Issue 53
(OBP-269)
Monday
3rd November 2003
next update
week ending 14th November 2003
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
There is quite a bit of news this week about various services in south Oxfordshire. An extract from the County web site states:
New bus services unveiled
Rural bus services in the Vale of White Horse are due to undergo significant improvements starting from October 27, including:
A service linking Kingston Lisle, Uffington and Baulking with Wantage, five times a day on weekdays
A weekday commercial service to Shellingford, near Faringdon
A taxi-bus service linking Oxford, Appleton, Frilford, Kingston Bagpuize, Southmoor, Hinton Waldrist, Longworth, Fyfield, Appleton and Oxford
New Saturday services between Wantage and Swindon
A Wantage-Grove local service operating on a half-hour frequency
The doubling of Sunday services between Oxford, Faringdon and Swindon
A service via Millet's Farm shop, Frilford Heath.
Commenting on these changes, Ralph Adams writes, "The
highlights I see are the Sunday service 66 to Swindon is being increased from 3
to 4 but the actual timetable from Stagecoach shows 6 per day. I hope that is
correct because I plan to use it next Sunday.
Heyfordian have now lost the W1/W2/38 (now just 38) but gained the 67 Wantage -
Faringdon. This will be with a low floor bus and is I believe their first low
floor.
A minibus service will operate the Appleton and Longworth service although the
first 2 early Stagecoach journeys to Oxford will divert via Appleton. There is
no evening return. However the 0650 journey ceases on 23 Jan 2004 with no
obvious replacement.
In contrast, Whites, who have just put a Solo on the 108 are not advertising a
low floor."
Following the criticism about various service withdrawals
in the area, the county does seem to be making efforts to improve matters in
some areas.
On another note I am often surprised by the number of flag stops attached to the various bus stops around the city of Oxford. My picture below emphasises this with a shot taken in Speedwell Street.
Only three operators service this
stop but with quite a number of routes.
Well, now on to the reports for our area. Your contributions continue and I am pleased to receive them each week. However due to afore mentioned time constraints these will be held over until next week. My thanks to everyone who sent information.
Malcolm Crowe, 3rd November 2003.
Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002
News of the local companies – 3rd November 2003
Arriva's Vario 2244, a one time Leeds bus operating
a 260 service at Oxford High Street.
That route branded Volvo, 3844,
seen this time outside with a clear view of the livery.
One correspondent asked the
whereabouts of the ex Motts decker.
It is seen here in Newlands Bus Station last Sunday
James Smith asks if I would add the following link to this page for a site he is running with coverage of Arriva the Shires. The link is shown below.
http://www.arriva-shires.co.uk
Nigel Peach wrote saying "Spent
a few days in York
this week which included a ride on Guide Friday's Atlantean KPJ241W. This
bus is ex London Country/Chiltern Rover and was one of about 10 which were based
at Amersham (later Wycombe) depot for many years from new.
Popped into the bus station while in Wycombe this afternoon (Saturday). I
noticed from the roster board that ex Arriva London 5853 is now in service (but
I didn't see it).
[I saw 5853 on Sunday - Ed]
Olympians 5833 and 5122 are both still at the back of the depot and both look to
be in a state of cannibalisation. I don't think 5122 has actually run in service
at Wycombe. [Indeed 5833 is looking very sad, even it seems to being
cannibalised and is missing a headlight, steering wheel and other items. There
is no ticket machine fitted either Ed]
I think 3844 is the only Volvo branded for 328/329. I've not seen any others so
branded."
Graeme Wilson writes
"A
few bits and pieces of news this week.
Wednesday 29th:
Olympian 5826 has had a turbo fitted (which is presumably why it was off
the road for a while) and it looks like 5825 is having it done too, it was
parked at the back of the bus station with turbo-engined 5833 next to it in
pieces.
In other
news, Optare Solo Y42HBT was having work done to its engine. (these
vehicles seem to spend more time off the road than on!)
Friday 31st:
Ex-London Olympian D166FYM (5853 I think) was in service on route 372
this afternoon. I've heard these buses will replace the last ex-COMS Olympians.
That's all the news for this week, except that ex-Motts Olympian 5108 seems to
have disappeared (perhaps it has been transferred somewhere else?)."
Carousel, High Wycombe
A shot of Carousel's yard on Sunday caught M57 with
blinds set for the A40.
One correspondent asked the whereabouts of Trident 108. Your Editor worked a 300 late duty last Friday and lo and behold my steed was 108. It is pictured below.
Trident 108 has returned to service after a period under repair in the body
shop.
It still awaits vinyls and is seen here last Saturday in New Road on service
400.
A morning shot of Volvo 642 on 2 road turning into Speedwell Street.
The trees are now gaining their autumn colours and Great Tom can be seen in the
background.
Oxford Bus have kindly provided their latest fleet list which can be viewed by clicking this link
Adrian Lancer writes with following sightings.
Wednesday 29/10/03
602 - 2 (35 branded)
652 - 400
Rob Williams notes :
Mon 27th
508 on
5A
501 has new branding for route 5 (as previously reported)
Ron Potter writes with the following sightings on Monday 3rd November.
Trident
120 on driving school duties with L.Plates.
Citaro 822 was seen at elms rise on 4a service (relief)
Dart 510 on x3 early then 18/2c
Dart 515 on 13c service
Volvo B10BLE 813 on 13s am and x3s pm.
