Spottings & Jottings nr. 85
May
15th
2015
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Current archives from October 2002
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Editorial
Somewhat later than usual this issue contains much of interest. Many of you may have been able to visit The London Bus Museum's annual Brooklands event where this year there was plenty of interest for everyone.
Bus service cuts from May 31st
You can read all about this at the following link:
Other news
Of interest for our area was the latest offering
from Wrights in the Streetdeck. 11 Streetdecks for OBC are due towards the
end of June this year. Liveries still being firmed up. the Streetdecks will
be the shorter variety (Brighton's are stretched).
The new Brighton Streetdeck seen at Brooklands on 19th May 2015.
Pictures by Gavin Francis and Adam Green
50223 makes ready for departure to
Plymouth on April 5th seen by Gavin Francis.
See under Megabus for pictures of 50224 now in full Megabus livery.
Road works in Oxford
Recent road works in Oxford have caused significant delays to services and changes to road priorities have added to the problems.
London Road, Headington has now been completely rebuilt and of course resurfaced. This work took many weeks and was a major source of delay. Now that the road is fully opened those delays are minimal.
Work continues around Norfolk Street which now has two way working but the surface if quite poor.
How things were on April 26th with alternate working in Norfolk Street.
Picture by Gavin Francis.
How the Square will look in the future.
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/frideswide-square-and-oxford-station-0
However another problem, not helped by the remodelling of Frideswide Square, has thrown up serious traffic congestion. That is in Worcester Street where traffic can now go from Beaumont Street into Worcester St often causing tailbacks to get out of and into George Street and Gloucester Green Bus Station. Indeed a week ago it was taking departing coach services from Gloucester Green more than 45 minutes to get as far as New road on their towards the east of the city !!!!!!!
The pictures above show the congestion at 1400hrs on a Wednesday, one can
realise how bad this gets in the peak hours.
And, joy of joys, Hythe Bridge Street is due to close for several
weeks very shortly.
The phasing of the lights at each end is poor and we could see a
total deadlock in the coming weeks!!
You may wonder how this is linked to Frideswide? Well, before, all traffic from Beaumont Street had to go down Hythe Bridge St. Now it can access Park End St. via Worcester St. which is adding significantly to the congestion. This is, of course, not helped by the exit from Worcester Street car park and the fact that phasing of the traffic lights does not allow sufficient time to clear the traffic in Worcester Street.
All in all difficult times added to by the closure of the A420 which adds to traffic on the Botley Road and the city centre.
Of course when its all finished it should be much improved but wow!! talk about "pain for gain" its not helping public transport in Oxford.
As a final comment, it has often been suggested that coaches should not come into Oxford at all but terminate or pass through the Park & Rides. Great, but what about those with heavy baggage. I wonder what a survey taken from passengers using the several city stops say about lugging their bags onto feeder connections to the Park & Ride, the delays and waiting and with respect Thornhill just could not cope with this idea, anymore than other Park & Rides. Equally what about the commuters, I am sure they would be delighted.
Maybe cars should be more restricted coming into the city, especially as we learn that cars are causing pollution and our buses and coaches now have to be Euro 5 or Euro 6 compliant to access the city to minimise even more the pollution problem. The local bus companies are spending a great deal of money on new vehicles to met the city's restrictions.
Publications
http://www.stevenknightmedia.com/publications-and-collectables.html
http://www.stevenknightmedia.com/publication-updates.html
These are really excellent
publications and are old fashioned in that they fit in the pocket and
are reasonably priced.
Check the link and website above.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 £3 per head is made.
Next meeting:
19th May – Hong Kong buses - by Simon Ayres
Meeting
commences at 19:15.
Meetings are held at:
The Tree Hotel,
63 Church Way,
Iffley Village, Oxford OX4 4EY
The venue offers a wide range of excellent food
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 -
May 15th 2015
Spottings
Observations and pictures
Recent happenings in Scotland by Gordon Scott.
Shots attached taken on an Omnibus Society Scottish Branch tour of Fife
covering Stagecoach depots.
Stagecoach Rennies depot
Trident Alexander 17537 LY02 OAC stripped for parts ex London.
