Spottings & Jottings nr. 66 - March 8th 2013
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Current archives from October 2002
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advise of any mid-week news please let me know
malcolmhc@aol.com
Editorial
Well, quite some days in preparation here is the latest page. It takes quite a lot of planning to finalise the page in good time, especially since further very welcome news, information and pictures are continually coming in.
In this issue, apart from a lot of local news, I am including some articles and pictures on readers visits. As the days are now lengthening one may think of places to visit in the spring and summer and, with this in mind, I am pleased to share some ideas with readers. Nottingham, for example, looks really interesting. The city transport seems to have similarities with Reading, in both fleet and livery ideas.
Markov Zorro has sent some excellent pictures for our "Buses in the Landscape" section, which are very good quality.
A very nice reminder of the history of Victoria Coach Station. Gavin Francis
on February 26th.
The change of bus stops in Oxford from Queen Street took place many months ago now. however the congestion from the increase in stops on St Aldates has created the situation as seen in the picture below!
Oxford traffic problems week commencing 4th March reported by Artful Dodger.
Mon Mar 4
At 1054 the 3, 8/9 and X30 were diverted due to Speedwell St and Castle St being closed due to an incident. Routes 8, 9 and X30 were unable to serve Castle St. Routes 8/9 were picking-up in Bonn Square and the nearest stop for the X30 was St Aldates.
At 1106 Westgate Police also closed Thames St and Oxford Tube was unable to serve Speedwell St so the nearest stops were Gloucester Green and High St. At 1107 all OBC services diverted via Oxpens Rd.
At 1206 the area was still closed and the services were still diverting.
At 1222 Oxford Tube was able to serve Speedwell St.
At 1305 OBC services returned to normal as did Stagecoach services at 1331.
Wed Mar 6
At 1433 due to A fire at the bottom of Cowley Rd all OBC services using Cowley Rd only followed normal route City bound with outbound services diverting via Iffley Rd, Church Cowley Rd and Between Towns Rd where normal route was resumed.
At 1439 the road re-opened so services returned to normal.
Seems life is never easy!!
A significant event for an area outside London or Oxford is recorded in High Wycombe.
New Wycombe-Chesham bus service is number 1
The contract for the new service is signed at County Hall
BUS passengers are set for a better service between High Wycombe and Chesham
after two companies agreed to share the route.
Currently Arriva and Carousel Buses operate their own separate services
between the two towns, leading to confusion amongst customers.
But all that will change from April
14 after a merger was brokered between the two operators by Transport
for Buckinghamshire, with Arriva and Carousel combining the service.
The existing 4 and 62 services will be replaced by a new number 1 route,
which will take effect from next month. Serving High Wycombe, Hazlemere,
Holmer Green, Amersham and Chesham - alternating between the Pond Park and
Hilltop estates - the new service will run every 15 minutes.
Peter Hardy, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transport and
Planning, said: "I'm pleased that as a result of listening to our residents
we have been able to work with our providers to enable a more streamlined
service. I hope that as a result of this, all passengers will reap the
benefits of the improvements."
Paul Adcock, Regional Director at Arriva the Shires, said: “The new service,
offering a more co-ordinated timetable, gives existing customers and
potential customers a greater choice of travel and a more regular service
throughout the day. With joint marketing and promotions we hope that this is
the start of a successful link for the people of Chesham, Amersham and High
Wycombe.”
Philip Kirk, Managing Director of Carousel, said: “We’ve talked to our
passengers and its clear they expect the best possible bus service and that
is what we aim to deliver. The vehicles need to be comfortable and
convenient enough to tempt people to leave their cars at home and catch the
bus.”
The agreement was signed at County Hall in recently.
The Editor visits West Ham again
Due to the closure of Sammy's at Victoria, for lighting work, the "Park-ups" on the Oxford tube had to find alternative parking recently.
Your Editor already knowing the location of West Ham opted to take his coach to the Stagecoach depot for the day which always proves an interesting interlude.
Below are pictures taken on the day:
West Ham depot with Tube 50219 on February 7th by Malcolm Crowe
West Ham depot general views on February 7th by Malcolm Crowe
One of the large training fleet, Trident 17362 at West Ham depot on February
7th by Malcolm Crowe
West Ham operates the Heritage RMs on route 15 with four waiting service on
February 7th by Malcolm Crowe
Heritage Routemaster RM324 showing the cab on February 7th by Malcolm Crowe
The servicing of the sleeper coaches is done at West Ham where 51097 is seen
on February 7th by Malcolm Crowe
Running Days
Amersham & District
Motorbus Society
http://www.amershammotorbussociety.co.uk/
Nearly nine years ago and on 5 October 2003,
RLH48 takes a happy group of enthusiasts on a run
Also hopefully the launch of a green RT (a former WR one) now fully
restored.
Other Running Days in 2013
Sunday 14th July UXBRIDGE moved from 30th June to avoid clashing with a Cobham event.
Sunday 18th August HEMEL HEMPSTEAD.
Sunday 26th October AMERSHAM -25th anniversary rally.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society
The Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society was formed in June 2010 and aims to
provide an informal monthly social meeting in Oxford for those with an
interest in buses. Meetings are normally held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
and normally take the form of a picture show with local and guest
speakers. A small charge is made to cover the cost of hiring the function
room and this is usually around £1 for members per meeting depending on numbers.
For non-members a charge of £2 per head is made.
Next Meeting:
The March meeting will feature visiting speaker
Glyn Bowen, giving a talk entitled "My life with buses at work and
play".
Glyn worked in the bus industry for many years, mostly in Wales with a
mix of operators.
The date will be Tuesday 19th March 2013.
The society is currently looking to rebook the Folly Bridge Inn for the
meetings, however a fallback venue has been found. Check the web site
for an update on the meeting room situation for this meeting.
A detailed programme of meetings can be found at the following link and we hope many of you will attend future meetings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When readers take copies of pictures from the OCBP site
Some of the contributors to this site have noticed that their pictures are appearing on e-bay sites selling such things.
Needless to say this is a theft of copyright and one which I deplore!
I would not wish to have to watermark photographs, thereby making them unsalable as such but if this practice continues I shall be left with no alternative. I am sure this would detract from the pleasure so many of you get from the OCBP.
May I please ask readers to do two things?
1/ If you see any photos on sale please let me know and where they are appearing.
2/ If you are someone who has copied and sold photos please desist as this is theft and I will have to take legal action against anyone found doing so.
The site is free to all readers and I pay a price to publish the pages which is not passed on.
Please respect those freedoms and I hope I may not have to mention this matter again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The level of contribution to this page by readers, as ever, remains excellent! Thank you all.
Malcolm Crowe - Editor - OCBP - March 8th 2013
Spottings
Discussion
From Trevor Wilson
I see the Arriva 353 has now changed to Hemel Hempstead - from June 2012 it
would appear. Anyone know why? And which depots work the route -
used to be High Wycombe.
Used to live in Chalfont St Peter and occasionally used the 353.
Observations and pictures
Local News
Aylesbury Bus Services Alternations from Sunday 24th February 2013
From 24th February 2013 there alternations to the
following Aylesbury area routes.
Routes are - 2, Bus Station to Hayden Hill - small
adjustments including the Monday to Saturday late evening journeys now run a
little later, off the journeys from High Wycombe.
Route 50 - Aylesbury- Halton Camp - adjustments
some early morning and the late evening journeys on Mondays - Fridays - to
improve running time.
Route 60 - Aylesbury-Buckingham-Maids Morton -
adjustments to some early morning and early evening journeys - to improve
running time.
Route 200 is withdrawn
Route 280 - Aylesbury-Oxford - 280 journeys now
replace the short lived route 200 Additional journeys have been added on
Mondays - Fridays in early morning.
Additional evening journeys are provided, with
two extra journeys from Aylesbury on Friday and three extra journeys from
Oxford on Friday and Saturday nights, with the last bus 02.15 hrs. from
Oxford, arriving Aylesbury 03.21hrs.
Aylesbury has now joined most other main roads
from Oxford with very late journeys ion Friday and Saturday nights.
One minute added to Oxford bound
Mondays-Friday off peak journeys to improve running time.
Route 300 - Aylesbury-High Wycombe
For Buckinghamshire NHS staff working at High
Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals will now be able to use their passes
on new early morning journey at 06.05 hrs from High Wycombe seven days a
week.
Additional added Monday to Friday evenings
for NHS shift workers, the late evening journeys are now at least 19 minutes
later, with the last bus leaving Aylesbury at 23.05 hrs. High Wycombe at
23.50 hrs., six nights a week, both are the latest ever
provided on the through journeys on the route
On Sundays first journey added
at 07.45 hrs from Aylesbury, instead of running to
High Wycombe out of service to provide 09.05 hrs. journey to Aylesbury and
onward to Milton Keynes.
