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

Visit the Archive Pages going back to 1998

Your reports are welcome at malcolmhc@aol.com

updated Sunday 21st October 2001
the next update will be on Sunday 28th October 2001

   Issue nr. 169  

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"
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Welcome to issue 169, which this week includes a visit by me to Bicester and Aylesbury plus another of Vic Gackowski's studies, this time on services to Didcot and Wantage.

Feedback from many of you has proved useful and indeed most interesting. Operator Beckwith's has been most forthcoming about developments including two new additions to their fleet.

Stagecoach in Oxford have launched their updated web page and I am delighted that they have provided a link to this page for weekly updates on their fleet. They also include a number of pictures of their fleet within the new site and I will give you one guess as to who provided the pictures, I am most flattered.

Stephen le Bras wrote to say " I was interested to read your report on the bus and coach show. I was only able to spend part of a day there and so my thoughts are based on that rather rushed inspection.  The newly launched Transbus single decker is 12 1/2m long and I felt that not enough room was given for tall people like me. I liked many of the coach designs, including the Sunsundegui. I have seen several foreign examples of this in the coach park in Windsor."

Neil Gow writes "saw an overall maroon ECW bodied Olympian going up Watlington Road today, I think with Y registration (ex Midland Red North??).  It had people on and I though might be on Tappins' Tesco service, but didn't see it come back and I'm not sure that runs on Fridays." (Anyone any ideas? Ed.) 

Peter Hale had been looking at the new Stagecoach in Oxford web site and wrote "I like the web site, which I reached through the revamped Stagecoach in Oxford site.

He adds, in response to my comments on Banbury a few weeks ago "The reason why Banbury town services do not use the Bus Station is probably to minimise reversing movements, which have proved to be dangerous.  Stagecoach Midland Red was not happy about using the Bus Station in the first place because it was considered unsafe, and I think that a pedestrian has indeed been killed by a reversing bus.  There has been a "banksman" on duty when I have visited there to see goings on.  I would imagine that Geoff Amos's Great Central Connexion uses Bridge Street (outside and complete with handy turning circle) to assist timekeeping - buses call there on the way to Horton Hospital, then call again just a few minutes later en route to Rugby."

Thanks to all of you for your comments which most certainly add to the page each week. Indeed when I was away last week your comments made the page!

  FROM THE DRIVING SEAT  
A weekly commentary on your Editors favourite pastime.

As we have a lot of other news this week I will pend some thoughts for a future issue.

News from the companies - 20th October 2001

Arriva serving The Shires & Essex

Arriva's new garage seen from the southern ring road around the town. The workshops
are now complete and all operations are now based on this location.

Arriva 5104 being cleaned prior to fuelling and washing at the new depot.

The new workshops have full facilities and here ex London NE 3093 is seen under repair.

Surprise transfers are three ex North West Mercedes 709D/Alexander Sprint minibuses.
These were new to Timeline of Leigh, a spin off from Shearings. P179,181 and 182 FNF
are transferred in and have yet to enter service. They were last operated out of
Wythenshawe garage on services in south Manchester.

Wycombe developments this week are that Olympians 5822 and 5827 have returned without having been repainted. No buses are presently away and as such the repaint programme seems to have stalled.

A locally based saloon was involved in a serious accident with an Onyx waste collection vehicle but I have been unable to ascertain which bus was involved.

Paul Goodwin of Bucks County Council writes to say "I have received notification that Reading Buses will cease to operate the 328 with effect from 24 November. Arriva will take them over from that date with a few reductions in Early/late journeys from Reading. They will now start finish Marlow or Henley.  The new Wycombe update will be out shortly with details".

Nigel Peach writes that "details of the "Wycombe Bus Station" fleet are exactly as per your Arriva list dated January with the following exceptions:
The seven minibuses have all gone and have been replaced by the following seven buses:
Lynx 3344/5 H354/5 GEV
Lynx 3070    H410 ERO and 3076 E970PME
Merc Minis 2127/32 N907-912ETM
Roe bodied Olympian 5074 A154 FPG

I've also noticed that the Marshall Darts 3833/4 M503/4 are missing from your list. 