Trident Alexander Enviro 400 19543 SP59 APY in Rennies livery.
Volvo B10M Plaxton Interurban 52355 BHZ 9545 driver trainer ex P255 ASA.
Stagecoach Glenrothes depot.
Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 16952 MX07 BVC ex First Group.
Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther 54027 SF07 AMV ex Citylink livery now repainted.
And
new to Stagecoach Newcastle ex Stagecoach Fife Volvo Olympian
Alexander RL 16726 N726 LTN now mobile exhibition unit for Edinburgh Zoo.
Taken in Edinburgh Zoo car park 13/04/15.
Edinburgh Zoo overall advert buses.
Lothian Buses had ten buses of this batch when new painted in five Zoo
advert on them, they have again won the contract for ten buses two of each
to be painted in this advert again.
Volvo B9 Wright Gemini's on route 26 which serves Edinburgh Zoo.
302 SN09CTO Zoo advert Glide to the Antarctic.
304 SN09CTV Zoo advert Hop to the Amazon.
305 SN09CTX Zoo advert Trek to China.
307 SN07 CTZ Cha Cha to Chile Zoo livery taken at Clerwood, Edinburgh.
309 SN09 CUC Swing into Africa livery taken at Edinburgh Zoo.
Lothian's last two Zoo branded Buses are in service now ten buses 301 to
310
21/4/15 - Alexander Dennis factory this morning at Falkirk.
Managed to catch a shot of this Volvo B5TL Enviro 400 MMC for Stagecoach, I
was told on flicker it is 13043 HY14BUS for Dundee. Note extra length.
Shots attached taken last Friday a dual door Volvo B5LH Enviro MMC still to
be
A dual door Volvo B5LH Enviro MMC still to be
Gordon writes further (17/4/15) "When I was driving through on the M8 one of the Stagecoach, Glasgow Van Hool Gold sleeper coaches was on the 900 Glasgow to Edinburgh service."
Gavin Francis sent many pictures as usual:
Metroline TEH915 on route 139 with a wrap for
London Hybrid buses seen on may 1st by Gavin Francis.
MARCHANTS Neoplan BIG2704 at Stokenchurch on
April 19th by Gavin Francis.
Arriva LT345 on route 137 with wrap for Magnum on May 1st by Gavin Francis
A new London tour operator,
City Tour London Y149NLK on April 17th by Gavin Francis.
David Beynon writes
"I have attached some recent pictures for your perusal, The Streetdeck
demonstrator
Wright Streetdeck Demonstrator with Bluestar Southampton on April 20th by
David Benyon.
incess YR13 POF working shuttles for
Anthem of the Seas cruise ship at Southampton
Anthem of the Seas
Various vehicles on Rail Replacement service at Oxford Station
and TGM
Trevor Wilson writes
"Following on re the lots of E400 for Arriva North West, I found this very
good right up on dartslf forum -
http://dartslf.com/news_enviro400gl.html
About three pages long, with photos, and gives more detail and info.
Whilst the article relates to the E400s for route 10B from Green Lane
garage, it also mentions the others for St Helens and Bootle depots and at
the very end mentions the E400s supplied last year."
I see there is interest and comment on nearly new VDL SB200 Wrightbus
Pulsars from Arriva North West being cascaded to Arriva the Shires.
Apologies in advance if the info I provide below is already known to you.
I also follow a Merseyside based forum from which
the following is available:
Arriva North West 2014-2015 orders -
http://dartslf.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=900&page=2
- http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/arrivas-2015-orders/
"The first wave of investment will see 62 ADL Enviro400s go into service
across the north west. Each will be fitted to Arriva’s standard spec with
e-Leather seating, CCTV and free Wi-Fi. They are intended to reinforce
capacity on key city routes, whilst also freeing up the one and two year old
single deckers for refurbishment and redeployment elsewhere in its Midlands,
south east and north east operations."