Many bus services in the county have been
improved on same rural and mainly on inter urban routes over the last three
years.
With funding alternations due this year
services may be withdrawn or changed during the year.
Colin Richardson
Fleet News
Arriva 3930 departs The Point in Milton Keynes for
Aylesbury.
This bus certainly gets around having been seen
on the 200, 280 and 300 apart from now the 150.
Former RH Buses Kidlington Town Service Solo, 501
is now with Z&S.
From Glenn de Sousa
On the 23rd January, Compass Travel bought a Volvo
B10M/Plaxton Paragon from Drew Wilson (dealer). The coach was previously
registered W12 WSC with Whitestar Coaches in Glasgow. It was new to
Harrison’s Coaches (I don’t know where they are) in March 2000.
Here is some information on Roadrunner, who took up
the Centrebus Harlow services:
Roadrunner Buses
None of the vehicles transferred from Centrebus -
Roadrunner purchased ex-Metroline Darts as Gavin said, but also purchased
ex-Stagecoach London ALX200's. All acquired vehicles for the extended
operation are:
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II |
Y153NLK |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II |
Y161NLK |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II |
Y237NLK |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II |
Y662NLO |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II |
Y667NLO |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II |
Y669NLO |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II |
Y672NLO |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 |
LX51FGV |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 |
LX51FGJ |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 |
LX51FGN |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 |
LX51FGO |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 |
LX51FHF |
|
Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 |
LX51FHG |
Irisbus Agoraline AU05 FKC from closely linked and
local operator SM Coaches entered service on the routes.
The services that transferred were:
C1: Turnford, Cheshunt, Goffs Oak, Cuffley
(Mondays to Saturdays)
C2: Cheshunt, Brookfield, The Old Pond, Waltham
Cross. (Mondays to Saturdays)
C3: Harlow Bus Stn, Stansted Abbots, Hoddesdon,
Broxbourne, Turnford, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross. (Mondays to Saturdays)
C4: Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne,
Wormley, Turnford, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross. (Sundays)
341: Hertford, Essenden, Hatfield Galleria, Ware
College. (Mondays to Saturdays)
351: Hertford, Stansted Abbots, Much Hadham,
Bishops Stortford, Stansted Airport. (Mondays to Saturdays)
324: Broxbourne Station, Hertford. (Mondays to
Saturdays)
311: Hertford North, Ware, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne,
Cheshunt, Waltham Cross. (Sundays)
Roadrunner Buses, Harlow took over the Centrebus Harlow operations on the
4/5th November 2012. No buses were included in the deal, but a number of
ex-Stagecoach London Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200s were bought for the
operation of the new routes. They are:
LX51 FGJ/N/O/N, FHF/G. All of the Darts acquired by
Roadrunner for the former Centrebus services are now in corporate livery.
Some of the same type arrived for sister company SM
Coaches, Harlow, they are:
LX51 FFW, FGU, FHA/B/H/J-L, Y293/6,346/51 FJN.
Three shorter vehicles arrived this month for SM
Coaches, at this stage they are in London red from their service with
Stagecoach London. They are Y244/8/52 FJN. They are expected to be repainted
into the Roadrunner/Olympian livery.
At TGM Harlow, the latest vehicle to acquire
Network Harlow two-tone blue livery is Mini Pointer Dart 3828 (KE03UKK).
Scania Omnidekka YN55 NKZ has been transferred from
London United (RATP) to Bath Bus Company (RATP) to work the Windsor tour. It
operates out of the London United Hounslow garage.
Also at BBC to work the new Bath Airport Shuttle as
A501-505 are ex-London United SK52 URX/Y, USG/H/J.
Herts CC have published the results of the recent
Local Bus Services tender. Important changes are:
Sent from Windows Mail
-
the 90/91 (in Letchworth) will pass from Centrebus to Landmark Coaches
-
The Roadrunner section of the 242 has been awarded to Uno
-
The 353 (Sunday only, I think) service will pass from Arriva to Red
Rose. This is under a joint tender with route 352
-
The S4/S5 will pass from Uno to Redline (Daytime only)
-
The 5 and 354 will pass from Centrebus to Uno.
The whole fleet of buses working the Bath Bus
Company (City Sightseeing) Windsor Tour are:
267 - P767 SWC
307 - N537 LHG
391 - V901 FEC
360 - AE60 GRU
361 - YN55 NKZ
267/307 are Volvo/Olympians, 391 an Alexander
Dennis Trident 2/ALX400
From the 2nd April, Roadrunner Buses have
registered the 351 (Stansted - Hertford) commercially.
28 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Diesel’s are due
at Potters Bar (Metroline) for Transport for London route
82. They are going to be TE1420-1447.
T1420-1422 have been delivered to Metroline’s CELF
Centre in Perivale (the Central Engineering and Logistics Facility).
(07-08/02/13)
TE1420 is LK62 DXM
TE1421 is LK62 DXP
TE1422 is LK62 DXS
TE1423-1447 are due soon
Courtney Buses,
Finchampstead (Bracknell)
An update to my last email re Courtney
Solo’s:
YJ62 FMD is in plain all over white (06/2/13 - seen
at around 1600)
YJ62 FYH has received Courtney lettering on its
plain white livery. YJ57 XXE wore the silver Bedfont Lakes livery at the end
of last year, though I am not sure whether it still does. Can anyone help on
this, has the bus been withdrawn?
Courtney Slimline Solo’s YJ57 XWN/P/R/T have been
sold to Nottingham City Transport. They are 144-7 in that fleet, in that
order. They will enter service there next month as they are currently
undergoing a repaint from all over white which Courtney sold them with.
Golden Boy have recently taken
delivery of 3 Mercedes Benz Sprinters/Paramount Conversions. Two of them are
19 seaters, the other seats 16.
Features:
- Parcel Racks
- Autoclima (roof-mounted and in dashboard) air
conditioning
They also have their 2004 Sitcar Beluga advertised for sale along with 2
1999 Van Hool’s.
The VDL Futura 2’s for Anderson Travel that I noted
in the last S&J were supplied by Moseley in the South.
There are several 13 plate coaches for Anderson’s,
following on from the last S&J. They are:
Sitcar Beluga (C25F
seating)
WA13 AKZ,ALO/U,AMK.
They are on a Mercedes chassis.
VDL (Bova) Futura
WA13 AMO/U/X. I am unsure whether WA13 AMV is for
this operator, but it looks likely.
AMU seats 53, AMX seats 49.
Also, a new Van Hool TX27
has been ordered by
New Bharat Coaches (based
in Southall). It’s body is that of the new Van Hool TX range - it is
registered as BC13 NBC.
Galleon Travel
A new Irizar i6 coach is YN62 DNO.
Logic/Galleon Travel, Essex: ex-Metroline T35 KLD
suffered accident damage and was withdrawn earlier and has now been
scrapped.
Ensignbus, Purfleet:
Ex-Metroline Plaxton President T105 KLD was on loan
to Xelabus in January. It is 905 in the Ensign fleet, still in London red
from previous operator.
Mullany's Buses
Mullany's buses Watford have acquired a second hand
Enviro 200, KX59 CXT, and its first day in service was the 25th February. It
was new to Renown (Bexhill-on-Sea) in October 2009. It's seating layout is
B29F and is equipped with digital destination displays, however, these were
not fully programmed when it entered service with Mullany’s as if I am not
mistaken, they are the first LED displays for the company. More new/acquired
vehicles are to be introduced soon.
East Lancs Millennium Viking PL51 LGF has returned
off lease to Volvo (who supplied the chassis for the bus).
At least 3 Enviro 200’s are due for fleet renewal
at Mullany’s. This is supported by the Big Herts Big Ideas scheme (funding
from the government). Also a few new Optare’s are due for Mullanys as well
to enter service in March.
A further Enviro 200, seen on 4/5th March, in
Mullany’s livery is KX59 CXS.
A new Volvo/Plaxton Panther 2 for Horseman Coaches,
Reading is YN13 AWF.
Mark also mentions about the new buses and route changes for Mullany's Buses.
Roger Knott writes that on short
trip into CENTRAL LONDON Sat 23.2.2013 he saw:-
OXFORD 51 working X90
& BAKERS EB60MTB coach parked at HYDE PARK.
New vehicles on TFL bus routes introduced in
Central London this month are E400s on route 36 E261-E275 - E400 HYBRIDS
ADH23-ADH51 on route 27 and new VOLVO/WRIGHT vehicles have started to appear
on route 52 but didn't see any.
and TGM
From Lewis Nagle
I have attached a photo of 3873 (KE57EPA) on route 724. The usual 724 workings are the specially branded Green Line Citaros, but one of the Wrights from the same garage appears to have escaped onto the route. I think that Wrights actually suit it more, not sure why!