Nothing really to report from my lunchtime visit to Wycombe today. 5827 & 5829 were both running & 5822 was in the bus stn. No, 5822 still has a red front. They've presumably decided not to repaint them yet.  SLF Dart 3821 was in there displaying 275 at the front!  (I wonder if it ran to Oxford? Ed)

Thanks to both of you for those notes. 

Beckwith's Coaches.

Following my comments on this company last week, Chris Beckwith invited me down this Sunday to see two new arrivals. They are pictured below.

Volvo/Van Hool Alizee C49FT JSV362 came from Continental of Cleveland but
may have originated with Parks of Hamilton. It was new in 1994.

This Volvo B10M/Ikarus Blue Danube 53 seater came from Magpie but originated with
Dorking Coaches as E220GCG. It will revert to this registration having more recently
been MIL1851. It was only with Magpie for a few months following the collapse
of Tillingbourne, the parent of Dorking Coaches.

Mike Penn sent this picture of Beckwith's Tiger XIB2679. It was new to Southdown and is
seen here with cherished registration UWP105. When new it was registered XUF535Y.

 Following purchase by Stagecoach, the Tiger was transferred to Hampshire Bus retaining
its cherished registration. It is seen here in Stagecoach livery.

Updated fleet List for Beckwith Coaches - 21st October 2001:

1981 MCW Metrobus MK1 Reg No LOA 346X (normally used on 655 Cadmore End-Turville-High Wycombe service but has been used on 290)
1983 Leyland Tiger Plaxton Paramount Reg No XIB 2679 (ex Southdown-Stagecoach UWP105- XUF535Y)
1983 Volvo B10M Joncheere P59 (Deuville front) Reg No GIL 4605 ( to be used on 290 Stokenchurch-London service)
1987 Volvo B10M Ikarus Blue Danube C53F E220GCG ex Magpie Travel and Dorking Coaches.
1994 Volvo B10M Van Hool C49FT JSV362  ex Continental Coaches, Eston, Cleveland.

Rev Ian Kirby writes to say "XIB2679 was originally new to Southdown as their 1005 (XUF535Y) - then presumably via Stagecoach South to Stagecoach Western Scottish. Having spent 4 years in Oxford doing my ministerial training between 1992-6, I look forward to your updates every week and follow new developments with interest. Keep up the good work"

Thanks Ian for the kind comments.

Mike Penn wrote to include the two photos above "I thought you might be interested in these two photos of UWP 105 which is now Beckwith's XIB 2679.   The first is when it was Southdown 1005  and was taken passing the Tower of London on September 23rd 1987.  The second was as Stagecoach (South) t/a Hampshire Bus 1005 and was taken passing St Paul's Cathedral on March 8th 1994.

Also concerning Beckwith Coaches I wonder if, with your contacts, you might be able to solve a couple of mysteries for me.  I photographed a Plaxton  bodied Leyland Tiger SMY 634X in London in June 1998 and it had Beckwith's legal lettering.  The PSV Circle has published the acquisition date for this coach as April 2000.  Can you shed any light on this discrepancy?  I notice that this is not in the current fleet list for Beckwith's so I presume that it has now been sold. 

The second concerns Caetano bodied Volvo MCN 237X which I photographed at High Wycombe on service 290 on May 22nd 2001.  Was it then owned by Beckwith's or was it hired?  The latest information published by the PSV Circle gives it with a London firm."

Can anyone help on Mike's questions?

Carousel Buses.

Paul Goodwin of Bucks County Council advises that "Carousel will be extending route 400 under contract  to us from Bourne End to Marlow off peak. starting 29 Oct. From mid Nov they are also introducing  service 1 commercially Saturdays and Sundays"

 Martyn Pearce writes to note "quick bit of news: Carousel Buses M758 is in the workshops for some rear-end welding and strengthening (Metrobuses are well known for rear-end structural problems, of course) and is expected to be off-road for 3-5 days. Therefore Leyland Titan T995 A995SYE has been borrowed from Sullivan Buses of Potters Bar and can be seen in service usually from Penn to High Wycombe and back twice daily in unlettered red with white upper deck window surrounds"

Thanks to both of you. 

