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malcolmhc@aol.com

The past few weeks have seen some momentous events which includes some significant developments within the Stagecoach empire. These include the launch of the Electric Hybrid buses in Oxford, the launch jointly with Park of Hamilton, a new Citylink Gold service in Scotland,  the provision of some 250 double deck buses for crowd movement at the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone and finally the arrival of the first of five new Plaxton elite coaches at Oxford for the National Express 737 service. Additionally all the new Oxford Scania/Enviro 400 deckers are now in service and there is news of several other news worthy events.

Read on!

The most recent event, not overshadowing the Electric Hybrid launch but adding even more to the "clean air" in Oxford is the first of the new Volvo B9R/Plaxton elites which arrived at Horspath depot on Thursday afternoon. This coach is expected to enter service early next week. It is also the first vehicle in our area to have "Alcolock" fitted which ensures that anyone driving the coach is free from alcohol or drugs. These coaches are very futuristic in their design and will add much to the city of Oxford as one of the most advanced coaches on the road today. As a taster one picture is shown below and the rest under the National Express heading. You can read all about the system at the link below.

http://www.alcolockgb.com/product.html

This issue has much to interest readers and as ever your contributions have ensured and excellent read for all. The first of the twenty six Hybrid Enviro 400s have started to arrive for Stagecoach Oxford and a couple are in use for driver training as I write these notes. As is the custom with Stagecoach they have some introductory wording on each bus to draw the attention of the citizens of Oxford to the green credentials of this new fleet.

Set to become 53701 in the Stagecoach fleet, OU10GYH is seen shortly after its arrival at the Horspath depot of SC Oxford.
Picture by Gavin Francis.

The first of a £16m investment in 56 state-of-the-art buses for the UK, with 30% less carbon emissions than standard vehicles, went into service in Oxford.

Market-leading British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis and BAE Systems have provided the technology behind the new low carbon buses, which feature an innovative regenerative braking system.

A fleet of 26 hybrid vehicles will run on some of the busiest city centre routes in Oxford. The historic university city has one of the highest levels of bus use in the UK, with around 50% of all local journeys made by bus.

Stagecoach's major bus network in Manchester will also benefit from 30 new electric-hybrid vehicles from September.

The new vehicles are being part-funded by a £5million support package from the Department for Transport's Green Bus Fund.

"Greener, smarter bus travel is a low-cost, low-carbon solution to the challenge of climate change. New technology and pro-bus policies are crucial if we are to get people to switch from the car to public transport."

"Stagecoach is setting a very positive example when it comes to delivering low carbon transport technology and it is investment on this level that will help us to deliver a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system.

"We hope other operators and local authorities will follow suit by taking advantage of the £15 million additional funding for green buses in England I announced just last week."

The new Enviro400H buses were built at Alexander Dennis's manufacturing plants in Falkirk, Scotland, which employs around 900 people, and Guildford, England.

"We are now well beyond the pioneering stage with electric-hybrids and can lead the world with a transport solution that tackles clean air issues head-on. As a business ADL will continue to invest in further hybrid development programmes and to bring innovative, fuel-saving, low carbon buses to market. The next of these will be a three-door, flat floor, 18-tonne single deck targeted at mainland Europe. It will be launched later this year."

The pioneering hybrid technology, specifically designed for buses, has now built up more than 150 million miles in commercial service. The Enviro400H's regenerative braking system means the buses can run in service without the lithium ion batteries requiring mains recharging.

"This latest chapter in our successful partnership with Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) clearly demonstrates that the hybrid has arrived in the UK market, and it will undoubtedly prove to be a key enabler for the bus industry as it works to meet the Government's CO₂ and emissions targets."

The new buses for Oxford are part of a package of improvements in the city coming later in the year under a partnership between Stagecoach, Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford Bus Company.

It includes a new multi-operator integrated smartcard ticketing system, co-ordinated high frequency services on four of the city's main corridors, more seats, better information and faster boarding for bus passengers, as well as safer, cleaner and less congested streets around Oxford.