And
"62 Alexander Dennis Enviro400s (Euro V variant)
4584-4594 for Green Lane depot (route 10B) (11)
4595-4620 for St Helens depot (routes 10/10A) (26)
4621-4636 for Bootle depot (routes 52/52A) (16)
4637-4645 for Chester depot (route 10 - Sapphire) (9)"
And then another 47 x E400 later this year
4646-4680 for Green Lane depot (routes 12/13 and 15) (35)
4681-4692 for Speke depot (route 75) (12)
Arriva North West is receiving a large number of new double deckers to
reduce over crowding on certain route corridors - route 10 is Liverpool City
Centre to St Helens and route 52 is Liverpool City Centre to Netherton.
Chester route 10 is Chester to Connahs Quay and Holywell.
So there are 52 nearly new VDL SB200 being cascaded to other Arriva areas
which has been suggested as being a condition of receipt of the new E400s.
For info other routes recently (last year) in
receipt of new double deckers are:
375/385 Southport to Wigan - 9 x E400
12 Rhyl to Llandudno - 20 x E400 Sapphire."
However, similar bus 3444 (R204 VPU) is withdrawn,
and is in the death row at Cressex, next to Volvo 3864 (KE05 FMU), which is
looking more and more forlorn. I guess its accident damage is more severe
than it looks.
I'm concerned about Wycombe's batch of Volvo B7RLEs. Of the original seven,
3866 disappeared a few months ago to who knows where, 3864 is withdrawn at
Cressex looking forlorn. I noticed on 16th April that 3861/2/3/7 were all on
the vehicles off road list, leaving only 3865 still in service. (3865 was
the one that disappeared for almost a year a while ago with a structural
problem.) Does anyone know what the problem is?!
Arriva 3772 (MK12 MXB) has appeared in Wycombe,
one of the batch of 27 VDL SB200 – Wrightbus Pulsar B44F buses from Arriva
Merseyside. On 28th April it was on "The Blue One" route to Amersham.
Attached picture taken on 29th April.
Citaros 3920 BK58 URN
and 3921 BK58 URO have been repainted and refurbished into Arriva MAX
specification and repainted accordingly, just like sister 3919 BK58 URM.
These three all carry route 300 branding. Currently Citaros 3922 BK58 URP
and 3923 BK58 URR are away for similar treatment.
Wright Renowns 3264 V264 HBH and 3265 V265 HBH are
now allocated to Aylesbury. Once these leave Aylesbury depot they are to
become training buses with other from the batch.
Dennis Dart 3293 V293 HBH has been repainted white
and refurbished with new high backed leather seats and is to be used on the
Whipsnade Zoo shuttle with an all over wrap.
Dennis Dart 3484 W484 YGS has been withdrawn.
Both 3769 and 3770 are supposed to be being used on the 300 while the MAXs refurbishments take place but they have been appearing on the 150, 280 and X60 in recent weeks."
3225 route 40 in Stokenchurch on 100415 by
Gavin Francis.
3296 on the 300 in Wycombe on 20th April by
Gavin Francis,
3310 route 32 in Wycombe on April 27th by Gavin Francis.
3587 on the 758 in Bulleid Way on April 16th by Gavin Francis.
Recently arrived 3770 on the 300 in Wycombe on April 27th by Gavin Francis.
Recently arrived 3772 on the 31 in Wycombe on April 30th by Gavin Francis.
Citaro 3920 on route 300 in MAX livery in Wycombe on April 27th by Gavin
Francis.
3861 and 3864 at Cressex depot graveyard on April 21st by Malcolm Crowe.
3890 at Cressex depot on April 21st by Malcolm Crowe.
Citaro 3908 on the 300 but with 150 branding leaves Wycombe Bus Station on
April 21st by Malcolm Crowe.
4072, seemingly a floating spare, works the 757 out of London on April 26th
by Malcolm Crowe.
5439, once on the 280 is now seen on the 320 at Hemel Hempstead by Mark
Turner.
320 is upgraded to Sapphire by Adam Green
April 18th sees Arriva launch new buses on the 320.
Nigel Peach writes
"On 16th April I noticed that Optare Tempos 801/2 have reverted to their
original registrations YJ06FXW and YJ56WUB (previously C1/2WYC). Unusually I
saw them and 803 in the Eden Bus Station all within a short period of time.