These are of course the Eclipse 1.5s, they are on
the newer B7RLE chassis but still use older style bodywork. These are still
in the Arriva National livery as opposed to the newer Arriva InterUrban
livery.
Not much going on in Aylesbury at the moment but I have managed to get a
couple of pictures for the page.
Arriva 0441 (YJ10 LZV) unusually operating
Aylesbury Town service Blue Route 2.
Arriva 3269 (T493 KGB) unusually operating route 50
which is normally operated by a double decker.
Recently transferred into Aylesbury is Arriva 3274
(V274 HBH) which is seen operating route 150.
Blue route 2 branded Arriva 3296 (X296 MBH) unusually operating route 61.
The oldest double decker in the Aylesbury fleet
Arriva 5145 (N45 JPP) is seen operating route 55.
Adding to the picture of 5145 (N45 JPP) sister
vehicle 5144 (N35 JPP) has been withdrawn from service at Aylesbury.
Arriva 5439 (SN58 EOM) is seen operating route 280.
3437/9 were not ready for repaint but 3439 was
unbranded today.
24th February
First of all 5447 (W447 XKX) was towed away a few weeks back with front body
damage and I have included a picture of 5447 in October 2012 operating route
60.
At the depot today (24th February) was a white Dennis Trident registered
V107 LGC, which may be a loan to cover for 5447. I have included a picture
of it at the depot.
Also at the depot at the back was 5150 (S150 KNK) being stripped for spares
and I have included a picture with it in the middle.
Dart 3826 is seen on the right of the picture prior to its transfer to
MK. Ed.
From Adam Green
I was in the car Heading Home last night and 4200
Green Line from Luton came out of Grove Hill and went on to Woodhall Farm it
must be on loan at Hemel
5154 is at Hemel from Watford
4200 was on Test in Hemel to see if it could Get
Round on the 758 i herd it got round ok and we might be getting a Few also
3281,3282 from Luton and 5154 from Watford are also at Hemel Hempstead
3282 was Broken Down for 3 hours parked up in Town
5458 was on 500 to Watford
3567 was also on 500 to Watford
From Pete Cabin
3865KE05FMP is no longer on any of High Wycombe
allocation boards it was recently on the VOR board. This bus has been of the
road for several months now it’s possible it may have been sent back to
Volvo for repair or it’s been transferred.
Regarding 3457W457XKX that is still on the VOR
board, has also been off the road for several months.
From Glenn de Sousa
At Arriva Shires and Essex some recent arrivals
from the Arriva London have been DAF
SB120/Wright Cadet 4535 (LJ03 MYL), 4536 (LJ03 MYM) and 4537 (LJ53 NGX), the
latter of the two are in service at Garston.
Further updates for the Arriva Group:
Arriva the Shires Citaro 3918
transferred from Garston (route 321) to Milton Keynes as a spare for the
Platinum MK 300 service. By yesterday (28/02), this was repainted into a NEW
Platinum MK livery and in service
All of the Optare Versa’s for Garston have been
delivered and were launched yesterday, 1st March. They all have PerfectTen
branding for the route as well as adverts on the roof (If I am not
mistaken). They also have colourful advertising for PerfectTen on the rear.
The 10 new buses that are running on route
10 each have a different 'reason' for using the route posted on the rear;
these include a 10-journey ticket for - yes, you've guessed it - £10.
3413 has reason 10 (light purple): No parking hassle
3414 has reason 2 ([darker] orange): Great value
tickets, Unlimited travel for less than £1.50 per day
3415 has reason 1 (light green): Frequent service
throughout the day
3416 has reason 5 (light green): Work shifts or
part time? 10 trips for just £10 on route 10
3417 has reason 4 (yellow): Sit back and read a
book on the way to work
3418 has reason 6 (dark green): Forget about the
cost of insurance, parking and fuel; take the bus and save £££s
3419 has reason 3 ([lighter] orange): Weekly ticket
just £10, Start saving now
3420 has reason 8 (dark blue): This bus could take
more than 40 cars off the road
3421 has reason 7 (light blue): Want to read the
paper before you get to work? Jump on board
3422 has reason 9 (dark
purple): Save money, save C02 , get the bus
The launch of the new service
Picture courtesy Arriva.
http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/serviceInformation.aspx?id=12749
High Wycombe news
At least one MCV Evolution MAN 14.220 will transfer
from Arriva Medway Towns (previously with TGM) to Arriva the Shires, most
likely to High Wycombe as buses are required for a contract.
Dart P526 YJO has transferred from High Wycombe to
Milton Keynes, it is still in the Red 33 livery. At least one VDL/Wright
Cadet is in an all over wrap for a local business.
ALX300 3459 ,W459 XKX, is the last of it’s type at
the Stevenage depot - all others having transferred to Wycombe in earlier
months/years.
The whole batch of Enviro 300’s for the 300/301 and
Pulsar 2’s for the SB1 still remain in the former Arriva national livery
apart from ADE300 KX12 HAE which was delivered last year as part of the Big
Herts Big Ideas scheme.
3300, R524 TWR, has gained an LED digital display
at the front.
Crew transfer taxi N336 PHX is at Stevenage with
branding for
greenline 797.
DAF/Plaxton coach 4365 is now a driver trainer.
Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer T829 NMJ (could be NMJ) has been re-instated at TGM Harlow.
Arriva Southern Counties:
-
Volvo B5LH/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2's 7004 - KX62 JZN, 7005 - KX62 JBZ,
7006 - KX62 JCU , 7008 - KX62 JDO and 7011 - KX62 JHV have been seen on
delivery at Heysham Docks (where all Wrightbus vehicles come into the
UK).
-
The Optare Versa’s for Arriva Medway Towns will be based at the
Gillingham depot.
- Arriva Kent Thameside have recently lost Transport for London route 233 to Metrobus, part of the Go-Ahead group. The route used 7 E200Dart/Enviro 200 8.9m’s - they were awarded it on 23/02/2008 and operated from their Dartford base. The vehicles were:
-
1643 GN57BPF
1644 GN57BPK
1645 GN57BPO
1646 GN57BPU
1647 GN57BPV
1648 GN57BPX
1649 GN57BPY-
These vehicles will be transferred to Lea Valley Bus Garage and are
likely to have their fleet numbers changed to EN16-EN22.
-
These vehicles will be transferred to Lea Valley Bus Garage and are
likely to have their fleet numbers changed to EN16-EN22.
The 16
Optare Versa’s for
Southend will have their 62
plates voided for 13 plates and will enter service in March.
33 Volvo B5L Hybrid Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2s are due for Arriva Merseyside, seating H41/25F, are due for Birkenhead garage for use on Cross-River services in Mrseyside. They are:
4503-MX13 AFJ
4504-MX13 AEE
4505-MX13 AEF
4506-MX13 AEG
4507-MX13 AEJ
4508-MX13 AEK
4509-MX13 AEL
4510-MX13 AEM
4511-MX13 AEN
4512-MX13 AEO
4513-MX13 AEP
4514-MX13 ACY
4515-MX13 ACZ
4516-MX13 ADO
4517-MX13 ADU
4518-MX13 ADV
4519-MX13 ADZ
4520-MX13 AEA
4521-MX13 AEB
4522-MX13 AEC
4523-MX13 AED
4524-MX13 ABK
4525-MX13 ABN
4526-MX13 ABO
4527-MX13 ABU
4528-MX13 ABZ
4529-MX13 ACF
4530-MX13 ACJ
4531-MX13 ACO
4532-MX13 ACU
4533-MX13 ACV
4534-MX13 AAE
4535-MX13 AAF
New Hybrid and Compressed Natural Gas powered vehicles for the Arriva Group
are:
Arriva North East
Service 308: Blyth - Billy Mill - Newcastle - 10
new electric hybrid double-deckers
Service 2, 11 and 12 in Darlington - 11 new
CNG-powered single-deckers
Arriva Southern Counties
Service 71: Snodland - Maidstone - 11 new electric
hybrid double-deckers
Arriva North West
Service 10: Salford - Manchester - 11 new electric
hybrid double-deckers
Cross River services
407, 432, 433, 437, 464 and 472 - 33 new electric hybrid buses
Runcorn Busway service 1 and 2, services 21 and X30 - 10 new CNG-powered single-deckers
Now that the last Leyland bodied Olympian in the Arriva the Shires fleet
(H197 GRO) appears to have been withdrawn I thought you might like these
photos of it earlier in its life. The first shows it at Watford
Junction with Luton & District when almost new in April 1991 and the second
shows it in the same place in September 2002 when it was in Golden Jubilee
livery with Arriva The Shires.
