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As mentioned elsewhere in this issue the Group has acquired Thamesdown of Swindon.

Go-Ahead operations on the South Coast will be responsible for the new acquisition.

Re the fleet changes a report from Lewis Nagle who writes "The ex-London Citaros have now returned after being converted to single door, upseated and otherwise refurbished. Interestingly the new seats are that of original generation Citaros and do not match those seats fitted from new. All are painted in all-over red and feature a 'city' logo on the front. For those who are interested, the registrations of 876-883 directly correspond to their identities at GAL: MEC21, 42-45, 47-49.

882 and 883 have found their home at Oxford as have since received full generic OBC branding. Similarly 877 and 878 are in use at Thames Travel as they are currently a couple of vehicles down on their required PVR. 878 features a rather clumsy large 'city' logo on the front, stuck towards the nearside so that it fits! The rest of the vehicles have yet to enter service; attached is a rather poor snap (due to the proximity of surrounding vehicles and walls) of 880 which was at the Carousel depot last time I was up there. 876 and another were also up there."

"Ref Citaro's, 882 and 883 will be permanently allocated to Oxford and now have their branding. Vehicles 876 to 881 are 'float' vehicles at the moment covering repaints. They will eventually go to Carousel and we are still evaluating what vehicles they will replace.

Following the unfortunate incident in High Wycombe when 418 crashed into the front of the property in Holmer Green, near High Wycombe, on the afternoon of December 18th 2016, we learn that the bus is to be repaired.

We understand that trainer 965 R218HCD has been out stationed at Wycombe to assist with driver training.

Whilst preparing this issue we were told that ex London MEC Citaro 880 had been seen in Wycombe but so far no pictures have emerged.

An unusual appearance on the short 40 to Stokenchurch on January 23rd was this StreetLite, 404, branded for the X80 Regatta route. Caught on camera by Malcolm Crowe.

First Appearance of an E400 on the 40 Stokenchurch short working was 216 on January 13th seen by Gavin Francis.

By February 15th a correction had been put in place and Flackwell is now correctly spelt as is the position of the route number,
now in accordance with DDA requirements.

Travelling further afield, this time 220 is working the 740 to Uxbridge, seen at Wycombe Bus Station on January 31st by Gavin Francis.

221 is seen on a 36 working in Wycombe Bus Station on January 17th by Gavin Francis.

This time 221 is in Stokenchurch on the short working on January 17th by Gavin Francis. It was a very foggy day!!

A surprise hire is this StreetLite SK65PWV working the 36 and last here in October 2016 seen on February 8th taken by Gavin Francis.

Carousel 406 at 10:27 on the short 40 working in Stokenchurch on February 13th by Gavin Francis.

218, 217, 215 and 214 seen in the yard on February 17th, it is school holidays so there is a reduced requirement at present. Picture by Malcolm Crowe.

Much news from this operator with all the new Park & ride StreetDecks now in service.

All the remaining StreetDecks should be here by 4 Feb and we have 663 to 676 so far. The final 6 will be 677 to 681 and then 662 (that will carry a different generic livery).

674	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford
675	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford
676	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford
677	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford
678	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford
679	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford
680	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford
681	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford
682	Wt StreetDeck	Wt	H45/29F	1/2017	City of Oxford

932 is here covering for late delivery of StreetDecks so shouldn't be here long. This picture taken by Graham Low on January 3rd.

All eight Citaros acquired from London have been to Bus and Coach World at Blackburn to have the centre door blocked in and be upseated. The end plan is to allocate two to Oxford and six to Carousel but this will be very fluid whilst our repaint programme is carried out. They will be numbered 876 to 883.

Two pictures of ex London MEC Citaro 879 by Graham Low.
879 showing that it has been converted to single door and has a ramp fitted. Its legals show that at present it is COMS owned rather than Carousel (as some suggested these eight might be).

879 in Park Ed Street working the X3 seen in Park Ed Street on February 6th by James Freeman.

20 is on loan from Arriva Bus & Coach for around 3 to 4 weeks so won't be here long. Picture by Gavin Francis on January 29th.

Phil Southall provided details of the ancillary fleet which may interest those who follow such matters.