City of Oxford Motor Services (The Oxford Bus Company)

Chris Maxfield of Oxford Bus was on 222 seen here at Kassam Stadium last Saturday
when Oxford United played Scunthorpe. Unusually three Tridents were in use
- 111, 114 and 117 plus Dart SLFs 403 and 409 hidden behind 222.
214 was also in use but its driver, less than interested in football went back
to Cowley Road garage and found himself out on 5 road for a few trips!

Olympian 221 has returned from the North East but it appears that 223 and 224 are still up there. Can this be clarified please?

Edmund Tresham writes to say "I was interested to read about the choice of new coaches for the Oxford Express. From purely a passenger's perspective I find the new Van Hool body to be the most comfortable I have ridden on. I have ridden on DAF, Scania and Volvo varieties and found each to be superb. The main point I like is the seats that I find to be very comfortable. I also like the green gangway lights, I have found when travelling at night this makes it easier to doze and fall asleep. I suspect this also cuts down on reflections for the driver. Aesthetically I find the new body to be attractive and a big improvement on the old Alizeé which I never cared for much.

To be fair to Plaxton I must admit that I have not ridden on one of there latest Paragon/Panther bodied vehicles."

I hope to have news of which coaches have been ordered by Oxford in time for next week's news page.Ed. 

On the allocation front I note that on Wednesday 17th October Olympians were out in force. 214 and 220 were on 2 road and 221 was on 4 road. These were all days rosters and not rush hour extras. Trident 929 is still on 300 road. It is also of interest to note that the allocators at Oxford seemingly try to ensure groups of buses on certain roads. So 35 road gets 610-615, 620 and 628 as its normal buses.

New route 18 to Herschel Crescent will at last start tomorrow morning after having been delayed by roadworks in the area from its intended start date..

Autumn is upon us, with the clocks going back next week. Another hour in bed - nice!
Volvo B10B 636 is seen near the North Oxford Golf Club on the Banbury Road
City bound and through to Barton. It still retains upper case blinds, most of its fellows having
gained new lower case blinds. It also retains the Oxford camera part of its logo
but I can assure you this picture was taken last Saturday afternoon.

Grayline of Bicester.

Grayline of Bicester operate a number of local services in that area.
Here Mercedes G82KUB loads at Bure Place, Bicester for local service 26.

Heyfordian (Wycombe Depot)

Using an almost similar blue to Arriva, Heyfordian are now running two or three ex
Arriva North East Olympians including B225RAJ, seen above and C265XEF(with coach
seating) latterly out of Durham.

Paynes (part of the Jeffs Group) Helmdon.

Paynes operate an Oxford-Bicester-Milton Keynes services and a 1989 Optare Star-Rider
F47CVV is one of two similar buses used on this service. It is seen here in Bure Place
Bicester's Bus Station.

Stagecoach South Midlands

The very newest bus in the Oxford fleet - 944 in service on "Bravos" last Saturday.
Seen here at Cowley Centre heading towards Blackbird Leys. OU51WLN.

Rob Willaims writes "Regarding the report you have on this week's News Page about the new Solos (with the picture of the Solo with ribbons) - I wrote it, not Keith! I think the confusion could have come from me sending it to both you guys at the same time.

The report in fact refers to events in Leamington. on Friday 28th September 2001, I'm not sure if it is part of the same event that Keith reported for last weeks page.  (Many apologies for any mis-reporting there by me. Ed)

Another thing I spotted was that the Stagecoach in Oxford section seems a bit contradictory about who owns that National SJI... One report seems to say that it is to be a trainer in the Oxford fleet, and another says its going back to Leamington over the weekend! Personally, my guess is it's going back to Leamington.  (I can confirm that it is still at Oxford - down at the Excel site - as of last Saturday afternoon. My sources are that it will stay at Oxford for use as a trainer Ed.)

