and other small villages). He saw it arriving in the Bus station at around 11am.

On Friday, Matt spent a little time in Oxford, and managed to get a photo of Stagecoach Oxford Vario 383 (S 383 DFC) in the new Stagecoach livery (photo with next weeks report Ed). It was parked near Waterstones, and was preparing to depart for Bicester (the destination display changed as he was getting his camera out). Whilst a little later Matt spotted 373 on route 3.

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

Carousel of High Wycombe appear to have another Metrobus, M1386.
It is seen at their yard, today Sunday.

This weeks offering parked at Cressex, see a recent report with a Royal Tiger Doyen,
was this Leyland Tiger/Plaxton RJI8032. does anyone know it history?