Meanwhile, Stagecoach Group is working with major public transport groups in the UK on a major campaign to encourage people to make less use of cars and switch to sustainable bus and coach travel instead. The Greener Journeys campaign is targeting one billion fewer car journeys over the next three years. The target could be achieved by switching one in 25 journeys by car to bus and coach, delivering a huge reduction in carbon emissions.

In April, Stagecoach Group launched a new sustainability strategy and £11million investment programme to reduce further the carbon emissions from its transport operations in the UK and North America. The Group is targeting an overall reduction of 8% in buildings CO2e emissions and a cut of 3% in annual fleet transport CO2e emissions.

Earlier this year, Stagecoach Group was awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard for its British bus and rail operations. It is the first Scottish-based transport group - and one of only two listed UK public transport operators - to have achieved the stretching carbon reduction benchmark.

The launch which took place on Thursday, 15^th July used 12011 and 12014 to convey members of the BBC Oxford News TV crew around Oxford (12014) and the guests from the launch on a short demonstration run (12011) after the official launch and ribbon cutting.

12010 was strategically placed outside the Old Jail Hotel where the launch took place and was also used for many photographs, explanations by Andy Boulton of ADL to interested groups about how the bus works and for the ribbon cutting at the formal part of the event.

A nice touch was the provision of umbrellas for the guests when a short but sharp shower of rain interrupted proceeding. 

An interesting statistic was provided by Andy Boulton of ADL who said that of the three operators trialling these type of buses in London on the 16, 24 and 141 TFL advised that in the last period 100% reliability was achieved on the 16 and 24 and 99% on the 141. This is a significant achievement for a comparatively new type of bus.

Following the launch five buses entered service on route 1 to Blackbird Leys. The first service was worked by 12005.

A general view of the launch last Thursday.

Cutting the ribbon on the launch bus.

Full details of these buses in service at present are given below.

So far received: 

12002-5, 7-14. 

It is expected that 12012 will go to Aldershot for use on services at the forthcoming Farnborough Air Show. 

Being used for training: 

12007 and 12008 

First day service: 

12002, 12005, 12009, 12011 & 12014. 

Entered service with the above on Friday 16^th July: 

12003, 12004, 12010 and 12013. 

Further buses are expected following the return to work after the summer holiday break at Alexanders.

More on the Beaconsfield Bus shelter stolen!!

From Frank Brown

Dave Jackson wondered what had happened to the Beaconsfield [Old Town] London bound LT era wooden bus shelter? A regular Carousel A40 passenger informed me it had been hit by a vehicle [car?] and demolished ! Wonder what happened to the wheelie bin? Ed.

Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society

Last month the first meeting of the Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society took place and was quite well attended. plans are in place for future meetings to have contributions from members and I will be including details in forthcoming issues of this page.

Indeed details of the next meeting are

Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society

Next meeting: 20th July 2010.

19.00 - 21.30pm

Meetings are held at:

Upstairs Function Room

The Folly Bridge Inn

38 Abingdon Road

Oxford

A detailed programme can be found at the following look and we hope more of you will attend future meetings.

http://www.oxbuses.webs.com/

A note regarding photographs which show drivers faces.

From Bob Stanger 

Once again a very interesting and comprehensive latest edition of the above. Quite frankly I cannot imagine how you find the time to produce it. But of course you do so many thanks. 

I was having my evening meal last Friday having done a days driving with Horseman Coaches when I received a call from Ensignbus asking if I could cover a standby Rail Replacement duty during the day tomorrow e.g. Saturday. 

Nothing unusual so far until a) it was to be at High Wycombe Station and b) it will be using Ensign's recently restored Leyland Tiger Duple Caribbean coach adorned in the former Southend Transport X1 livery. 

What does a man have to do? Well of course the answer was yes and so attached are some photographs I took during the day. 

I was called into service on one run to Aylesbury calling at all stations stopping at Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Monks Risborough and Little Kimble. I quickly realised why it was single deckers only!

I was joined later at High Wycombe by another Ensign standby vehicle however without being disrespectful to 'Dart' owners I think I had the better deal.

Other companies involved in the day were Souls; Chalfont Coaches ( in National Express livery ); On A Mission, Z & S, both single deck buses and coaches; Heyfordian and A & B executive Travel. 