803 though still bears registration C3WYC. Presumably there are two imminent
arrivals which will bear these cherished plates.
This morning (18/4/15) I saw Thames Travel's 551 AJ58 PZS (Alexander Dennis Dart SLF / MCV Evolution), which has been transferred to Carousel and is now in shiny Carousel livery."
551 minus branding and fleet numbers on the 740 on April 20th by Gavin
Francis.
Dart 480, having had a partial repaint has lost its fleet names etc. April
20th by Gavin Francis.
I am told that two Wright Streetlites are due in June and will be the first new buses for this operator since Go-Ahead took over.
112, still bearing its original registration, seen in Wycombe on route 36 on
April 20th by Gavin Francis.
118, with KIG9118 registration on the 36 on April 20th by Gavin Francis.
119 with MIG 9118 in the bus station on April 30th by Gavin Francis.
Noted on April 21st
Thames Travel 552 - OU57FKB
has now arrived with Carousel in their livery but so far without
branding.
Charlton
Stephen Le Bras
The five new B37F DF Streetlites have all entered
service at Slough with First
Berkshire over the last 2 weeks. They are 47665-669 (SN15ACF/J/O/U/V). The
five buses replaced are the red Solos 53052/4-7 which are being
decommissioned. As a result, the new buses appear mostly on the 1B, 2 and 60
where their extra size is welcomed.
Some of the old Dennis Darts are also being stood down, with replacements hopefully due later this year.
and
Crusader Holidays
Luke Braham
Pictures by Luke Braham
http://http://www.nationalexpress.com/
Working a 737 service Oxford's 42 passes
through Wycombe BS on April 30th by Gavin Francis.
SGBC FJ08KMX new to Peter Goodward, Manchester
seen at Gloucester Green on the 302 on April 24th by Malcolm Crowe.
Stansted's SH197 shows off its super rear for
London Air Ambulance on April 4th by Malcolm Crowe.
Go-Ahead subsidiary Brighton & Hove, which has
become the first operator to take delivery of production Streetdeck integral
double-deckers from Wrightbus, has now put its initial examples into
service.
It has ordered 24 buses, at the 11.5m length, seating 81. Having received
the first vehicles last month, it has applied branding and they are now
trickling into service.
They carry a special green and blue livery for Coaster service 12 between
Brighton and Eastbourne.
The interior specification includes high-backed seats, free Wi-Fi, USB
charge points, real-time tracking and next stop announcements.
The Daimler-engined integral buses have the narrow top-deck windows, similar
to Wrightbus’ New Routemasters, and an angular look, replacing the former
Gemini ‘smiley’ front. As part of their introduction, Brighton & Hove
invited entries from the public into a competition to name the Streetdecks
on the route after local people.
On April 15th Airline coach 7 worked the 737.
On April 21st Park & Ride 302 was seen working an X13 service to the JR.
352 works on 3 road in Speedwell St on April
24th by Malcolm Crowe.
Citaro 827 works a 4B in Speedwell St on April
24th by Malcolm Crowe.
Interesting that the green livery from its Park & Ride days still show in
the wheel arches!!
Citaro 842 works a 4B in Speedwell St on April 24th by Malcolm Crowe.
97 seen at Marble Arch on April 9th by Gavin
Francis, note the additional branding on the front.
Citaro 843 on a 4B working in New Rd on April
23rd by Gavin Francis.
As at 14th May 844 and 845 were now in the new livery!
1583 at the train station
Redline
Luke Braham
Oxfordshire
Much coverage has been given to the orders for the group this year and we now await details of what new buses Oxford may expect?
Meanwhile life goes on much as usual. The E300s are looking very tidy but may not have much longer with Oxford as they may not be compliant with the emission regulations now in force.
Oxford helps Yorkshire
On loan to Stagecoach Yorkshire
Scania/Enviro 400 15438
It has emerged that both Stagecoach
West and Stagecoach
Oxfordshire have sent
different vehicles to Stagecoach
Yorkshire, for Supertram replacement work, from those that were
expected. Stagecoach
West has sent Trident
2/Enviro 400 19128 (not 19129) and Stagecoach
Oxfordshire has sent
Scania/Enviro 400 15438 (not 15435).