Ron also asks about the new livery on the buses. He has seen 602, 606 and 810 appear and wonders what the plans are for the immediate future. He says "I am not sure if I like the new livery or not. It certainly looks better on 801 than the older Volvos. Will the new Citaros for the X3 feature this livery? What do other readers think about the new red livery and the new fleet name Oxford Red? Some friends I have spoken to feel that from the rear it is too easily confused with Stagecoach."
Well Ron, lets see what others have to say. I think the jury is still out on a general opinion. Ed.
Coachman Travel Bristol VR
HUD497W (Ex Oxford).
This will be used in public service in the Wantage area.
Swindon, 1 November 2003
picture courtesy
http://bus-photos.fpic.co.uk/
One of
Stagecoach Warwickshire's
Rugby
based National Express coaches stays overnight at
Horspath Road.
Rugby's NatEx routes mostly don't come anywhere near
Oxford,
but 52447 is seen at 8am on Thursday 30th having stayed overnight
and is heading for Gloucester Green via New Road to operate one journey
that does.
Photo and caption by Rob Williams
David Whitley, until recently Marketing Manager of the company sent the latest attached fleet list (period 7 - October 2003) to be published in this week's page. you will need Adobe Acrobat to view this file. Click here to view. (you will need to rotate one of the pages to view)
A couple of photos of recently departed Oxford Olympians, taken by Rob Williams, at work in their new home of Leamington Spa. 16439 is seen working route X16 from Coventry to Stratford upon Avon and 16140 the X12 from the University of Warwick to Sydenham. Both are seen in Leamington town centre.
Rob Williams reports the following
Mon 27th
16403 in yard, another loan from Devon
Wed 28th
16072, 16076, 16078, 16079, 16140, 16438, 16439, 16440 all confirmed in service at Leamington.
Stripy Dart 32058 left Oxford for Rugby on Friday afternoon. It is being transferred there to replace their solitary Leyland National which was withdrawn the week before last following a break down. South Midlands therefore now only has one National remaining - at Nuneaton.
Fri 31st:
32058 departed for Rugby to replace their Leyland Nation which has been withdrawn following breakdown.
16403 virtually ready for service
Adrian Lancer writes
Wednesday 29/10/03
16144 - 10
52124 - X5 - no branding, old stripes livery and missing ultimate blind!!
Ralph Adams
writes "On
Thursday black 22053 was in revenue service as a duplicate on U1. I have still
not seen it in full all day service".
A regular correspondent sent in an interesting piece on his recent travels in
our area.
I recently decided to
make use of an explorer ticket on the 233 route on Thursday. Some years ago, the
frequent service was introduced as X3 to Fulbrook with Merc 711D buses and on my
previous trip it carried few passengers on the trips I took. It now goes to
Milton under Wychwood and I was surprised to see 6 passengers at midday at
Witney, with 2 passengers starting at Burford, 4 going all the way to Milton.
I later used the school day service which came into Witney on the 100 Route
Olympian. It then went out via Thorney Lees instead of Tower Hill used by
Witney starting buses. At Burford lay by we had 4 passengers on board and the
driver then warned us there would be a delay whilst we went into Burford
College, giving us the chance to alight and walk into Burford (none did as all
were going further). At the college there were already several school buses
including 2 6 wheel ex Hong Kong Metrobuses of Angelas. We parked up right
behind another bus, so it was obvious we would not leave before any other bus
and all buses left in a convoy at 1510. Both doors were open and most used the
centre door whilst only about 5 came in the front to pay their fares.
It then transpired that the fares were from scholars who left before Fulbrook as
they are not eligible for free passes, whilst all the others have County
supplied passes. There are only 2 drivers who have been vetted for driving the
children and the same driver is used on both trips every day. It was obvious
that he had a good rapport with the scholars knowing many by name and a comment
was made to one boy who went home but had not been on the morning trip. The bus
stop button was used infrequently as he knew which stop they all needed anyway.
The bus diverted to Ascott under Wychwood where 35 passengers alighted, the only
Stagecoach trip to the location although McLeans operate a single journey every
day.
The bus is an 83 seat (plus 5 standing) bus and there are 79 scholars travelling
daily. Fortunately only 2 regular non scholars are carried but if 10 were
travelling it could cause problems. The return had a couple of passengers until
to reached Burford when another 10 scholars came on board who are not in the
catchment area and needed to go to Witney, not receiving free transport.
Apart from the scholar travel (paid by County Education department), it is
obvious the service cannot operate without subsidy but has obviously built up a
small number of regular users from scratch.
Loading continue to improve on a number of journeys and there have been instances of full 94 loadings. Often, I understand, it is school groups who would otherwise not be able to afford a trip to London, who take advantage of this service.
SJI4558 operates the 1600 departure from Oxford to
London seen here in Hythe Bridge Street.
Seen on Friday 31st Oct at its London Marylebone end about to set off on a
return.
Photo by Colin Cooke
Whites of Abingdon
One correspondent wrote about the lack of blinds in the Vario of Whites.
R946AMB in St Aldates on Saturday, now with full
destination blinds, looking much smarter.
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
T734JHE, a Scania/Irizar on hire to National Express
last Saturday in Gloucester Green
I welcome your photos for
inclusion on this page. Please send them to me at
malcolmhc@aol.com
This is a most interesting site which I do recommend
Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002