I took the opportunity to sample the local bus scene and also attached are just a few of my shots taken during a long sunny day in Buckinghamshire.

From Glenn Knight

I am now awaiting further pictures from the North East of the ex Oxford Volvos when they enter service in the new home area.

Pictures from various contributors.

Various pictures including ones showing Q busters at work on 5 road by Gavin Francis.

Two rears of current fleet members parked in Norfolk St on July 15th by Malcolm Crowe.

From Colin Richardson 

A one time member of the RH fleet is now at work in Manchester as seen in this picture from Chris Lowe.

For the third consecutive summer, Tiger Line Buses are to introduce a new local bus service, on Monday 9^th August 2010! 

The new Tiger Line Service T5 will link Amersham, Chesham, Lye Green, Bovingdon, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, Adeyfield, Leverstock Green, St Albans, Fleetville, Oaklands, and Hatfield. The service will operate every hour, Monday to Friday daytimes, and every two hours on Saturdays. 

The service will build on the success of Tiger Line’s other bus services. Tiger Line have a reputation for providing quality bus services around Chesham and Hemel Hempstead. Nothing is too much trouble for our friendly staff and whilst our buses are not low floor, our drivers are more than willing to assist passengers with shopping or buggies. Our buses are fitted with comfortable, coach-style seating. 

The new route also marks the launch of a new look for the company. Previously, our buses were white with lettering. However, the vehicles intended for this work will be painted in a new livery of mostly orange, with a black skirt. Most buses will be fitted with route branding, showing clearly where we are going, and our fare deals. 

Fares on Service T5 are low, and designed to encourage passengers to travel. We have low single tickets, Day Returns (valid all day), Weekly and Saverstrip (12 journeys for no more than the price of 10). Discounts on the Adult fare are available to Children, University of Hertfordshire staff & students, Oaklands College staff & students, West Herts College staff & students, etc. 

Passengers who purchase a Return or Explorer ticket (but not Roary Rovers) between Hemel Hempstead and Hatfield can come back later on the evening at no extra charge! After we’ve gone home for the night, Uno operate an evening Service 301 between the same points, which will accept our Return tickets, and all Intalink Explorers. 

Our new Roary Rover tickets will allow 1, 7 or 28 days unlimited travel, in the areas of your choice, or even across our whole network! How does £5.00 for a day’s travel anywhere we go sound, good? Well, it gets even better on Saturdays, when you can take two Children free with every Adult Network Roary Rover (daily, weekly, 4-weekly) purchased on that day (or, in the case of weekly/4 weekly tickets, valid for that day). 

This bus journey connects with four main railway lines, various markets, local shops, hospitals, and hundreds of other bus connections. 

This new service will also reinstate links between Hemel Hempstead, Bovingdon and Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Passengers can board our Service T5 heading for Chesham, and change there to Service T1, which takes you straight into the grounds of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, as well as other places such as Great Missenden or Worlds End Garden Centre. 

We currently have four through journeys on our Service T2 between Chesham and Watford. Now, passengers can travel between these points throughout the day, simply by changing buses at Hemel Hempstead. 

Stagecoach named Public Transport Operator of the Year

16/07/2010

• Transport group wins top bus award for second consecutive year

Stagecoach Manchester was last night (Thursday 15 July) named Public Transport Operator of the Year at the 2009 National Transport Awards.

The company scooped the prestigious top bus operator award at a ceremony in Manchester’s Palace Hotel after impressing judges with its passenger growth, health and safety record and customer service.

The award marks a double achievement for Stagecoach Group after its Bluebird bus company also scooped the Public Transport Operator (Bus) honour at the 2009 National Transport Awards.

Stagecoach Manchester now carries more than 96million passengers a year on a fleet of more than 650 vehicles. The company has achieved passenger growth in both adult and concessionary markets of 23% in the past five years and continues to attract new users through route and ticket promotions.

Since 2006, Stagecoach Manchester has invested more than £44million in around 300 new double decker vehicles and 62% of its bus fleet complies with Euro 3 emissions standards or higher. In line with Stagecoach Group’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the company also buys most of its energy from renewable sources and recycles over 70% of all waste.