I can confirm that Centrebus 113 (L713 JUD), which was new to Thames
Transit, is still in service at Luton. Here is a photo of it taken on
the morning of March 5th 2013.
An interesting observation this afternoon (March 4th) in Bletchley was
Arriva The Shires Dart 3826 (P526 YJO) working route 4. It was still
in red livery with High Wycombe Red Route 33 branding. I’ll add a
photograph to my website shortly -
http://166emj.piwigo.com/index?/category/58-beds_bucks_and_herts_photographs_2013
There are already a few interesting photos on the website taken this year
including a Centrebus East Lancs Esteem bodied Scania fitted with guide
wheels to test the viability of using such vehicles on the Luton – Dunstable
busway when it opens later this year (hopefully!).
I now include a number of pictures taken since the last page.
Arriva 3282 in Hemel town, broken down, on February 19th seen by Adam Green.
TGM 634 GN07AVO on revised route 133 at Stansted Airport on March 5th seen
by Gavin Francis.
This bus originates from Arriva southern Counties, hence the Guildford
registration.
Route 133 can be seen at
http://www.airportbybus.com/
Arriva 3482 on the West Wycombe road on March 20th seen by Malcolm Crowe.
The Golden Ball church tower at West Wycombe is seen in the background.
Arriva 3701 seen at Cressex depot sheeted over after an accident taken on
February 15th by Malcolm Crowe.
All three Park & Ride DAFs have now been involved in accidents and of
course 3703 is now in national livery.
Arriva 3743 and 3745 seen at Cressex depot awaiting entry into service taken
on March 5th by Malcolm Crowe.
These buses have come from Gatwick hotelbybus service.
I believe I saw one of these buses today, March 8th on the PR1
service in High Wycombe. Ed.
hotelbybus AE56MBV seen at Cressex depot on February 15th by Malcolm Crowe.
This bus can be seen in its present condition above after repaint.
http://www.gatwickairport.com/transport/hotel-transfers/
Part of the line up at Cressex depot on March 5th as seen by Malcolm Crowe.
3745, 3181 minus engine and 4532 are seen above.
Arriva 3822 at Cressex depot on February 5th unlikely to run again in High
Wycombe taken by Malcolm Crowe.
A fine study of DAF 6300 in Wycombe bus station on February 18th by Malcolm
Crowe.
These buses seem quite successful on the hills are the town.
Still bearing an Olympic super rear this E400 is working the 280 service on
February 21st by Richard Sharman
This is a very interesting company with a fine fleet of coaches often seen throughout the Chilterns and Oxfordshire. you can see details of their fleet at the following link.
http://www.bmcoaches.co.uk/bm-coach-fleets.html
BM Coaches YJ60GKK Van Hool T917-Van Hool Astronef T9 Park Lane 260212 G
Francis
This coach boasts a full width glass roof.
From
Noel Clark
The permanent fleet allocation has now been
decided, the result of which is MAN/MCV Evolutions 418 & 419 have gone to
Thames Travel and Optare Tempos 804 & 806 have returned to Carousel. MAN/MCV
Stirlings 415 & 417 are now back from London Bus & Truck after being painted
purple for the Purple Route 35 & 36. The branding should be applied this
week. Dart/Plaxton Pointer 561 will be withdrawn for disposal in due course.
Our surplus vehicles DAF/Plaxton Prestige 481, Dart/Plaxton pointer DPL480
and DAF/Wright Cadet 521 are remaining at Thames Travel.
415
STL9 AF53GCX
MAN 14.220 MCV Stirling B38F
2003 Carousel Purple, to be 35/36 branded
416
STL10 AF53GCY
MAN 14.220 MCV Stirling B38F
2003 Carousel
417
STL11 AF53GCZ
MAN 14.220 MCV Stirling B38F 2003
Carousel Purple, to be 35/36 branded
420
ENV16 RX60DLY
MAN 14.240 ADL Enviro 200 B38F
2010 Carousel
421
ENV17 RX60DLZ
MAN 14.240 ADL Enviro 200 B38F
2010 Carousel Line 4
422
ENV18 RX60DME
MAN 14.240 ADL Enviro 200 B38F
2010 Carousel Line 4
423
ENV19 RX60DMF
MAN 14.240 ADL Enviro 200 B38F
2010 Orange Orange Route 39 branded
424
ENV20 RX60FKF
MAN 14.240 ADL Enviro 200 B38F
2010 Orange Orange Route 39 branded
561
DPL423 P423MLE
Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer B31F 1997 Purple Purple Route 35/36 branded
751
P22
YX07HNO Enterprise Bus Plaxton Primo B28F
2007 Carousel
752
P24
YX07HPJ Enterprise Bus Plaxton Primo B28F
2007 Green Countyrider
753
P25
RK07BNF Enterprise Bus Plaxton Primo B28F
2007 Carousel
801
C1 WYC Optare Tempo Optare
B46F 2006 Carousel Route 4
802
C2 WYC Optare Tempo Optare
B47F 2007 Carousel
803
C3 WYC Optare Tempo Optare
B47F 2007 Carousel
804
YJ56 WUD Optare Tempo Optare
B47F 2007 Carousel
805
YJ56 WUE Optare Tempo Optare
B47F 2007 Carousel
806
YJ56 WVS Optare Tempo Optare
B47F 2007 Carousel
807
YJ56 WVT Optare Tempo Optare
B47F 2007 Carousel
808
YJ56 WVU Optare Tempo Optare
B47F 2007 Carousel
809
YJ56 WVV Optare Tempo Optare
B47F 2007 Carousel
871 MB51 CB51 BUS Mercedes Citaro Mercedes B42F 2003 Carousel Link
872 MB53 CB53 BUS Mercedes Citaro Mercedes B42F 2003 Carousel Link
873 MBA26 AE61 EWO Mercedes OC500U MCV Evolution
B43F 2011 Carousel Link
874 MBA27 AE61 EWP Mercedes OC500U MCV Evolution
B43F 2011 Carousel Link
875 MBA28 AE61 EWR Mercedes OC500U MCV Evolution
B43F 2011 Carousel Link
918 EVL4 PN02XBZ Volvo B7 East Lancs Vyking
H45/23D 2002 LT red
919 EVL5 PN02XCA Volvo B7 East Lancs Vyking
H45/23D 2002 LT red
920 EVL6 PN02XCK Volvo B7 East Lancs Vyking
H45/23D 2002 LT red
921 EVL7 PN02XCS Volvo B7 East Lancs Vyking
H45/23D 2002 Carousel
922 EVL8 PN02XCT Volvo B7 East Lancs Vyking
H45/23D 2002 LT red
923 L530 G530VBB Leyland Olympian Northern
Counties H47/27D 1990 Blue The Blue Bus
924 L534 G534VBB Leyland Olympian Northern
Counties H47/27D 1990 Blue The Blue Bus
925 L554 H554GKX Leyland Olympian Leyland
H47/31F 1991 Carousel
927 L563 H563GKX Leyland Olympian Leyland
H47/31F 1991 Carousel
928 R267 LGH Volvo Olympian Northern Counties
H47/31F 1997 Blue The Blue Bus
929 R269 LGH Volvo Olympian Northern Counties
H47/31F 1997 Blue The Blue Bus
930 R270 LGH Volvo Olympian Northern Counties
H47/31F 1997 Blue The Blue Bus
931 R287 LGH Volvo Olympian Northern Counties
H47/31F 1997 Blue The Blue Bus
521 DAF54 CB54BUS DAF SB120 Wright Cadet B30F 2004 White
DPL480 P480 MLE Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer
B31F 1997 Carousel
419 EVO15 AE59AWJ MAN 14.240 MCV Evolution B44F 2010
Red
From April both our 4 and Arriva’s 62 will be
rebranded as “The One” and a qualifying agreement has been signed.
From Paul Dudfield
The Irisbus Agora Lines 471-3, OU55 PUO/V AND RX06 WYU (C1-3WYC) have been sold to
Beacon Bus, Dolton Beacon,
Dolton, Winkleigh, Devon. EX19 8PS.
Ex-Carousel Agora Lines now with Beacon Bus
OU55PUVF seen in Exeter on January 7th by Paul Dudfield
Ex-Carousel Agora Lines now with Beacon Bus RX06
WYU
Above are a couple of pictures of the ex-Carousel Agora Lines now with Beacon Bus. Both were taken in Exeter Bus Station, RX06 WYU on 3/12/12 and OU55 PUV on 7/1/13.
MCV Evolutions/MAN 14.220’s 418 and 419 permanently transferred from Carousel Buses to Thames Travel. Tempo 804 has returned to Carousel.
