Special Issue

nr 61
(OBP-277)
Monday 5th January 2004

next update week ending 16th January 2004

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.

If you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will advise of any mid week news please
let me know on malcolmhc@aol.com

Much to everyone's surprise, a well kept secret was revealed today, when a number of new and refurbished coaches took to the road on the Oxford-London corridor, bringing a touch of added luxury to the Oxford Bus Company's Oxford express service known for many years as the X90.

It is now rebranded as oxford espress with a new mint green and orange livery, applied in a similar way to 'the airline'.

I am delighted that Richard Griffin and Chris Maxfield found time to take the excellent selection of pictures found in this report and would note that they have the copyright for same. Those having a CIMG prefix are by Chris and the remainder are by Richard.

Scania Irizar nr 4 rounds the corner at Carfax near the end of its journey from London

Each coach has an individual promotional message on the rear, in cartoon form rather than photographic image. A total of seven coaches are wearing the new livery at launch time - two Scania/Irizar and five Volvo/Plaxton with the remainder of the London coach fleet being brought up to the new standard within the next few weeks.

   
Each coach has a promotional message on the rear which are most tastefully presented.

The route and service, dating back to the origins of an express service between Oxford and London was started by The South Midland Transport & Touring Company Ltd in 1921. After several ownership changes the company came into The city of Oxford fold on the 1st January 1971. The service was relaunched by COMS in National Bus Company days as the 190, the route number being taken from the day return fare at the time of £1.90. Indeed that launch brought a revised livery to a National Bus Company constituent  in that route branding was applied to the coaches operating the route. The 190 took to the road in 1970s offering a timed interval service and was operated by Bristol RELHs and Leyland Leopards offering 49 seats per departure.

The newly launched 2004 service sees a 12-15 minute frequency at peak periods and coaches now provide improved seating and much more leg room with a total of 45 seats on the Volvos and 46 seats on the Scanias. Additionally toilets are now provided, power points for lap tops or mobile telephones and DVD players for passenger information and announcements.

   
These interior shots by Richard Griffin show the amount of work done on the refurbished Plaxtons
including the power points, re-trimming and also the new timetable brochures for passengers.

Whilst the layout in the Scanias is similar to the now well known Airline fleet, the Volvos have been completely refitted internally at a cost of £30,000 each an now seat 45. The interiors present a very fresh and inviting appearance and are sure to prove popular with regular commuters and other passengers alike.

In these days of strong competition the travelling public expects the best features for their journey and reliability. with fares as low as £7.00 day/next day return for a Night Owl Special valid after 3pm each day from Oxford , coach travel has never been more attractive than on this new service. This is especially so when one considers that rather than "cram them in" Oxford Bus has adopted an approach offering comfort and additional passengers features rather than the former.

Most exciting of all is the new livery which will provide a dominant visual impact on the travelling public and car users on the corridor to London from Oxford, especially the M40. The coaches may be expected to prove very popular and in great demand on a route which has three coach operators now offering up to eleven departures per hour at peak periods for the 50 plus mile journey to and from the capital.

It cannot be denied that with over 70 years of cumulative experience on the Oxford-London route, The Oxford Bus Company now has a service to match all comers and extending the quality family of express services it operates, including The Airline X70 to Heathrow and X80 to Gatwick. Certainly comfort and value for money are the company's product watchword.

First day comments from passengers surprised by the new fleet included "spacious, comfortable, love the leather armrests, very happy with the new fleet and also very pleased with the much increased timetabled departures".

Below you will find more pictures and details of the coach fleet now in service with The Oxford Bus Company after the eventful changes referred to above.

This coming weekend's News Page will have further pictures and details of the new and refurbished fleet.

Malcolm Crowe, 5th January 2004.

Vehicles Refurbished:

Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur coaches 17, 19, 20, 21 and 23 re-entered service on 5/1/04. These are now C45Ft and have been completely refurbished internally to match the specification to the new Scanias. They also wear the new ‘oxford espress’ livery (see above). Similar coaches 14-6, 18, 22, 24-6 are to follow.

Vehicles to be refurbished:

First day allocations:

X90C    20      operated the 0520   
X90D    19     operated the 0540
X90E    21     operated the 0600
X90F    17     operated the 0612
X90G    4       operated the 0624
X90H    5       operated the 0636
X90I      23    operated the 0648