The National Transport Awards recognise excellence across the transport industry in the UK and Ireland and are organised in association with Transport Times. A total of 20 awards were presented across a range of categories, recognising excellence in transport delivery, travel information and marketing, innovation, walking and cycling, sustainable transport, bus and rail services, accessibility and customer service.

In total, 10 Stagecoach bus and rail companies were shortlisted for nominations at this year’s awards.

EU plan for passenger compensation for coach delays

The European Commission is drawing up plans to give coach and bus passengers the right to claim compensation in the event of delays or cancellations.

The aim is to extend passenger rights currently enjoyed by air and train passengers. MEPs want the rules to apply to long-distance as well as local bus transport.

Draft rules were approved Tuesday and negotiations will now start between the EU institutions.

But some member states have insisted national governments should be left to decide whether urban, suburban and regional services could be exempted if covered by a "public service contract" guaranteeing a similar level of passenger rights.

Under the rules, which also apply to passengers travelling by sea and inland waterway, travellers would be entitled to cash refunds for delays or cancellations. They would also get up to £1,800 for lost or damaged baggage and unlimited compensation in the event of a passenger's death in a bus or coach accident.

A Confederation of Passenger Transport UK spokesman warned of a "pretty drastic" impact on local services, with significant increase in costs for operators.

"I am in favour of cross-border coaches falling under the same passenger rights rules as other international transport modes, but imposing this upon local services, many of them run by small operators, is ridiculous.

"It will raise costs to small scale operators, many of whom provide a vital service in rural areas, and push up prices. Far from improving service, it will hinder it and push many operators to say that the liabilities no longer make the service viable."

Green Bus Fund second round

Transport Minister Norman Baker announced this morning (Monday) that the second round of Green Bus Funding – originally announced by Lord Adonis in late March – will now go ahead, and has been increased from £10m to £15m.

The fund is expected to support the purchase of around 150 hybrid and electric buses, by funding the additional capital cost, compared with a conventional diesel bus. Bus operators and councils can bid for the money.

The measure only applies in England, as transport is devolved in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Scotland announced its own green bus fund last month

At the launch this morning, at Vauxhall Bus Station, Norman Baker said: “This investment will stimulate the market for low carbon buses by reducing some of the initial costs for operators and councils.

“It will deliver significant benefits, in particular reducing the impact of road transport on climate change and improving air quality.”

New luxury express coach service to offer first class rail-style travel at economy prices

• Citylink Gold to link Glasgow with Aberdeen and Inverness from just £4*
• Green hi-tech coaches to offer fast journey times to match the train
• Passengers can relax with free Wi-Fi and at-seat refreshments

Scottish Citylink launched a new luxury express coach service on Monday 5th July, offering passengers the chance to enjoy a first class rail-style journey at economy prices.

Fast, state-of-the-art air-conditioned coaches will match journey times by train, offering bargain fares from just £4*, as well as free Wi-Fi and at-seat refreshments.

The brand new Citylink Gold services will link Glasgow-Aberdeen and Glasgow-Aviemore-Inverness with six services a day on each route.

The 15-metre luxury coaches, which can carry 54 passengers, are equipped with leather seats, mahogany table trays, a servery and toilet. They also feature some of the greenest engines in Europe with low carbon emissions.

Launching the new services, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian Souter said: "We are offering a fast, first-class express coach service at economy prices. With this great package we are taking coach travel to a new level of luxury."

Jaspal Singh, CEO of ComfortDelGro UK and Ireland, added: "Citylink Gold will provide passengers with more than just a journey - it's a great value, comfortable and modern service which I hope will encourage more people to choose coach travel as their preferred mode of transport."

Jaspal Singh, CEO of ComfortDelGro UK and Ireland & Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian Souter

Scottish Citylink now carries more than three million passengers each year, offering prices from as little as £1 per journey*.

History & Discussion

History

From Tom Pike 

Discussion

Running days

From Andrew Morgan (RM1368) on the Ridgeway Run

I thought that you might be interested that this years Ridgeway Run had a different route, and, for example it does not go through Stokenchurch. My RM was entered.

