Oxford, High Wycombe & surrounding areas

updated Sunday 31st December 2000
The next update will be on Sunday 7th January 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 !

Wishing you all a prosperous and peaceful New Year!

Well, here we are at the end of the Millennium Year - 2000, with so many changes and happenings recorded in these pages over 52 updates ! It is sometimes quite an effort to post an update each and every week but your kind comments and messages make it all worthwhile. Thank you and keep visiting each week. I also appreciate your e-mails which provide photos and news of much of what is happening in and around our area. This week's update includes a bumper selection of your feedback, which is much appreciated.

Probably the most significant event of 2000 was the recent sale of Wycombe Bus, by Go-Ahead, to Arriva. This, it would appear, is linked to happenings on Merseyside and further details will be posted as they become available. Another event of interest and some concern was the reduction of services by Oxford Bus to cope with continuing driver shortages in Oxford. Stagecoach got some good publicity when the very last episode of Morse, in which he dies, included footage of Stagecoach buses in Bicester and Oxford's Gloucester Green. Another item of note for the Oxford Tube was the delivery of a 28th double deck coach, nr 66, somewhat unexpected at the time. Thames Travel continues to expand and they have an ever increasing fleet of Mercedes Varios , most of which appear in Oxford on the X39. The problems with the rail services produced some unusual sightings of Oxford express and Oxford Tube coaches far from the normal haunts. The tragic accident on the M40 with an Oxford express airport service was also covered in these pages and served to remind us all how a serious accident can so easily happen. Finally the recent spell of cold weather and heavy snow falls over the Chilterns last Thursday morning left the Oxford coach services in turmoil, with the northbound lane of the M40 from Junction 3 to 5 closed for over 6 hours. Only tonight as I write this page, cold and blustery weather again covers the Chilterns and although there is no snow here at Stokenchurch so far, it does not mean we will escape same in the next few hours.

As has been the case for a number of years now Oxford Bus did not run any services on Christmas Day and Stagecoach ran limited Tube services to London calling at Heathrow. Initial reports suggest the Tube had a successful day and more than covered operating costs. On Boxing Day both coach operators fielded limited hourly services to london, the Oxford express operating hourly to Heathrow with a three hourly service to Gatwick, the first time this airport has been served. Loading were excellent and many coaches were totally full leaving Oxford's Gloucester Green, then having no room for waiting passengers at the remaining Oxford stops ! It seems that next year both company's will need to review their services. Of course the chaos on the railways did not help.

I am pleased to include details of Woottens fleet this week, sent to me by Michael Wootten, this company gaining its own heading in fleet news.

There are some pictures from the past which should bring back some memories for many of you. I do much appreciate those of you who contribute and I think it adds much to the success of the page which has in 2000 passed the 50000 visitor mark.

A cold and fine day dawned on Saturday last and this shot of Nuffield College served as a 
background to the ever present open top tour buses which always seem to enjoy custom, 
 whatever the weather.

Edmund Trensham sent the picture below from the lazy crazy days of late summer, 2000. The film "Harry Potter" was under way and the film company had the inevitable selection of buses, serving as rest room for the cast. An ex London Country Atlantean leads with further interesting deckers behind, including an ex Nottingham and what looks to be an ex BOAC Atlantean with Roe bodywork ?  Thank you Edmund.

Company reports - to 31st December 2000

Arriva serving the Shires & Essex.

Some confusion is evident over the renumbering of the ex Wycombe fleet and nothing is fully certain as yet. It seems that 5825 may not even enter service with that fleet number. We shall have to wait and see. No other renumbering has yet taken place and apart from the vinyls little has yet changed at Wycombe.

A visit to Newlands Bus Station during the week revealed 504, which although carrying Arriva logos on the sides , still sported an Oxford vinyl on the rear. 503 had yet to receive any new branding. 

Oxford Bus Company (City of Oxford Motor Services)

Ex Wycombe Olympians 236 & 239 remain at Oxford awaiting collection by their new owners Hedingham & District. It is also noted that the other two ex Harwell Olympians 237 & 238 have now moved from Weavaway to Hedingham & District as well. 