Oxfordshire Reserve
Fleet Dart SLF 33651 is reported to have moved from Banbury to Oxford.
15439 on the X30 in New Rd on April 23rd taken
by Gavin Francis.
Witney's 15610 on an S2 working departs of the
wrong stand due to congestion.
Seen at Gloucester Green on April 24th by
Malcolm Crowe.
15966, on last day of the SW1, climbs up the cutting towards Stokenchurch taken by Richard Sharman.
East
Still working out of Bedford, 53618 is seen on
an X5 working (with an incorrect destination display - it should read
Buckingham for Cambridge!)
leaves Gloucester Green on April 16th taken by Gavin Francis.
West
West's 15976 on the 66 leaves Oxford's
Gloucester Green on April 16th by Gavin Francis.
Gavin Francis caught up with two of the Skyliner coaches being used by a Band company. He was fortunate enough to get some shots of the interior looking very different to the days when it served the route between Oxford and London!
50120 at Beaconsfield services on May 19th by Gavin Francis.
50104 with interior shots.
These may be the two coaches mentioned some years ago as having been
converted in Poland?
More recent pictures of the current fleet.
50279 YJ14LFR in London on April 9th by Gavin Francis.
50266 on Speedwell St heads for London on April 24th by Malcolm Crowe.
On a misty morning at Caversfield, 50268 waits to work the 0720 S5 Express
to Oxford - taken by Malcolm Crowe on April 24th.
The five ex Oxford tube Astromegas, lately on the X25 in Scotland, which have moved to Cwmbran are in service and the first one to appear in full Megabus livery is 50224, caught by Gavin Francis on the May 11th in Victoria. It was thought that 50223 had already been repainted as well but this is not the case, this coach having been seen only last Sunday!!(17th May)
It is understood that the cherished registrations are to be returned to
Scotland in due course!
Since the appearance of Belgian registered Astromegas on Christmas reliefs no more have been noted in Victoria.
Note that two buses have been moved to Carousel, see above.
862 is still on loan, looking rather shabby.
This company has used various buses on the 797 service since inception, probably due to their repainting three Citaros.
This Citaro also appeared at Brooklands on May 19th - picture by Malcolm
Crowe on May 15th.
Gavin Francis took some pictures recently on one of his regular London visits.
Solo 412 on the 615 route on May 22nd by Gavin Francis.
Solo SR WS 53 also on the 615 route on May 22nd by Gavin Francis.
Trident TA273 on the 614 route on May 22nd by Gavin Francis.
Vale Transport
One of a variety of Vale buses which work the 48 from Stokenchurch to Great
Missenden on Sundays.
This Solo was one of buses once with Anglianbus!
ARRIVA’S INVESTMENT AND
INNOVATION DELIVERS ANOTHER YEAR OF GROWTH
Leading European passenger transport group Arriva today publishes a review
of its performance in the 12 months to 31 December 2014 and an update on its
prospects for the future.
·
Another year of strong growth across the UK and
mainland Europe reflecting recent acquisitions and contract wins
·
Actively embracing the digital world for our
customers
·
Continued focus on improving the customer
experience and quality of services provided
·
Ambitious environmental targets with an ongoing
emphasis to reduce fuel consumption and emissions
·
Opportunities to expand further within the UK
bus and rail market
David Martin, chief executive of Arriva said: “We
have continued to invest all of our operating cash flow in growing our
business over the past 12 months. That positive strategy is reflected in our
continued strong revenue and EBITDA growth.
“Our success in the UK and across mainland Europe perfectly positions us to
take advantage of transport markets as they advance and liberalise.
“That pace of change is increasing and we are determined to embrace pending
EU legislation, including the progress of the fourth railway package, which
has the potential to help us deliver further long-term growth and passenger
benefits.
“In the UK our bus investment programme is delivering a greener fleet, and
includes the introduction of 230 new hybrid buses alongside a growing fleet
of electric and gas buses.
“While in UK rail, this summer we will submit an innovative, compelling bid
for the Northern rail franchise – drawing upon our experience gained from
operating train services for customers across Europe.