Keep up the good work with the site, Regards  Rob Williams    -    www.buszone.co.uk

Stagecoach in Banbury and Warwickshire

Keith Wood writes to note that "SiW Optare Solo 611 was working the 539 Coventry - Warwick service yesterday. Is this the first SiW Solo in Coventry ? Has anyone else seen one in Coventry ?

Olympian 915 involved in a roof incident a few weeks ago was back in service yesterday on the X17 Coventry - Leamington.

As predicted Leamington 709d's are on the move ! 347,352, and 368 were working from Nuneaton yesterday. 367 was also at Nuneaton and although parked out of use it had a Nuneaton destination display showing, so I'm assuming it's moved to Nuneaton permanently. This vehicle was at Rugby last week (I reported it !).

More L reg 709d's are out of service 317,318 and 320 have joined 312, 315 and others at the side of Nuneaton depot.

I'm doing a full Nuneaton survey next Thursday (25/10/01) so should have more info on Friday 26/10/01.

I'm pretty sure that 709d 368 was working the 747 Rolls Royce service this morning. (Friday) This is a Leamington vehicle working a Nuneaton service. Confirmation to follow.

Volvo B10M / PS 223 of Rugby depot has received new livery. Only 224 is now in stripes at Rugby all other B10M's at Rugby have been repainted (221/223/225/226/228/242)

Stagecoach in Oxford

The new M A N s have all been drafted on to the Blackbird Flyer instead of use on
the 3 as expected. Here 942 OU51WLK sets down on its way to the Leys.

943 OU51WLL followed it along the route, seemingly out of service. However it was
probably running to depot for a crew change.

Some weeks ago I reported much discussion about the withdrawal of stops on the A34 on the way to Oxford for Bicester services. Here we can see why one of those stops was withdrawn. Seemingly on police advice, this stop at Weston-on-the-Green was taken out of use, since buses had to cross the hash lines to reach the stop, thereafter pulling out from stationary into fast moving traffic. A case of an accident waiting to happen!

M A N 917 speeds by the contentious stop on its way to Oxford last Saturday afternoon.
One had to have patience to stand on a wind swept bridge to get this shot!!

When services reach Bicester, they set down and load in Bure Place Bus Station.
Services from Oxford continue to Bullingdon where Her Majesty detains various people.
Volvo 911 is seen waiting time last Saturday.

start on 22/10/01, and Nuneaton was to start a new low floor service on 29/10/01 - presumably with 831-837.

Neil Gow writes to say "All three of 942-4 were out on the 1 today (Saturday) and Dennis Lance 901 was also on it for a while but disappeared later.  Most crew changes were done by taking another bus from the depot due to delays caused by the resurfacing of Cowley Road, so many vehicle swaps occurred.  Similarly the seven vehicle pattern on 10/10A I described a couple of weeks ago is largely theoretical as vehicles run off service at Cowley Centre and are replaced by another when a driver change is due.

Ralph Adams notes "I expect you are already aware that Stagecoach Oxford has redesigned its web site. It has a direct link to your Oxford Bus page "to obtain regular up to date fleet movements"  

There is a monthly full fleet list, but the published one is 20th August - presumably the September one has not yet been published.

As I believe all Stagecoach companies produce the report monthly, it would be good if they all put them on the web! I have been given them at various garages in the same layout."

Ralph then adds "Just back from my weekly visit (Sunday)- 942 & 943 are now in Horspath Road.  One was used yesterday on Service 1 to Blackbird Leys.
(In fact all three were used 942-944 see above Ed.)

Arrived last night                 B10M-55 from Midland Red                228  &  242

Gone last night                     B6 to Midland Red                         834  835  836

Peterlee Road has lost 356  362  363  367  (I saw them going North on the M5 last Friday morning Ed.)