Carousel in pictures
Carousel 804 now returned to Wycombe after loan
to Thames Travel seen on February 20th by Malcolm Crowe.
Carousel 807 and 875 at Wycombe bus station on February 18th by Malcolm
Crowe.
Centrebus
From Glenn de Sousa
At
Centrebus, from Harlow (old
operations) to Stevenage is Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer 537 (Y257
NLK). Transfers from the closed Harlow operation are two Dennis Dart SLFs
513 (S522 KFL) and 528 (Y254 FJN) to the Centrebus-owned K-Line Fleet.
Also ex-Veolia England Optare Solo 9.2 metre, YN04
LWT, is fleet number 275 and is at the Stevenage depot.
From Mike Penn
I can confirm that Centrebus 113 (L713 JUD), which
was new to Thames Transit, is still in service at Luton. Here is a
photo of it taken March 5th 2013.
CSS operated in Oxford by Tom Tappin
From Glenn de Sousa
Ex-City Sightseeing Oxford (Tom Tappin Ltd.)
Olympian/Alexander 51 (MUI 7851) was at Ensign Purfleet (09/02/13)
Oxford bus Tridents 110 and 115 have been purchased
for use as open toppers on the City services. They are presently at Bus
Works, Blackburn for conversion.
CSS 53 in St Aldates on February 23rd by Malcolm
Crowe.
First 65724 on route X74 in Wycombe on February 18th by Malcolm Crowe.
This bus carries revised branding but I was unable to get a better
picture.
From
First Berkshire are in the process
of receiving five Plaxton Presidents from First London, to be allocated to
Bracknell. As of yesterday (7/2) only 33181 is at Bracknell. They are to be:
LR02 LYY (33179)
LR02 LYZ (33180)
LR02 LZA (33181)
LR02 LZB (33182)
LR02 LZC (33183)
LZA entered service before or on the 1st February.
All the Presidents will go through a full refurbishment and single door
conversion, and be painted into the First Lilac Livery (new corporate
livery). Just a note: all First Berkshire buses are maintained at the Slough
garage.
First Essex have taken delivery of 47401, a brand new Wrightbus Streetlite Door Forward. It is in the new lilac First livery, but unregistered (07/02/13)
Heyfordian YJ59NNO r 25A Magdalen St East OX
230213 M Crowe
http://www.nationalexpress.com/
Pictures of recent deliveries
NEx De Courcey MD16 FN62CME
seen in Bulleid Way on February 10th by Malcolm Crowe.
NEx East Yorkshire 74 FN62CEA
seen in Bulleid Way on February 17th by Malcolm Crowe.
NEx Lucketts FN62CZZ on route
A3 at Victoria Coach Station on March 4th 2013 by Malcolm Crowe.
New coaches courtesy "Trident"
FJ13 DZZ
208 Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT
Selwyns (Runcorn)
FJ13 EBC
209 Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT
Selwyns (Runcorn)
FJ13 EBD
210 Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT
Selwyns (Runcorn)
FJ13 EBF
211 Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT
Selwyns (Runcorn)
FN62 CME
MD15 Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT Travel De
Courcey
FN62 CVS
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT Luckett’s
(Fareham)
FN62 CVY
X4816 Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT Luckett’s
(Fareham)
FN62 CWD X4817
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT Luckett’s (Fareham)
FN62 CXP
X4818 Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT
Luckett’s (Fareham)
FN62 CZP X4819
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT Luckett’s
(Fareham)
From Martin White
Don’t know whether you’ve heard but during March NX
Ops are to close their Crawley Depot, resulting in some major changes to
their operations:
727 Gatwick - Norwich, All operations split between
Sipson Road & Stansted with the timetable altered to include Cambridge on
all journeys.
747 Brighton - Heathrow, Timetable Alterations.
787 Heathrow - Cambridge, Timetable alterations.
797 Gatwick - Cambridge, Service Withdrawn.
025 Brighton - Victoria, Operation transferred to
Lucketts Group to be operated by Worthing Coaches.
A3 Gatwick - Victoria, Operation transferred to
Lucketts Group to be operated from Lucketts Fareham Base & Integrated with
their 030/2 operations.
Also earlier changes already have seen Epsom
Coaches 550 Victoria - Liverpool diagram taken back in-house by NEx ops from
Sipson Road and retimed & re-numbered to a 540, operating via Manchester on
its outward journey to Liverpool, losing the MK Coachway stop & Stoke,
return operates as normal; Liverpool - Stoke - MK Coachway - Victoria.
Travellers Choice PO12 CWG on the 341
Little's of Ilkeston VIL9335 previously Haytons
MX56HYZ outside VCS on March 1st by Malcolm Crowe
NEx Parkes HSK644 on route 500 in Sammy's on
February 9th by Malcolm Crowe
NEx SCO 53701 route 737 Park End St February 23rd
by Malcolm Crowe.
With the demise of Crawley depot the end is in
sight for the LK53's, and CY78 is seen on the 025 in Bulleid Way 270212
Gavin Francis.
NEx De Courcey FJ11MLU MD10 with new branding for
the little brown book near VCS 060213 Gavin Francis
A breakdown in Sammy's, Victoria is not the
easiest to recover as seen above. Malcolm Crowe.
Coaches have to be reversed out as they cannot get the turn out for the
exit to Elizabeth Street.
Latest fleet list is to be found at this link.
http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/content/doc/cms/OBCfleetlist-201212.pdf
All of the new Volvo Hybrids are now in service
which due to work prior to entry into service were somewhat delayed. They
have been seen on City routes 2, 3, 5 and 8. Reports on their use would be
appreciated.
The 2xx series Scanias are now seen on most routes
except the 5 where only occasional sightings have been reported.
The coach fleet has seen the removal of wheel trims
recently which has not done anything for their appearance.
One is not sure what the reason for this action is?
Citaros 849-862 have all moved to Thames Travel
with only 861 and 862 remaining to be repainted.
Withdrawn Scania coaches appear stored near the
services at junc. 8/8A on the M40/A40 triangle.
------
Ex COMS B10B with Oxford Playbus, seen at their
Offices Repainted
Scania 223 r 4A at Frideswide Sq. on February 21st by Richard Sharman.
Hybrid 368 in plain fleet livery
Hybrid 359
Hybrid 366 in plain fleet livery
Oxford's latest batches of New Buses pass on The
High, SC 36764 & Oxford's Hybrid 369
All COMS coaches seem to be currently running minus wheel trims as
illustrated by Airline 15 seen on February 21st by Richard Sharman.
Oxford fleet in pictures
All of the new Hybrid deckers are now in
service
Scania 16 unloads in St Aldates on February 23rd
by Malcolm Crowe
Scania 214 passes TT Citaro 854 St Aldates on
February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Scania 224 operates the 3 along New Road on
February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
This time Scania 225 heads up New Road on a 3
road working on February 14th by Malcolm Crowe
Scania 226 works the X13 up New Road
on February 14th by Malcolm Crowe
The final Scania 231 on a 13 road working in Park End St
on February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Hybrid 351 passes Scania 206 at Carfax corner
on February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Hybrids 356 and 368 pass in St Aldates giving the front and the back in one
view
on February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Hybrid 356 passes Citaro 870 in St Aldates under the watchful eye of the Tom
Tower
on February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Hybrid 362 negotiates the busy corner at Carfax on route 3
on February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Hybrid 365 on a 5 road working heads towards the station on New Rd
on February 14th by Malcolm Crowe
Hybrid 369 heads up St Aldates on a 5 road working hotly pursued by an
Oxford tube
on February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Citaro 840 on a 4 road working on New Rd watched over by the tower of
Nuffield College
on February 14th by Malcolm Crowe
Citaro 842 is seen on 4 road workings, first in Frideswide Sq. and then on
the High St
on February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Citaro 843 seen on a 9 road working at the bottom of Headington Hill
on February 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Plastows brand new Volvo/Jonckheere BX62BJY at
Wheatley depot on February 25th by Richard Sharman
Plastows 2012 deliveries seen at Wheatley
Pulhams Coaches
http://www.pulhamscoaches.com/#/timetables/4539355309
Pulhams Optare Solo SR DP12BUS works route 811
at Chippy on January 5th by Chris Maxfield
Pulhams Volvo/Plaxton M409BFG seen on route 853
in Oxford on January 5th by Chris Maxfield
The 853 is a very popular service
allowing travellers direct entry to many areas of the Cotswolds.
From Glenn de Sousa
Six Lothian Buses’ Dennis Trident/Plaxton
president’s are due for Reading Buses to replace the Optare Spectra's
(708-713) on The Green Bus school work. The brand new Scania/Alexander
Dennis Enviro 300NG’s (gas buses) will be 401-420. Of these, 401-409 are
confirmed for work on the Reading FastTrack routes.