(Due to an oversight on my part, I missed recording the recent Ridgeway Run and some pictures received from Andrew Morgan (RM1368 fame) which recorded a most interesting event. Apologies to Andrew who went to the trouble of sending the pictures. Ed.)

The pictures were taken at the final point of the run at Quainton Road and show the variety of vehicles taking part in this year's run.
The first picture shows RM1368 and other London RMs and the second and third wonderful Leyland cheetah with Harrington bodywork, once the pride of Minehead.
Pictures by Andrew Morgan (RM1368).

Peterborough from Andrew Morgan (Herts)

EMBLINGS ex-OXFORD Bristol VR (AUD460R) on 11/07/10 at Wansford station on the Nene Valley Railway on a feeder from Peterborough bus rally the main reason of sending the picture is because I was wondering if any one knows when and or why the windscreen wipers were moved from below the widescreen to above it ?

(This bus is interesting because it started life with city of Oxford Motor Services Ed.)

North Weald 2010

From Marcus Lapthorn 

I attended the North Weald event and hope readers will enjoy some of the pictures I took.

From Richard Sharman

Richard attended this event and sent a number of interesting pictures.

Buses in the Landscape 

The London Bus Company's Daimler Fleetline DM1052 and a full scale Hawker Hurricane model at North Weald on 04/07/10.
Andrew Morgan (Herts)

 
Two from Gavin taken in London showing the London Eye and Westminster.

Gavin Francis's picture with not a bus in sight, should be Boats in the Landscape! However I did like the picture.

Arriva the Shires 3283 climbing Byson Hill towards Studham & Whipsnade with Aylesbury Vale in the far background.
Picture by Glenn Knight

Upcoming Events

Olympian trip in our area on Saturday 24th July 2010

From Chris Martin

I'm writing to you as the provider of all information in the local area via your superb Oxford and Chiltern Bus Page to tell you about a trip I'm running in the area in a couple of months time. Firstly a bit of background; I organise trips for an online group dedicated to Leyland Olympians and we have previously visited Confidence in Leicester, Redfern in Mansfield and Alpine in Llandudno. We concentrate on the older Olympians (eg ECW bodywork) as these are so scarce in service now and our next trip will be based in High Wycombe where Heyfordian will be conveying us around the area for the day, we should ride on four different Olympians during the day and a visit to the Motts depot in Aylesbury is also included. If you would be kind enough to mention our trip on the Oxford and Chiltern bus page we would be very grateful, we tend to attract a handful of "locals" when we run these trips which provide a useful boost in numbers to our Olympian fans which come from far and wide. 

On SATURDAY JULY 24th I have arranged that we will visit Heyfordian for a day of activity on the often overlooked collection of old Leyland Olympians in the fleet there. Following a similar formula to our four previous trips on the old Olympians we will undertake a series of mini excursions around the area stopping on each trip to get our photos of the vehicle.

We will be aiming to ride on at least FOUR different Olympians from the collection of former North East area ECW bodied Olympians. 

The day will start and finish in High Wycombe and we will leave the Heyfordian depot in West Wycombe at 0945, picking up in Castle Street (ideal for rail station) in High Wycombe at 0955. Our first trip will take us out via Great Missenden to the Motts depot in Aylesbury where we have been kindly allowed to visit to see and photograph the vehicles there. We return to High Wycombe via Princess Risborough.

After swapping over buses we will head out through Stokenchurch to the small Heyfordian outbase in Yarnton which is just north of Oxford. This allows us to enjoy a long run on the bus and see and photograph the other Heyfordian vehicles. We will borrow one of the Yarnton vehicles for a trip into Oxford where we will take a one hour lunch break before returning the bus to Yarnton and running back to High Wycombe.

After another change of bus we will embark on a circular tour around Wycombe Marsh, Bourne End and Marlow- this trip will drop off in Castle Street in High Wycombe on the way back at around 1755 and our day will conclude at the depot in West Wycombe at around 1805. Each excursion has been planned so that we have plenty of time to stop a couple of times for photos of the bus away from the depot environment. 

