Oxford, High Wycombe & surrounding areas

Fuel Crises Special
Friday 15th September 2000
UPDATED 1500HRS with the latest

NORMAL SERVICE ALMOST RESUMED

The next update will be on Monday 18th September 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.

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It has just been announced that both main companies will return to almost normal services from 5am tomorrow morning. See below for more details.

Well, so much has happened in the last few days and everyone will have been affected in some way by the fuel crises. As of this morning most fuel stations remain closed and the diesel in my car tank is running low. This update is to let you know the scene in our area as I know so far. If anyone can improve on the information please email me as soon as possible. malcolmhc@aol.com 

Stagecoach were hit badly by Tuesday with evening services withdrawn from that day. Oxford Bus continued with services largely unaffected as they had more fuel stocks. The Oxford Tube ceased running to London after 7pm and a nice touch of cooperation in these dark days was that both companies were prepared to accept each others tickets for the "duration". 

By today both companies were conserving what fuel stocks they had and were running reduced services on most routes. The London services will all stop from 7pm tonight, not resuming until 6am tomorrow morning. A sad casualty of the crises is the withdrawal until further notice of the X91 Aldgate City Commuter by Oxford Bus.

A Tubeless Gloucester Green - the scene on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.
The opportunity is being taken by council workers to repair the surface of the coach station.

Looking more like a Sunday, this was High Street/Queens Lane on Wednesday evening
shortly before 7.20pm. Only the Oxford Bus Company vehicles are in evidence.

Whilst other companies such as Thames Travel are probably affected I have no details at present. Airlinks drivers seen in London say that fuel stocks at their company are low and services will be affected if they do not receive supplies by today.

It seems that problems are to continue for at least sometime to come.

Fuel Crises status by company - 15 September 2000

Airlinks - the Airport Coach Company (Cambridge Coach Services)

It is not known at the time of writing this report what effect there is on the 757 and 767 services from Oxford, if any.

Oxford Bus Company (City of Oxford Motor Services)

Oxford Bus ran a normal service until last night and tonight some services will be affected, with the X90 curtailed from 7pm until 5 am tomorrow. From tomorrow, Saturday 16th a modified timetable will operate from 5am. Details can be found at the following web site on the News page.

http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/news.html

I made a number of evening trips to London on the X90 during the last few evenings and the roads were really quiet. Indeed the M40 at midnight was deserted save for the odd car and the Oxford express !!

Stagecoach Oxford.  

Stagecoach were affected from Tuesday and most evening services were suspended as well as the withdrawal of many country services. The last Oxford Tube left London at 9pm and thereafter passengers were obliged to use the Oxford express who were accepting Tube tickets.

The following announcement was released this afternoon, Friday 15th September.

Following the scaling down of the fuel protests, and its first fuel delivery for over a week, Stagecoach Oxford has announced that it will be returning to its normal service levels much earlier than previously anticipated.

From 0500 on Saturday 16th September 2000, Stagecoach Oxford will resume normal operation on all routes, including the Oxford Tube between Oxford and London. Evening and overnight services will also run from Saturday night.

Stagecoach, who have been running to an emergency timetable for the past four days, are now confident that they have access to enough fuel to run full services levels. However, customers are still advised to double-check before travelling next week as further disruption to fuel supplies cannot be completely ruled out at this stage.

An enhanced staff transport system has already been implemented to ensure drivers can get to work, as restrictions on private supplies of petrol continue, although Stagecoach is delighted that many filling stations are now treating bus drivers as essential users of fuel.

David Whitley, Marketing Manager for Stagecoach Oxford, commented, “As fuel supplies seem to be on the move again, it is essential that we resume normal services for our customers as soon as possible. We are delighted to be in this position so quickly and thank all our customers for their patience and understanding.”

http://www.stagecoach-oxford.co.uk/

Thames Travel.

It is not known at this time if this company faces any cuts in services.

Wycombe Bus Company.

WBC have reduced services on the 303, 313 and 326 services but these only mean reduced frequencies, so minimal inconvenience will be caused. 

I will be pleased to receive your reports for this section
Please send your reports to MalcolmHC@aol.com and thank you for all your sightings, they are most welcome.