The tow truck, recently withdrawn, has been sold along with 52 & 60  to an Irish operator, O'Neachtain located in Spiddal, County Galway. Volvo coach 59 is expected to join its stable mates when the new coaches enter service in the Spring of 2001. If anyone is passing through Spiddal a picture of two of these vehicles would be much appreciated !!!! 

My duties this past week have produced an interesting day on Thursday, the day of the snow. The 6am Gatwick produced nr 12 for my trip. I diverted via Marlow and Lane End to regain the M40 at Stokenchurch and managed to arrive in Oxford only 10 minutes behind time! The 4am Gatwick was less lucky, being stuck on the M40, he arrived two and half late in Oxford. The turmoil ensuing meant that the 1300 Gatwick was to cover and good old 59 was hand to be my steed. She ran well and an on time round trip followed. Also a photo opportunity presented itself when I parked next to two Shearings coaches. 59 was originally H959DRJ fleet number 959 with Shearings and they probably passed at Wigan as the newer 1995 delivered M regs ousted The H reg 959 !!

Friday evening produced two trips on 4A road with Volvo B10BLE 806. The slow closing of the centre doors on these buses does make time keeping hard work. The wait for the doors to close and the hand brake to come off is frustrating to say the least. however safety should of course not be compromised. 

Saturday should have produced Volvo coach 1 but as ever delays caused a change and Jonckheere 44 proved to be my steed for two journeys to London. I was pleasantly surprised as unlike the other "Joncks" 44 gave a good account of herself and was a quiet and smooth running coach. Victoria was heaving with night service passengers, many of course going to Scotland. 

Volvo coach 44 seen at Victoria Coach Station, london on the 2200hrs to Oxford.

On a personal note Oxford Bus said good bye last Frdiay to their Head Customer Services Officer,
Sandy, who is joining the Acland Hospital in Oxford. Sandy has been a familiar personality for many 
years with both passengers and staff alike and will be missed. 
Sandy is seen with Phil Clarke who looks after marketing and publicity matters plus customer relations.

Stagecoach Oxford.  

Olympian 516 appeared again on route 1 on Saturday, the third week in a row with 514 on City Circle 10. 

Stagecoach Oxford are introducing several new routes on 2nd January and a summary of all their routes is included below. Full details can be found on their web site http://www.stagecoach-oxford.co.uk . If you click on the relevant route you can download a timetable for the service. Missing from this list is the 1,3 and 7 services City services. The new services are clearly indicated. Much work has been done with Harwell to produce a comprehensive service for that location. also of interest is the reintroduction of an Oxford-Newbury link, numbered 34 !

Woottons Luxury Travel.

FLEET LIST - WOOTTENS LUXURY TRAVEL - 30th DECEMBER 2000

COACHES

 X644 GJU   Iveco Eurorider 350    - Beulas Stergo 'e' C53F  new 2000
with Extras - TV / Video, Air Conditioning, Webasto Heaters, Hot Drinks, Fridge, Three Point Seat Belts 

 P216 RWR - Mercedes Vario 814 - Autobus C29F new 1997 - (1997 - 2000 Berkleys, Hemel Hempstead)
with Extras - Air Conditioning, Three Point Seat Belts

N292 OYE  - Volvo B10M MK4 -  Plaxton Premiere 2 350 C53F new 1996   (1996 - 1999 Redwing, London)
with Extras - Air Conditioning.