“We have seen significant growth across mainland Europe through a variety of
contract wins – helping to strengthen our position in both the bus and rail
markets – especially in the Northern and Eastern European territories.
“Innovating for our customers is also a significant, ongoing focus. We were
pleased with the Department for Transport’s decision to allow CrossCountry
to permanently retail our industry-leading advance purchase ticketing
solution, while across the whole of Europe our approach to smart ticketing
and smartphone technology is making our services more appealing and
accessible.”
Customer service and operational performance
·
Continued outstanding levels of customer satisfaction across Europe
·
The autumn 2014 National Rail Passenger Survey showed Grand Central is the
UK’s highest-rated long distance train operator with 94% of passengers
satisfied.
·
Chiltern Railways was named the UK’s highest rated DfT franchised operator
with an overall satisfaction score of 91%.
·
The latest customer satisfaction survey in Denmark showed our rail services
achieved a rating of 7.8 out of 10.
·
In the Netherlands customers rated both our bus and rail services at 7.5 out
of 10.
Growth and investment in operations
·
Arriva UK Bus announced an investment programme worth in excess of
£45million to facilitate a major upgrade of its fleet including the roll-out
of more than 230 new carbon efficient vehicles – bringing the total
investment in the UK fleet to over £500million since 2008.
o
Electric buses now operating in the Netherlands and the UK
o
Gas buses in operation across six territories including Italy, Denmark, the
UK and the Czech Republic
·
Grand Central had its application for an extended 10-year contract agreed by
the Office of Rail Regulation. This will enable significant investment in
rolling stock and passenger facilities at stations.
·
Mainland European contract wins include:
o
A
dual £1.1billion contract in the East and West Brabant region of the
Netherlands
o
An £8.4million contract as people mobility partner for the 2015 Expo Milano
o
A
five-year contract to operate bus services in Serbia and a further 10-year
bus contract in Slovenia.
o
Continued operational progress in Central and Eastern Europe following the
2013 acquisition of Veolia Transport Central Europe. Further growth is
expected in 2015
o
Latest eight year contract in Budapest, operated on behalf of the Budapest
Transport Authority, began on 1 May 2015
Innovation and technology
·
Department for Transport approved CrossCountry to retail Advance Purchase
tickets on the day of travel on a permanent basis.
o
150,000 journeys have been made with CrossCountry using the tickets, helping
passengers to secure the best possible prices up to 10 minutes before
departure
·
Arriva’s fully integrated mobile app covering its UK Bus operations reached
over 500,000 downloads. The app will see new functionality during 2015.
·
Arriva will be part of a London-style smart ticketing initiative which will
be launched across England’s largest cities in 2015. The initiative sees all
major bus operators involved and represents a multi-million pound
investment.
·
Arriva London will operate Transport for London’s first fully electric bus
route from September - marking the first order of electric vehicles to be
solely funded by a London operator.
·
Arriva Denmark winning the rights to operate the world’s first electric city
car sharing scheme, working closely with international partners for the
launch in autumn this year. The scheme will be closely integrated with the
public transport network.
·
In Italy, our SADEM bus operation is part of a newly-introduced contactless
smartcard and real-time information scheme which is benefiting customers in
and around Turin.
People
·
The latest Deutsche Bahn Employee Survey saw Arriva increase levels of
employee satisfaction – up from 3.6 in 2012 to 3.7 in 2014. 88% of employees
understand their role in delivering excellent customer service, with 67%
being proud to work for Arriva.
·
The launch of Arriva’s DRIVE initiative – a
leadership programme for senior managers which is equipping our leaders for
the future. The programme runs in partnership with a variety of respected
business schools and links closely with development programmes within
Deutsche Bahn.
New Park & Ride to relieve congestion around the JR Hospital
A NEW park-and-ride site for hospital staff could
be created to cut congestion at the John Radcliffe site in Oxford, according
to the man in charge of the county’s transport.
In March, health watchdog Patient Voice warned
some patients were missing appointments because they could not get a parking
space and Oxford University
Hospitals NHS Trust admitted parking difficulties were contributing to the
problem.