The Trident/Plaxton President’s that are expected
here from Lothian Buses are to retain their Lothian fleet numbers. They will
be 551/3/7-9/69 (W551/3/7-9/69 RSG).
Red Eagle
Glenn de Sousa
writes
"The HCC Contracts for
routes H13 and H19 will pass from Arriva the Shires to Red Eagle on the 2nd
of April.
Red Line
From Glenn de Sousa
Optare Solo SR YJ12 NRX is with Redline Buses, Aylesbury in the Optare demonstrator livery. It is probably a loan from Optare (it may be for support on the S4/S5 St Albans daytime routes which start in early April. I saw it running out of service in Slough on the A4.
Red Line T375JJC is seen in Wycombe on a 321
working by Malcolm Crowe on February 20th
Red Line Trident Y112LGC is seen on the same route but later on March 5th by
Malcolm Crowe
Red Rose
Glenn de Sousa writes "Dart W408UGM has been converted to single door joining sister bus W407UGM in this configuration.
Also it is only the
Sunday 353 service that will pass from Arriva to Red Rose on the 24th March.
From Daniel Morris
Having found myself in the employment of Red Rose these days, I hope to provide some interesting news and pictures.
V904KAG has an interesting quirk to it, the
centre door has ramp that requires manual deployment.
X523UAT, this picture as far should be the first
in Red Rose livery, again also maintaining its centre door where other
examples have been converted.
Both pictures were taken at Ley Hill, the Crown
PH bus stop, in Ley Hill ( http://goo.gl/maps/rV8Pg
)
Both these pictures are for OCBP's exclusive use
to do with as seen fit.
the last picture shows a (from what I've been
told) a 1970's bus stop, located on Chartridge Lane (
http://goo.gl/maps/aJHLP ),
between Chartridge Village and the Lee.
Oxfordshire
Repaints of the Scania deckers are taking place
with 15437 the latest to be done.
M A N 22941 in reserve has returned to service.
The three Darts from Cambridge, 33462-4 are to be
returned to their home and are being replaced by two Solos including 47394.
Solos 47433/4 (V395KWY and VX51ABF) have replaced
47549/51 (VX07LXZ and LYC) which have returned to Gloucester.
Dart
33464 on the February 13th on the X9 after Snowfall recorded by Richard
Sharman
Former Cambridge Solo 47658 rest's at Witney Depot after working its first
Duty with Oxfordshire. It still retains it Drummer Street, Cambridge Permit
sticker in the N/S Cab Window.
| fleet movements last period | ||
| 47394 | AE56 LUL | Optare Solo - Cambridge to Witney |
| 47395 | AE56 LUO | Optare Solo - Cambridge to Witney |
| 47658 | AJ58 RBF | Optare Solo - Cambridge to Witney |
| 33970 | X978 AFH | Dennis Dart SLF - Witney to Swindon |
| 33947 | V947 DFH | Dennis Dart SLF - Witney to Swindon |
| 47037 | KX03 KZB | Optare Solo - Witney to Northampton |
Currently Banbury has three Enviro 300s 22768/9/70 which has not been reported on these pages so far. The others, 22761-7/71 are still at Oxford.
Witney's allocation of Solos is now as under.
| 47237 |
| 47238 |
| 47239 |
| 47394 |
| 47395 |
| 47433 |
| 47434 |
| 47449 |
| 47450 |
| 47451 |
| 47452 |
| 47453 |
| 47454 |
| 47455 |
| 47658 |
As always there is much of interest in the SC Oxford fleet.
Stagecoach Oxford in pictures
Unusual working - 36769 on route 12 in St Aldates on February 21st by
Richard Sharman
Scania E400 15438 works route 3 on High St on its way to the rail station on
February 23rd by Malcolm M Crowe
Scania Gold 15758 most unusually works route 1 by Queens Lane on March 1st
by Malcolm M Crowe
E300 22761 seen on route X30 in Park End St. on February 23rd by Malcolm M
Crowe
Stagecoach In Oxfordshire Dart 34471 seen on route 488 at Chippy on January
5th by Chris Maxfield
East's Volvo 52485 back on the X5 at Gloucester
Green and heading for Cambridge on February 6th by Gavin Francis
From Glenn de Sousa
Stagecoach in the South Downs have 7
Alexander-Dennis Enviro 300s, seating DP44F, in service on Stagecoach
Gold route 51 Chichester-Selsey. Here are their registrations:
27838, GX13 Named Nicolaus Copernicus.
27839, GX13 Named Galileo Galilei.
27840, GX13 Named Sir Issac Newton.
27841, GX13 Named Edmund Halley.
27842, GX13 Named Edwin Hubble.
27843, GX13 Named Sir Patrick Moore.
27844, GX13
Midlands
Latest allocation changes have been 16223 reserve to de-licensed: 16514 reserve to Northampton: 16555 Stratford to disposal: 16786 reserve to de-licensed: 33397 disposal to Leamington: 33453 Rugby to de-licensed: 34118 Leamington to disposal: 34133 reserve to Rugby: 52567 reserve to Megabus: 53017 Megabus to disposal:
Astromega 50201 continues in service without any
rear branding.
Astromega 50207 pauses on New Rd, to allow oncoming traffic, on its
way to London on February 14th by Malcolm Crowe
Astromega 50215 is seen on Park Lane at stop 14A as it heads for Oxford on
February 26th by Gavin Francis
From Paul Dudfield
The Megabus Interdeckers are regulars on the daytime London-Plymouth round trip. Stagecoach Devon provide drivers so 54210 (SF62 CZN) was in Exeter on 4/1/13 for familiarisation.
SC Devon provide drivers so 54210 SF62CZN was in Exeter for familiarisation
on 040113 P Dudfield
West Scotland: With the new Interdecks now in service, Volvo B12Bs 54009, 54012 to 54020 have been stood down, awaiting return to their lessor.
Megabus in pictures
SC Megabus 54201 showing off its special branding near VCS on February 10th
by Malcolm Crowe
SC Megabus 54201 showing off it's interior lighting variety as seen by
Malcolm Crowe
This is unique to this coach.
SC Megabus Volvo 53029 leaves VCs on the M14 bound for Cheltenham on March
4th by Malcolm Crowe
Opportunity for comparison - SC Megabus Astromegas 50244 and 50237 fuelling
at Sammy's on March 4th by Malcolm Crowe
50244 is of course the later TX27 version of the Astromega.
Repainted into full Megabus livery but awaiting branding, Freestones Volvo
KX07HDJ leaves on the M16 to Norwich from VCS
on March 4th seen by Malcolm Crowe
An Astromega loading for the 1500 service to Newcastle, always a very
popular service on February 9th by Malcolm Crowe
Very impressive branding on Interdecker 54206
around VCS on February 6th by Gavin Francis
54206 seen en route on the M20 by Mark Wakefield.
Citaros 849-862 have all moved to Thames Travel
with only 861 and 862 remaining to be repainted.
This bus lacks any branding except for the super rear ad remaining from its days with Oxford Bus
Ex Carousel M A N s 419 and 420 are in service in red with Thames Travel
fleet names.
Carousel Optare 804 has now returned to its owner after loan to Thames Travel.
From Glenn de Sousa
The two MAN/MCV’s transferred from Carousel have both entered service, they are 418/9 (AE59 AWH/J).
By February, plain white ancillary van OV54 GWJ was
withdrawn for scrap.
From Steve Gee
Yesterday, 4th March, noted on the Coventry Eastern By- Pass (A46) at about
10:45 was Go Ahead Thames Transit 853, RF56 OXF, heading towards the M6, and
I would guess, Evobus.
Solo 706 waits time on the 101 in St Aldates on
February 23rd by Malcolm M Crowe
Citaro 858 in St Aldates, Oxford on January 19th
by Chris Maxfield
Citaro 860 works the X32 from St Aldates
Carousel 480 P480 MLE currently on loan to
Thames Travel works the 106C
From Glenn de Sousa
Uno bus have acquired ex-Connex Jersey Alexander Dennis Enviro 200’s J28941,34198,35157,39797 through Ensign, Purfleet.
Three of the old P reg Dart SLF/Wright Crusader’s have been sold, P664 to DW Coaches.
The company has an excellent web site which can be viewed at the link below.
The 2012 fleet list can be downloaded at this link:
http://www.weavaway.co.uk/pdf/2012-fleetlist.pdf
Neoplan N122/3 W60 OOW (ex NE06 LAN, SF56 TXL, LSK 815) is now registered SF56 TXL and has passed to Collier, Erith, along with W70 OOW (ex NE07 LAN, SF07 FJP, LSK 807).
