The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  

News Page
 News of the local companies

Issue 275
(OBP-488)
Sunday 19th October 2008
(next update week ending 26th October 2008)

Now ten years old

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 News of the local companies – 19th October 2008

I am told that new Volvo B9TLs are expected for route 6 in Hemel Hempstead. This may mean the end for the remaining Volvo/Palatine II deckers presently used this route.

The new Citaros for the 321 - Luton to Watford service are being prepared for entry into service and this should happen anytime now,

Glenn Knight has sent a nice poster being used to promote the improved service.


Adam Green sent these two pictures of three buses presently stored at Hemel depot awaiting entry into service.

Aylesbury Bus station

By ARRIVA Aylesbury - 100_0938. The revamped Aylesbury bus station has been nicknamed the Igloo. by the staff of the Arriva based in Aylesbury and with the. winter months just around the corner it may feel that it as well.  ARRIVA Aylesbury -  http://www.arriva-shires.co.uk/


The "office" in the revised Aylesbury Bus Station - Glenn Knight

Glenn Knight reports that he saw in Milton Keynes one of Luton's Dennis Tridents  in dark orange/blue livery on Lakes Estate 5 route.

Marcus Lapthorn writes "Whilst driving past Peartree today I saw former Arriva coach YIB 2397 being driven south. It would now appear to be in the ownership of Walters."

  

Further details of Carousel's recently acquired Darts are that they are ex Metroline DMS513, 514 and 523 (S513, 514 and 523KFL. They replace the last step entrance Darts in the fleet, L109HHV, L153WAG, J301WHU and K323KVX. However late last week L109HHv was still in use. The latest buses are still in Metroline livery.


DAF981 pictured by Steve Warwick.


One of the recently acquired Darts from Metroline. Gavin Francis.
The ex Menzies Scania would appear to be behind the Dart.


As they were - another picture from Gavin Francis.

I have also seen ex Menzies Heathrow Scania Omnicity YS03ZHG which is in service on the A40.


The main fleet depot is back at the Cressex P&R site and another addition is this Yorkshire registered Dart.
Pictures by Gavin Francis.

More pictures of the new Green line deckers have been received.


GL4 seen at Duxford in the lens of Matt Robinson.


Matt also sent this picture of the table detail with the power point shown

 
First picture by Dennis Smith and second by Glenn Knight


Upper deck detail from Dennis Smith

Richard Sharman writes "Recently acquired from Arriva North West via Ensignbus where two East Lancs bodied Dennis Dominators to replace some of the older Olympians"


Behind H804AHA is G802THA by Richard Sharman.

 Merc/Crystals N605 JGP has just been painted out of school bus livery into service bus white livery to match the Centro's and Pointers.

Lutonian

Glenn Knight writes that ex Lutonian N214GNM is now in Zimbabwe to be used for further service.

http://www.nationalexpress.com/

A new Enviro 200 has appeared at Stansted for use on a Business Park service as seen below.


I think that's me in the driving seat - picture by Steve Warwick at West Wycombe.

I read in the latest issue of Buses that Arriva Levante FJ07TKA has been returned to Caetano UK.

As mentioned in the Editorial, OBC have secured the new contract for Brookes Bus services in Oxford from end June 2009.

Matt Robinson writes "Thought you might like this (taken Saturday 27th September). Although I'm only a visitor to Oxford, I've never before noted a Plaxton bodied Trident on Park & Ride work (although I do know they can only work the 300)."

 
(Incidentally I also spotted 'green' Trident 109 on 35 road a few minutes after - unfortunately not in a position to capture).


I took this picture of Volvo/Plaxton Verde 643 showing the digital display.


Picking up at the Swan stop at the top of Cowley Road is 815 on 5 road.

Redline 

Glenn Knight advises that from November service 20 Luton - Pulloxhill currently operated by Centrebus will be taken over by Redline of Aylesbury with time adjustments.

R H Transport


Seen at Duxford 601 looks very smart indeed. Picture by Richard Sharman.


Another Solo with RH is the one pictured above by Richard Sharman.

Oxford

A number of buses have been given overall advertising liveries for Southern Electric.


Pictures by Gavin Francis


The new Enviro 400 Scanias pictured by Glenn Knight


The new Enviro 400 Scanias on Brookes Open Day duty pictured by Chris Maxfield.


The recently acquired Neoplan 50133 on Brookes Open Day duty pictured by Chris Maxfield.

Bedford

Glenn Knight visited Bedford depot and found some interesting buses to photograph including an ex Oxford Tube coach now withdrawn. Olympian 16675 was, I think, one of the last in the old stripey livery.

Swindon

A reader writes "The new Stagecoach MAN's that were introduced onto the 66 route between Oxford & Swindon are lovely buses being comfortable and quiet. However they continue to experience various problems and I understand that they may have to return once more to the manufacture for rectification measures under warranty. The electrical problems with the doors have, I believe, been overcome but now the tachographs that are fitted are causing electrical problems with other onboard systems. An example is that various warning signs are illuminating indicating, for example, gear box problems and other warnings. Drivers who report these 'erroneous' messages to the depot are likely to be told to continue driving as the electrical interference is the likely culprit each time!"


Swindon also has some overall ads for Southern Electric.

Megabus


Megabus52648 picks up at Water Eaton on its southbound journey. Chris Maxfield.

Another ex Tube coach with a new operators this one seen below now with Swallow Coaches..

Thamesdown


Stuart Curwen sent these pictures of ex Lothian Olympians now in service with Thamesdown.

 

 

Latest sighting of another new member of the fleet is an MCV Evolution AJ58PZS. The bus is allover white and maybe filling in for a fleet M A N which could be away for rectification of similar?

Travel de Courcey

Ben Morroll writes saying "Travel de Courcey are expecting four East Lancs bodied Scania N113 double deckers shortly in the shape of P861/2/3/4 VFG from Brighton & Hove

Two are going to used in place of Y23/4 OXF on service X6 to increase capacity with the other two being fitted with seatbelts and used for school work

The first were expected to arrive a week or so ago and will enter service after repaint."

uno bus, Hatfield


The latest deckers with Uno are two Olympus's.

I read that St Albans depot is now closed and all the fleet is at Hatfield including those taken over from Centrebus.

  

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