Now Oxfordshire
County Council cabinet member for
transport David Nimmo Smith has said highways officers would talk to trust
managers about the possibility of a new park-and-ride being created to
relieve pressure on hospital parking.
Mr. Nimmo Smith said a possible location for the
new car park would be on land near the Marston exit of the Northern Bypass.
He added: “This is just an idea at the moment and
council officers will discuss it with the trust over the next few months.
“Clearly, for patients and visitors, there are not
enough spaces and some patients have missed their appointments. The site
could be used by hospital staff and visitors, and you could then reduce the
number of staff spaces at the JR, to create more spaces for visitors.”
Blackpool
They can be seen on
Trips &
Running Days
A trip to Glasgow by Gary Seamarks
Glasgow/Kilmarnock photos are below.
All pictures taken by Gary on April
21st.
First 33903 on the 747 to Glasgow Airport with
specific livery.
First 37167 on the X1 leaving the bus station in Glasgow.
First 38209 on the 75 in GLASGOW centre. I
didn't know these tri-axles were still in service Ed.
First in trouble at Glasgow bus station.
Parks LSK507 leaves GLASGOW for Strathallen.
15623 on route 11 to "Killy".
15816 on route X36.
15947 on route X44 to Irvine.
18002 on route r X78 to "Killy"
Astromega 50208 on the X76 to "Killy".
54044 on route X76 to "Killy"
West Scotland at Kilmarnock - 50206-16852-16854 & 47718.
SN59AWX G8960 of McGills on the 901 in Glasgow.
BU64MWP G3322 of McGills on the 901 in Glasgow.
The McGill's E400 was the one on loan at SC Oxford a few years back, one of
two I think. All others have registration in subject Box.
For Info the trains we used to Glasgow were 06.23 MK- arr 10.40, return
18.40 arr MK 22.40, fare was £25 up and £18 back booked about 4 weeks in
advance via Virgin Trains and included reserved seats.
London Bus Museum Brooklands 2015
Frazer Peddle
COMS 371 AEC
Oxford's 22 parked up
SNB 543 national
LT60 new London Bus from London General.
Optare Excel Safeguard of Guildford
Optare Solo SR Epsom buses
MD60 Scania MCW it was a very bouncy ride indeed
Spring Gathering at Brooklands on Sunday 19th April 2015
UNO 315-BF59NHX In Greenline 797 Livery
Ex Arriva the Shires 2132-N912ETM
JT8077 -1937 Bedford WTB with Duple coachwork with John Woodhams Vintage
Tours - Ryde - IOW.
BEA half decks MLL740 and MLL738. (I do remember travelling on one of these
from West London to Heathrow in the early '60s. Ed)
Classics - RT1 and RM1 side by side.
Experimental forerunner of the RF - UMP227.
Old Oxford bus body, probably dating from
1920's.
Leyland Titan prototype OHV747Y.
LT with Concord.
General view.
2nd Watford Bus Rally on Sunday 26th April 15 by Mark Turner
Watford Rally at The Junction.
RML2310
A few pictures from the superb running day here on April 19th (more like June !!)
I went on the leaf green Bristol VR ex Western National 1075 to Lands End and back via Sennen Cove. Later I visited Mousehole on Bristol LHS 1560, also ex Reading Buses 1011 now with First seen in Truro the next day.
WMPTE comes to Stokenchurch on April 19th by Richard Sharman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reviews of new books
I have received two books for review which I found well produced and most interesting.
The PSV Circle has a revised edition of Berkshire and Oxfordshire current fleets. There are some excellent colour pictures and almost every operator, large and small in the area is included. A most useful reference book.
You can purchase the book from : Sales Team, PSV Circle, Unit GK Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP. The cost is £9 inc post and packing.
The second book reviewed is a pocket sized booklet costing £5.95 which can be obtained from Presbus Publishing.
This is well produced book and in a way is retro repeating the successful format of Ian Allan spotters books in the 1950s. Very good price for a very nice book, giving all the information you could ask for on operations and buses in Stagecoach Midlands including six new Van Hool Altanos, yet to be delivered.
Please quote the OCBP when ordering.
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.