Neoplan N122/3 which too has been re-registered to OU07 MVM. Irisbus 391.12.35 / Plaxton YN10 ACU, YN10 ACV, YN10 ADU have all been re-registered to W50 OOW, W60 OOW and W70 OOW respectively.
From Glenn de Sousa
Two new Optare Versa’s are due for the Newbury and District business in March 2013. They will be based at the Greenham depot for local work.
A coach has arrived, FJ57 CCY, to take up duties as the Oxford United team coach. It has been re-registered YUE 338 - a registration previously held by the Tappins (Oxford United team) coach.
The Tappins ex-YUE 338 has been withdrawn for scrap.
Arriva launches Sapphire upgrade
Arriva UK Bus is launching a new premium service, Sapphire, aimed at
reinvigorating bus usage on key routes in four locations across the UK.
Arriva has invested more than £3million as it looks to the premium service
to grow passenger numbers on core routes. Sapphire has been designed to
primarily attract non-users but also increase the number of journeys taken
by infrequent and semi-frequent users.
The new concept was developed following extensive customer research
including surveys, site visits and focus groups. The research
highlighted a number of core customer requirements and the opportunity to
improve perceptions of the bus, change the behaviour of non-users and
encourage existing users to make more journeys.
Arriva has used this insight to create the new Sapphire service, which aims
to fulfil the following core requirements:
-
A punctual, reliable, frequent and direct service
-
Well-presented, customer focused drivers with additional service
delivery training
-
An enhanced feeling of personal safety, space and comfort
-
A customer charter with a no-quibble money back guarantee.
The Sapphire launches will see 41 vehicles across four routes, a mixture of
new and refurbished, create a service focused on enhancing the customer
experience, through features such as leather seating and free WiFi.
Mark Yexley, Operations and Commercial Director for Arriva UK Bus,
commented:
“We felt the time was right to introduce the Sapphire brand. It will
certainly offer our customers something different and we hope will tempt
more people to try the bus as a result.
“We’ve deliberately selected key routes on our network that offer a
potentially longer journey time, so that customers have more time to take
advantage of the free WiFi, or to simply enjoy sitting on comfy leather
seats!
“The investment is significant at a time when there are plenty of economic
challenges out there, although we firmly believe in continuing to try and
improve our service offering whenever and wherever we can.”
The first Sapphire service to launch will be in the North West in April
(Chester to Wrexham), followed by launches in three additional regions;
Midlands (Oadby to Leicester), Shires & Essex (Aylesbury to Oxford), and the
North East (Darlington to Durham).
Phil Cummins, Engineering Director for Arriva North West and Wales, was
instrumental in arranging the prototype design and layout for the new and
refurbished vehicles. He commented:
“We’re really happy with the final outcome. The refurbished buses have
given already good vehicles a new lease of life and the quality of the
materials is excellent.”
The key features of Sapphire include:
-
A revised livery to signal the change to the customer. The livery has
been designed to ensure it replicates the Sapphire proposition
-
High back e-leather seats with thicker seat bases to offer comfort and
additional space
-
Free Wi-Fi and power points to add value, create the feeling of
modernity and meet customer demand
-
In addition, some vehicles will have audio visual announcements via
digital display screens
-
Dedicated drivers with customer care training
-
CCTV for added security
-
Customer charter – Arriva’s commitment to its customers:
-
Reliability
-
Punctual
-
Frequent service (at least every 15 minutes)
-
Easy to understand (direct routes)
-
Extra standards of cleanliness
-
Money back guarantee
Mark Yexley added:
“We certainly hope the upgraded routes will be a success and we’ll be
working with our customers to gauge their feedback throughout the opening
weeks and months.”
The first Sapphire buses will be delivered in April 2013 in the North West.
They will then be rolled out to three other routes, ensuring that there is a
Sapphire route in each of Arriva UK Bus’ regional businesses.
Routes and vehicles:
-
Route 1 Wrexham to Chester (Spring 2013):
9 refurbished Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 double deckers -
Route 31/31A Oadby to Leicester (Summer
2013):
10 refurbished Wrightbus Gemini double deckers -
Route 280 Aylesbury to Oxford (Summer 2013):
11 refurbished Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 double deckers -
Route 7 Darlington to Durham (Autumn 2013):
11 new Wrightbus Pulsar SB200 single deckers
Each is an inter-urban route that offers a long enough journey time for
customers to appreciate the added benefits Sapphire offers.
Take a tour (pictures of the Sapphire vehicles):
Stagecoach and the OFT
After examining all the details available, the Office of Fair Trading has decided not to refer Stagecoach’s acquisition of Bluebird of Middleton to the Competition Commission and so the deal is expected to go through in early March. The OFT has also decided not to refer the Stagecoach acquisition of the First Group operation at Wigan to the Competition Commission.
Stagecoach rejects Twin America allegations
Stagecoach (SGC.L)
on Wednesday rejected allegations that its U.S. bus joint venture Twin
America was anti-competitive after the United States government started
legal proceedings against the
business.
The British transport group said the U.S.
Department of Justice (DoJ) and New York's Attorney General had initiated
legal proceedings against Twin America, a joint venture between Stagecoach
North America and City Sights, set up in 2009.
Stagecoach said the U.S. bodies were seeking
dissolution of the joint venture or they could force the company to sell
certain assets. However, Stagecoach said it would "robustly" defend its
position.
"Since the joint venture was formed in 2009, the
sightseeing bus industry has become even more competitive as new sightseeing
bus operators have commenced
business
in New York and other companies have announced firm plans to do so shortly,"
said Stagecoach.
"Stagecoach North America, City Sights and Twin
America disagree with the position of the DoJ and the New York attorney
general and believe their action is unnecessary."
First Group announces £76m bus order
FirstGroup
has ordered 464 new vehicles worth £76m for delivery in the 2013/14
financial year.
All buses will have leather seats and be fitted with Wi-Fi
This order will
bring First’s investment in new buses to around £240m in three years.
The bulk of the
order will be built by Alexander Dennis (222 vehicles) and Wrightbus (179
vehicles). Volvo Group UK will manage its 37 bus contract for its 7900
single-decker hybrids from its headquarters in Warwick, while Optare will
supply 18 Versa's.
A further eight
vehicles will be ordered, but as yet no decision has been taken as to the
manufacturer.
Parry’s to close at year end
Multi-award-winning Parry’s International is to close its doors at the end
of the year, with founder and owner Dave Parry retiring.
Based in Cheslyn Hay, West Midlands, the business
remains profitable.
The vehicles, premises and equipment are all owned
outright, and will be sold individually after trading ceases when the last
tour, a New Year 2014 holiday, returns.
Managing Director Dave Parry says he wants finish
his business - which celebrates 40 years in November - on a high.
It is widely renowned for setting and delivering
exceptionally high standards.
While Dave Parry argues that making good profits in
coach tour operation - Parry’s sole business - is getting harder, the
business is in good financial shape.
Despite the planned closure, Dave Parry expects
2014 to be one of its best years, and says standards will not slip.
His latest new coach - a Starliner - is currently
in build and will be unveiled at the UK Coach Rally in April.
Trips & Events
Events
Showbus 2013
The exciting news of SHOWBUS' new venue for 2013 is
already out there. We are taking Britain's biggest bus display to
Stratford-upon-Avon in the Midlands, neatly timing the move to commemorate
150 years of Metro-Cammell. We are celebrating other Midland
anniversaries including 90 years since BMMO built their first bus, 80 years
since the first Guy Arab appeared, 60 since the Guy London GS and 35 of the
MCW Metrobus. With some of the first Darts bodied by Carlyle in Birmingham
we celebrate a quarter of a century of the Dennis Dart.
The new venue is not permanent and we will be back
at Duxford in 2014 for the Diamond Jubilee of the Routemaster. However
the new venue offers new opportunities besides the obvious chance for those
from further afield to visit Showbus. The general public entry will be
much cheaper and we will have the opportunity for rides around the site on a
variety of selected entrants.
For those who are coach operators and those whose
partners are not overly interested in buses there are the nearby attractions
of Stratford, Warwick Castle and the Cotswolds. An ideal opportunity
to combine an excursion to Stratford or Warwick with a layover at SHOWBUS.
There will be a free half hourly bus service
between the venue at Long Marston and Stratford-upon-Avon. We also
hope to offer a bookable Cotswold Tour.
We look forward to you joining us at our new venue
and hopefully a chance to meet new friends from further afield.
Details are on our website already and will be
expanded as we get nearer to the event:
http://www.showbus.com/subind1.htm
As the better weather approaches I thought contributions such as this from john Marsh might inspire readers to venture further afield.