As a courtesy to Motts Travel's helpfulness can I request that a hi-viz vest be worn at all times when within the depot. 

The price for a full day of unlimited travel is set at £15.00 per person, accompanied kids can ride for just £5.00. There is also a concessions fare of £12.50 available to any National Concession Card holder, and passengers who joined us on the Redfern/Johnsons Trip in Mansfield on May 1st can bring their pink leaflets with the discount voucher to claim £1.50 off any of those prices. 

THERE IS NO NEED TO PRE-BOOK, NOR IS THERE A NEED FOR AN "INVITATION", NOR IS THERE A REQUIREMENT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE LEYLAND OLYMPIANS YAHOO GROUP TO JOIN US. Sorry about the shouting bit, there does seem to be some confusion over that point! All you need to do is simply turn up on the day, hop on the bus and your friendly conductor will collect your fare during the journey. 

I sincerely look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on this trip, please forward this message onto anyone else who you think may be interested and please cut and paste into other news groups- you don't need to be a member of the Leyland Olympians Yahoo group to join us and the success of these trips depends on getting enough passengers.

The Kemble Steam Extravaganza once again this year, which is taking place at the Cotswold Airport from Friday 6^th – Sunday 8^th August. 

Record bus and coach displays at South-West's largest festival of transport

The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza makes a welcome return to Cotswold Airport (previously known as Kemble Airfield) this year from Friday 6th - Sunday 8th August 2010, taking the show in to its 36^th year.

The show was originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, but the range of exhibits has grown year on year. It now boasts a huge array of vintage transport, including buses, coaches, motorcycles, military vehicles, classic cars, tractors, aircraft, commercial vehicles, traction engines and historic caravans. A live action arena, interactive demonstrations, rare breeds, shire horses, trade stands and a vintage fun fair along with hundreds of curiosity stalls ranging from Victorian memorabilia, antique sewing and knitting machines to model dolls houses, petrol pumps, vintage garden tools and 1940s – 1950’s home wares makes this three day extravaganza one of the UK's best value family outdoor shows.

Widely regarded as a show within a show, the bus section has grown from humble beginnings to a vintage vehicle rally in its own right. Attracting exhibits from the length of the land as well as from foreign climes as far as china, the line up of vehicles is as colourful as it is impressive.

Buses of every shape, size and configuration will be represented, with highlights including a Bristol built double-decker once operated by Lincolnshire Road Car.  You can also expect to find an array of preserved buses that you would have perhaps once travelled on as a child, such as classic Bedford OBs. The section is certainly a nostalgia trip not to be missed!

John Hitchings of the bus and coach section of Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza says: "Everybody enjoys seeing old buses and coaches because we each remember special journeys made on them. A ride on a vintage bus is a trip heavy with nostalgia."

A free vintage bus service will be operating to and from Kemble railway station throughout the show to connect with selected First Great Western Trains. A courtesy bus will also shuttle guests to the Bristol Aero collection. Formed in 1990, this collection records 95 years of Bristol aviation and space heritage. Based in a large wartime hangar, the collection includes aircraft, helicopters, missiles and engines. For details of the bus schedule, please refer to the website www.steamextravaganza.com  Buses will depart from outside the main show entrance.

Pictures from last year's event

Admission Information: 

Discounted tickets are available to buy online, please visit www.steamextravaganza.com

Discounted tickets are also available from Local Tourist Information Centres including: Stroud, Cirencester, Chippenham, Swindon, Malmesbury, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Cotswolds and Tetbury. 

Prices on the Gate:

Adult:                          Friday: £7, Saturday or Sunday: £10, Weekender: £15

Concessions:            Friday: £6, Saturday or Sunday: £9, Weekender: £13

Juniors:                      Friday: £4, Saturday or Sunday: £5, Weekender: £8

Under 5’s free of charge 

Friday family ticket: £18 (2 adults & 2 children)

Saturday or Sunday family ticket:  £25 (2 adults & 2 children) 

Gates open: Friday – Sunday, 10.00am         Public enquiries contact: 01453 890891

All profits donated to the Cobalt Appeal Fund, Diabetes UK & The County Air Ambulance.