N289 OYE -  Volvo B10M Mk4   - Plaxton Premiere 2 350 C53F new 1996   (1996 - 1999 Evan Evans Tours (Redwing), London)
with Extras - TV / Video, Air Conditioning, Toilet / Washroom, Hot Drinks, Fridge, 49 (or 53 due to de-mount toilet)

KIW 3768 -  Volvo B10M Mk 3  - Ikarus Blue Danube 336  C53F - new 1990 (1990-1998 Marshalls of Leighton Buzzard)
Original Registration - H607 SWG

SJI 8101 - Volvo B10M - Jonckheere Jubilee P50 C53F - new 1985 (1985 - 06/89 - Skills, Nottingham - 06/89 - 05/91 - Golden Boy Coaches, Hoddesdon
05/91 - 02/99 - Marshalls, Leighton Buzzard) 
Original Registration - B39 KAL

SIL 3924 - Volvo B10M - Van Hool Alizee C53F new 1983  
Original Registration - PGE 859Y

UIB 4752 - Leyland Tiger 245 - Duple Laser MkII Express C57F. New 1986 (1986 - 04/90 Barrow Borough Transport (Coach Fleet)
04/90 - 08/93 Lancaster City Transport, Morecambe - 08/93 - 02/99 Shaw Hadwin, Carnforth)
Original Registration C913XEO

BFP 261Y - Leyland Tiger 218  -   Plaxton Paramount 3200 C57F - New 1983 ( 1983 - 1992 Rover Luxury Travel, Chesham 
1992 - 1999 Westways, High Wycombe )

 SCHOOL BUSES

B811 YTC   - Leyland Tiger 245 -  - Wadham Stringer B68F (3+2 seating) - 1999 (First Registered In UK 1999 \ Built 1984)
Extras - Air Conditioning, Webasto Heaters, Three Point Seat Belts.
1984 - 1999 MoD (Based In Germany) 1999 - 2000  PANDH Travel, Birkenhead - NOTES - Converted from left hand drive.  Very low mileage from new.

B891 YTC  Leyland Tiger 245 -  - Wadham Stringer B68F (3+2 seating) - 1999 (First Registered In UK 1999 \ Built 1984)
Extras - Air Conditioning, Webasto Heaters, Three Point Seat Belts.
1984 - 1999 MoD (Based In Germany) 1999 - 2000  PANDH Travel, Birkenhead - NOTES - Converted from left hand drive.  Very low mileage from new.

 WJI 2849 - Bristol VRT/SL3 Engine / Gearbox - Gardner 6LXB (180 bhp) / 5 Speed Epicyclic Semi-Automatic 
(Original Leyland 0.680 Engine Replaced By Brighton & Hove)   ECW Low-Height Single Door L74F
Original Registration - JWV 273W  Year of Registration - 1981
1981 - 1986  Southdown (NBC), 1986 - 04/2000  Brighton & Hove (Fleet Number 273) , NOTES - Acquired Direct Out Of Service From Brighton & Hove.

PRESERVED BUSES

KON 323P   - Daimler Fleetline   Engine / Gearbox - Gardner 6LX (150bhp) / 4 Speed Epicyclic Semi-Automatic
(Original Leyland 0.680 Engine Replaced By West Midlands PTE)  Body - MCW H76F  Year of Registration - 1976
1976 - 1989 West Midlands Travel - 1989 - 1999 Motts Coaches (Aylesbury) Limited
NOTES - Restored To Original Livery

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

Ex Oxford Ford now in Northern Ireland reregistered 561 IZL - photo by Shane Conway

Oxford's Volvo 59 arriving at Gatwick north Terminal last Thursday. 
Some travellers thought it was operating a shuttle service between north & south terminals !!!

Ex Oxford Volvo 627, now with Arriva follows ex stablemate 606 into Oxford City Centre.
628 has now gained Oxford logos as it will not go to Wycombe as originally planned.

A Leyland Tiger/Plaxton of Wisdom coaches operates a relief Leeds service on 30/12/00
seen at Gloucester Green - DAZ6071.

A blast from the past when the ex Alder Valley Olympian D822UTF was painted blue for coach work.
It carried Wycombe Coach Company titles. We could have done with this on boxing Day for the X90 !!!!
Photo by Mike Penn who has a lot more Wycombe photos which can be seen at
http://www.egroups.com/group/UK-Bus-Photo/
(Go to the last pages of December 2000)

.

  OXFORD BUS PAGE CONTENTS