From John Marsh
I spent Wednesday this week in a freezing cold snowy Nottingham so thought you might like some of the pictures.
Nottingham City Transport 358 - YJ12GYS 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham City Transport 360 YJ12GYU 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham City Transport 501 - FH51LTX plus tram
201 130213 J Marsh
Nottingham City Transport 687 - YN05WFS 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham City Transport 743 YN04UJP 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham City Transport 904 YT11 LTN 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham City Transport 923 YT61FFK 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham City Transport 984 YT10UWN 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham City Transport505 FD02SDZ 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham Richard Whitehead YK08EPF 130213 J
Marsh
Nottingham Trams 211 and 212 130213 J Marsh
Nottingham Trent Barton 130 M130PRA Trainer305
130213 J Marsh
Nottingham Trent Barton 305 130213 J Marsh
Nottingham Trent Barton 724 130213 J Marsh
Nottingham Trent Barton Mango 438 FP51GXX 130213
J Marsh
Unilink - Premiere Travel Nottingham YN07LDZ ex
NCT 130213 J Marsh
Richard Morgan
provided some more pictures taken at Winchester on New Year's Day.
Winchester 2013 Megabus 53028 010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 AV KCG627L 010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 Crosville TA5 JFM575 010113 R
Morgan
Winchester 2013 D113GHY 010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 early Lodekkas SDL268 and 5677EL
010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 Eastbourne AHC442 010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 Guernsey 77 010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 LC EPD543V 010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 Portsmouth TTP992 010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 Ribble 1821 010113 R Morgan
Winchester 2013 RML2679 plus the old un 010113 R
Morgan
Winchester 2013 Silver Star 1013MW 010113 R
Morgan
Winchester 2013 King Alfred WGC104 010113 R
Morgan
And the pièce de résistance of this year's event was the Olympian.
Winchester 2013 King Alfred JAA708 010113 R
Morgan
Chris Maxfield has been busy with a visit to Chester and The Wirral to record events leading to the take-over of Frist in the area by Stagecoach.
The pictures show before and after and also include some of the other operators in the area.
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire Rock
Ferry Depot Sign 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire Rock
Ferry Depot with the old and the new. 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire
Chester Depot Sign 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire 21262
plus 36807 Chester depot130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire 29888
at Chester depot 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire 21264
and 21275 Park & ride 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire
Chester depot 33411 - 21254 - 21261 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire 34597
34602 at Chester depot 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire 34597
r 5 Chester 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire 36807
in Chester bus station - 130113 C Maxfield
Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire 28530
& various buses taken over from First - 130113 C Maxfield
And now Arriva and other operators in and around Chester.
Blast from the past ! - Crosville 319PFM r C1 Chester 130113 C Maxfield
Chester Arriva Buses Wales-Cymru 999 CX18EVH r
X44 120113 C Maxfield
Chester Arriva Buses Wales-Cymru 2358 V588DJC r 3
120113 C Maxfield
Chester Arriva Buses Wales-Cymru 3141 CX12DSV r 1
120113 C Maxfield
Chester Arriva Buses Wales-Cymru 22630 r 105
130113 C Maxfield
Chester Arriva Buses Wales-Cymru r 1 S248JUA r 1
120113 C Maxfield
Chester Arriva North West - 4489 MX61AUN r 84
130113 C Maxfield
This is a low bridge Wrights Gemini.
Chester Arrowebrook MX07NTT r 51 130113 C
Maxfield
Chester Aintree Coachline 861 L1SLT -X52CHJ _
00-D-70025 and 862 L2SLT X979CNO _ 00-D-70027 Rail Link 120113 C Maxfield
Chester GHA Coaches SL12 r DB6 130113 C Maxfield
Chester GHA Coaches VX51RBO r 82 120113 C
Maxfield
Chester Selwyns FJ56PAO 381 · Chester to
Newcastle upon Tyne 130113 C Maxfield
And finally a selection of First buses the day before take-over
Chester First 34058 120113 C Maxfield
Chester First 34260 r 5 120113 C Maxfield
Chester First 69314 120113 C Maxfield
Chester First 69489 Park and Ride 120113 C
Maxfield
Chester First D158FYM depot 120113 C Maxfield
Chester First now SC 29880 depot 120113 C
Maxfield - one of the first if not the first to receive
Stagecoach fleet names
S&J 67 will contain a number of pictures taken by Chris on a visit to Manchester & Wigan.
Edgar Tuburcio recently visited Hawaii and sent some nice pictures.
Taken on February 3rd 2013 by Edgar Tuburcio.
History
Yesterday I was reading your webpage and it
reminded me that the last time I saw you (at the Newbury rally last July) I
mentioned that I was hoping to buy a Bristol RELH someday. Well I did! In
October I bought ex- Red & White coach reg. OAX 9F.
I've called her Ruby and she now resides in Oxfordshire and has her own
website:
http://www.redandwhitebus.co.uk/
Hopefully, Ruby and I will see you at a rally this
year.
Jonathan Radley
Stagecoach Enviro 39699 seen on its regular journey in Duston in Northampton
First
Dart 42910 climbs out of Radstock en route to Bath
Arriva North East 4662 climbs out of Sandsend in July 2012 - check the old
fashioned windbreaks out
Stagecoach Gold 15768 near Faringdon in May 2012
This really is a nice picture Ed.
Arriva Shires YK57EKG at Stokenchurch in May 2012
A busy day on The High Oxford 230213 M Crowe
Ebdons E13DDN Volvo B12M - Plaxton Paragon new to
First Cymru 20538 at Stansted - 230213 G Francis
EBDONS M409TWF at a Brighton rally G Francis
New buses for the 52 - Metroline VWH1409 -
LK62DWD r 52 near HPC LON 260213 G Francis
Richardson Travel - SN62APY Park Lane LON 260213 G Francis
Bliss Travel YX08HWF ex easyBus 040313 M Crowe
Harrods RML2621 as been repainted 090213 M Crowe
Links & Publications
Mike Penn's interesting web site for pictures
You might be interested to know that I have now uploaded 268 photos taken in
Beds, Bucks and Herts in the year 2000 to my website -
http://166emj.piwigo.com/index?/category/50-beds_bucks_and_herts_photographs_2000
One of the
major events of the year was the purchase by Arriva the Shires of the City
of Oxford operation in High Wycombe on December 13th. Two days later, as can
be seen from the photographs, vehicles had received Arriva The Shires fleet
names and legal lettering but retained their Oxford fleet numbers.
The other
major event was the enforced sale of the Lutonian operation by Arriva the
Shires.
Both Arriva
The Shires and Arriva East Herts & Essex continued to repaint vehicles into
Arriva livery though there were still many in previous liveries.
Elsewhere in
the region M K Metro continued their policy of purchasing various
interesting secondhand vehicles. Some of these came from Border Buses – the
company in Lancashire that M K Metro had bought.
Buffalo
Travel continued to run but Seamarks were taken over by Dunn-Line early in
the year.
Many other
independents are also represented.
Mike Penn
Todays buses - Oxfordshire
This review covers the
September 2010 video by Robin Clare
Transport. The issue costs £10 and is well worth this small cost for
over one hour of buses and coaches in our area.
THE FINAL
VOLUME IS
SO
RETAIL
PRICE £25
ORDER NOW
FOR £20+ £3
p&p
This final installment of the
4-volume 800-page history of the Thames Valley Traction Co. Ltd. brings the
story to its conclusion on the last day of 1971.
All route developments and changes
to the fleet are fully detailed, along with special appendices for the
service vehicle fleet, garages and out-stations, a route map, garage
allocations and working arrangements.
Profusely illustrated with 548
monochrome half-tone illustrations and a full-colour section of 45 photos,
this provides a very comprehensive history of this interesting decade,
including the numerous secondhand vehicles acquired during those years.
Demand will be high, so
order now from: Paul Lacey, 17
Sparrow Close
Woosehill, Wokingham, Berkshire,
RG41 3HT
If you are local and wish to
collect please call me on 0118 979 4097
A Guy Arab on the Oxford service and seen at Gloucester Green.
One of the constituent companies was Denham's.
Apart from the archaic Leylands, the company ran some AEC Regals after the
war.
These were rebodied with ECOC/ECW bodies purchased from North Western Road
Car, Stockport via dealers.
They had been new in 1936 on Bristol Jo5G chassis which were rebodied with
Brush bodies in 1946 to a similar design.
Your Editor must have travelled on one of these buses, when in NWRCC
service, as a small boy.
They would have doubtless run on service to Highclere, now well known as the
house is featured in Downton Abbey.
17 Sparrow Close
Woosehill
Wokingham
Berkshire RG41 3HT.