Still there were 139  1010  388  428  357  360  365

Thanks to Ralph, especially for the news on 228 and 242, which for me is a surprise. Also interesting is the fact that 242 (N812DNE) started life with Manchester as its 812.

Vic Gackoski reported in similar manner to Ralph,

Sio Training Centre at 1030 on Thursday 18th October -

356  G 831 UDV :357  G 833 UDV : 360  G 836 UDV : 362  G 838 UDV : 363  G 839 UDV : 366  G 842 UDV : 367  H 109 HDV
388  L 308 YDU : 428  L 328 YKV : BRISTOL - 1001 - OCA 640 A

(I understand that the Bristol has been purchased for preservation but the purchaser has yet to collect it. Ed.)

...and now to another detailed work by that sleuth of working patterns etc, Vic Gackowski.

STAGECOACH IN OXFORD - SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE OPERATIONS
OXFORD - DIDCOT - WANTAGE
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 

INTRODUCTION

The South Oxfordshire operations of Stagecoach in Oxford are the most complex of the country routes operated by the company. There is an estimated daily vehicle requirement of 18 midi buses and 5 mini buses. This is due to the long journey times and frequency of these routes. The 32 series for instance take around 82 minutes each way. The midi buses work a regular thirty minute off peak frequency on two main routes to Wantage. The 31 via Marcham and the 32 via Didcot . During the peak hours the service intensifies and a fast limited stop X31 service also operates. The mini buses operate their own network and with the exception of one journey in each direction they work independently of the larger vehicles. A service to Newbury (Berks) is also part of South Oxfordshire operations and is part of the mini bus network. 7xx series Dennis Dart and 8xx series Volvo B6 vehicles are used on the midi bus services but it is not unusual to see a 9xx Low Liner vehicle in use at times , especially during the peak hours. Midi vehicles work routes 31 , X31 , 32 , 32A and 32B with one PM journey from Harwell as a 34. Mini buses work routes 33 , 34 and 44 with a single each way journey on a 32 from and to Steventon in the peaks. 3xx or 4xx series vehicles are used and two of these start their day on a 25 journey from Bicester. One vehicle does the same in the evening peak. Unusually one X31 journey in the morning is operated by a TUBE vehicle. This vehicle then runs into Gloucester Green for London workings.

ROUTES OPERATED

MIDI BUSES 

31 Oxford (St Aldates ) to Abingdon , Marcham and Wantage every 30 minutes.
(Journey Time 50 minutes)

X31 Oxford (St Aldates) to Wantage via Cumnor. Peak hours only Mon - Fri
(Journey Time 45 to 50 minutes)
** The Tube operated service is the only X31 journey not to call at Cumnor being Non Stop from Marcham into Oxford**

32 Oxford (St Aldates) to Wantage via Culham and Didcot . Every hour.
(Journey Time 82 minutes)

32A Oxford (St Aldates) to Wantage via Steventon and Didcot. Every Hour
(Journey Time 79 minutes ).

32B Oxford (St Aldates) to Wantage via Drayton , Sutton Courtenay and Didcot. Peak Hours only .
(Journey Time 97 minutes)

All return journeys Terminate at Oxford (Castle Street).

MINI BUSES 

33 Oxford (St Aldates ) to Didcot via Abingdon and Harwell Village Every two hours.
(Journey Time 56 minutes)

34 Oxford (St Aldates) to Newbury . Every two hours.
(Journey time 80 minutes)

 44 Oxford (St Aldates) to Abingdon via villages of Sunningwell - Bayworth.
Every hour . Morning and evening peak journeys start / continue to Didcot following the route of the 33.
(Journey time to Abingdon 41 minutes)

All return journeys Terminate at Oxford (Castle Street).