ANCILLARY CREW VEHICLES

951     BV61KZN
952     BV61KZO
953     BV61KZP
954     BV61KZR
955     RE66VOB
956     RE66VOC

TRAINING VEHICLES

VOLVO B10M PLAXTON EXCALIBUR 961 V284SBW
OPTARE TEMPO                            962 YJ06FXW
                                                     963 YJ56WVT
VOLVO B10BLE – WRIGHT RENOWN 964 R225HCD
                                                       965 R218HCD

VANS
984 Y26OXF
985 AV07UVR
994 AV57CAO
998 BD11OGS Mercedes- Benz - Running Shift
999 OU56 JZF Ford Transit - Running Shift

Ian Rivett added to the above when reporting that COMS P&R StreetDeck buses 674-682 are all now registered 01/17: SK66 HUY/Z, HVA/B/C/D/E/FG

James Freeman also provided further pictures of the Citaros and the two hired double decks.

883 on the X3 in Queen Street OX on February 13th by James Freeman.
An interesting picture since when the new Westgate opens it is planned to make Queen St. pedestrians and cyclists!

932 and 940 share the station stand whilst on 5 road by James Freeman on February 8th.

At least 301 and 303 have now received full branding for the route 4 as seen in these pictures from James Freeman on February 14th.

James Lambeth also contributed saying "Oxford Bus Company's new arrival 20/YJ66 FGD at Gloucester Green earlier this afternoon (21/01/17). As I understand, this vehicle is undergoing trials with the company similar to the MB Tourismo (number 19/BV66 GVJ). I have also attached a photo of Park and Ride StreetDeck number 676/SK66 HVA at OBCs depot, taken earlier on in the day. I believe this may be of interest as this has not yet been seen in service (as of the 21st). I hope you like the photos."

940 is an interesting bus having previously spent time with Stagecoach in Preston! This shown by the fleet number displayed in the picture above, 80028!!
The use of glass on the staircase area is interesting, years ago that would never have passed the Ministry!!
Pictures taken by James Lambeth on February 13th.

Graham Low writes "COMS 879 (BT09 GOK) ex GAL MEC44, on the X13 this morning. It is now single door, repainted all-over red (Carousel shade?) and unbranded except for "city" on the front, with standard COMS front destination display, and route number only at rear, as in GAL days. Graham's pictures are above. 879 (ex GAL MEC44) is listed by LOTS as 12.0 metres long, as are most Citaros."

New Mercedes Benz staff ferry vehicles RE66 VOB/C were in use today. Picture by Gavin Francis.

Graham adds "I have seen Wright StreetDeck 940 but it was so dirty that I decided to wait until better weather for a picture!"

However James Freeman got an early dated picture though the weather and time of day did not give the best of results.

Vikki Lee writes "Couple of things from a morning around town on January 30th. Both 677 and 678 were new out on the road - both on the 400. 678 was at the station out-of-service pending its first journey on the 400. I note it had only 400 miles on its clock. 679 was reported at Heysham on Saturday past."

Adrian Wood writes "Former Park & Ride 301 spotted today working route 4C in new Purple livery. All other original P & R seen recently still in original green."

It seems that the BHX service will cease on our around March 25th which is sad!
Here 46 leaves Gloucester Green on January 29th by Gavin Francis.

We understand that tri-axles may replace the current fleet of Caetanos on the 737.
Here 53 on the 737 pauses at Stokenchurch on January 17th by Gavin Francis.

Not the busiest time for Brookes services means that branded buses may appear on other routes.
Here 201 is on the 300 on January 13th by Gavin Francis.

News from Ralph Adams on February 13th notes : "Thames travel X39 today had 207 & 208 back with TT logo on the front on the X39/X40. Both of these Scanias have been working with COMS recently but reallocations appear the norm. Also on this service was 877 again, still with City log on the front. All 3 buses have no logos on the sides.

Jack Cooper writes "I have seen changes to OBC's fleet with 231 transferred to Thames Travel, still in blue with some of it's airline livery on it, like the back window still has the plain on it. Also OBC 252 has been transferred still in green and with Thames Travel logo's still on, same as 231. would have thought that the 63 plate buses would stay with OBC and other buses would transfer. I haven't seen any of the Thames Travel buses that have transferred from London. Do you know what route they are operating on? Can't Waite for the new page to come out."

Graham Low sent some nice pictures of Thames Travel 933 on the 136 in Wallingford on January 30th.

Once intended for Southern Vectis but used until recently on the 500 service to Water Eaton,
253 is seen with its new operator on the X409 in Wallingford on January 5th by Graham Low.

231, now devoid of its Airline branding and working for Thames Travel on January 5th in St Aldates by Graham Low.
Well, there is still a reminder on the front upper deck window!

230 on the X32 passing St Giles ( we wonder why?) on January 26th by Gavin Francis.

In spite of reports to the contrary 208 is seen on the X2 at Carfax on January 9th by Richard Sharman.
As mentioned above both 207 and 208 are back with or still with Thames Travel.