VEHICLE CARD - NOTES  

There used to be a garage in Wantage but this closed in 1989 after Thames Transit took over South Midland and was replaced by a new Bus Park on the Denchworth Road industrial estate nearby. This closed in 1992 and from then on all South Oxfordshire work was operated from Horspath Road Depot. However in recent years a new outstation has been established within the Harwell International Business Park. This being part of the vast complex still known to many of us Oxfordshire folk as A.E.R.E Harwell or just simply Harwell. A mixture of new industry coupled to top level security remains in force to this day. Five vehicles are allocated to start and finish at the bus station and these are normally 8xx series Volvos. All other vehicles start from Horspath Road including all of the Mini Buses. Note especially the journey covered by a TUBE vehicle.

The observations provided here were obtained over three days. 

WEDNESDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2001 (MORNING)  

FRIDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2001 (AFTERNOON) 

MONDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2001 (MID MORNING / LUNCHTIME)

A visit was made to Harwell Bus Station at 5.30 AM on the 10th October to establish the vehicles based there that day to aid this survey . For the record these were as planned with five 8xx series vehicles - 837 839 841 842 & 844 They were being cleaned at the time and stood line abreast at the southern end of the bus station with all internal lights on. A great photo for those used to taking pictures by night. Be warned , you have to pass a "Buses Only" sign to get to the vehicles so don’t drive in later during daylight when its busy or lurk about suspiciously . There are still sensitive areas in the complex. Readers should also bear in mind that as with all transport companies Vehicle, Driver and Reliability problems will lead to out of course working. I have detailed moves to and from Horspath Road as seen on the days of the surveys but these are subject to alteration at times.

Actual vehicle numbers are not shown for this exercise as nearly every 7xx and 8xx vehicle detailed in the introduction was seen in use over the three days of surveying although it was noticeable that the lower numbered 7xx series Dart/Alexanders do not appear to be used as frequently. Lo-Liner 915 is confirmed on vehicle - A on 10th October and unusually mini bus 382 was covering a midi bus on vehicle - F on the 16th October. A vehicle that goes into Horspath Road may not be the same one that comes that comes out. Driver changes take place at Castle Street on vehicles not running to and from Horspath Road Depot and a staff bus , often 461 , operates between the depot and Oxford City on a regular basis. The Staff bus also calls at Gloucester Green.

VEHICLE CARDS
(BASED ON OBSERVATIONS BY THE AUTHOR ONLY. SUBJECT TO ALTERATION AND NOT ENDORSED BY SIO)

 A - 8XX / (915 on 10th)

START HORSPATH RD DEPOT
32A 0605 OXFORD - WANTAGE 0720
31 0725 WANTAGE - OXFORD 0850 (5 MINS LATER IN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS)
DEAD TO AND FROM HORSPATH RD DEPOT
31 1125 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1215
32 1220 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1345
31 1355 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1450
32A 1453 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1615
LAYOVER CASTLE ST
31 1655 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1753
32B 1800 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1920
DEAD TO HORSPATH RD DEPOT 

B - 7XX

START HORSPATH RD DEPOT
31 0610 OXFORD - WANTAGE 0701
31 0705 WANTAGE - OXFORD 0820
32 0835 OXFORD - WANTAGE 0959
31 1007 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1100
DEAD TO AND FROM HORSPATH RD DEPOT
31 1225 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1315
32 1320 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1445
31 1455 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1545
32A 1549 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1715
31 1725 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1823
32A 1830 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1944
DEAD TO HORSPATH RD DEPOT 

C - 7XX 

START HORSPATH RD DEPOT
32B 0630 OXFORD - WANTAGE 0759
31 0805 WANTAGE - OXFORD 0920
DEAD TO AND FROM HORSPATH RD DEPOT
31 1055 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1145
32A 1153 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1315
31 1325 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1415
32 1420 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1545
31 1555 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1650
32A 1655 WANTAGE - OXFORD 1825
32B 1845 OXFORD - WANTAGE 1958
31 2005 WANTAGE - OXFORD 2052
DEAD TO HORSPATH RD DEPOT

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

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

Scunthorpe United's team coach Scania/Irizar Y58HHE seen outside the Kassam Stadium
last Saturday waiting to convey the winning team homewards. Barnards are the operator.

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

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