If you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will advise of any mid-week news please let me know
malcolmhc@aol.com

Well, what a few weeks there have been, bringing much news of happenings in our neck of the woods.

Buckinghamshire coach operator "On A Mission" (click this link to read details.) went into receivership at 9am on August 2nd, details of which can be found under Jottings lower down this page. Several National Express routes have changed operator, Transport Malta has chosen Arriva (Malta) Consortium as its preferred bidder, Ashok Leyland is set to buy a 26% stake in Optare making a most interesting reversal of a situation from many years ago when Leyland started manufacture in India in cooperation with Ashok and two accidents on the M40 and M25 involved coaches from our area of coverage.

On the service front First is set to change the nature of its Slough-Wycombe service, introducing a revision in the next few weeks and going express as the X74. The 377 service which serves Beaconsfield is now in the hands of Z&S, the original operator, Magpie, losing out to the new operator.

53704 in The Eden Bus Station, High Wycombe on 23rd July. Picture by Gavin Francis.

Since the last issue the five new Elite coaches, operated by Stagecoach, have entered service on the 737 from Oxford to Stansted and more Enviro 400 Hybrids have entered service in Oxford. Indeed Oxford could now be called Enviro 400 City as there are six differing versions of this type operating in the city. Indeed if you count the 28 branded ones from Stratford which appear on the S3 on Sundays one could almost claim SEVEN.

In another home following transfer!
An Oxford Bus in Gateshead Metro and a North East Trident in St Aldates, Oxford. Pictures by Ray Parnaby and Gavin Francis.

The first pictures of the ex Oxford Bus Volvos, now in service in the North East, are to hand in their striking yellow livery and in contrast four of the ex North East Tridents have reappeared in Oxford service fully garbed in a coat of green for use on the 300 and 500 P&R services. This was something of a surprise as it was believed that they were leaving the fleet. It just goes to show that there are still surprises in this modern day world of high speed communication.

News is also contained in this issue of another special day when we will see the Hemel Hempstead Running Day on Sunday 15 August 2010.  (click this link to read details.) This was a great event last year and well worth attending. Details may be found further down this page.

Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society

Last month the second meeting of the Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society took place and was 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.

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 per person per meeting depending on numbers.

Next meeting: 21st September 2010. tbcf

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.

I have spotted a 1979 Olympian in grey/Silver and Blue quite a few times lately, firstly in Stewkley and then again in Aylesbury. Untaxed, though maybe its changing service? Bus was very smokey too.

From Alexander

Yesterday 22/7

S3 branded bus on S5

Queen's St was closed due to A gas leak in 1 of the shops. Busses had to be diverted. Routes 3 and 7C were picking-up from Castle St and running via New Rd, Park End St, Hollybush Row, Oxpens Rd, Thames St, Speedwell St and St Aldate's. Route 300 was diverting via Castle St, Old Greyfriars St and Speedwell St and stopping at Castle St. The 8 was diverting via St Aldate's but I didn't see what others were doing or no any more about what the 8 was doing.

From James May

Launched on the 19th of July where five Scania/Enviro 400's for route 28 operated by Stratford Depot.
Picture by Richard Sharman.

These are the first new deckers for Warwickshire since 1998 when they had a batch of S-ANH Volvo Olympians.

Four are branded for the 28 and one remains unbranded as a spare.

The T KPG batch of Tridents they replace are being de-branded before going back into service.


Also pictured is a Solo new to Cambridge and two recent cascaded Olympians.

From Alan Drake

Living in Kettering I don't get much chance to contribute to your pages but following the piece on Z&S's ex Stobart coach I thought you might like to see these. First in her full Stobart livery when she was new and I also saw her in Amboise in the Loire valley having some belts seen to in June 2006 when with Z&S.  Many thanks for your great site.

From Gavin Francis

Gavin reports seeing two of the old Oxford tubes on the Western Avenue, the latest being ex 50102 this morning, August 6th. I wonder who is operating them? He saw the one, 50117, the one reported at Grayline a few weeks ago earlier this week. 

Premium Tours have now branded and added a rear ad to one of their RMLs. With the flags its almost a copy of Arriva Round London. 

Not sure what Health and Safety think of this in VCS. However plenty of chances for diversions on this route! 

Must be a first? I think an Enviro had failed at Magdalen Street and this was the nearest bus available on 26th July. Picture by Gavin Francis.
(I brought this bus back from Cordwallis @ Eynsham on 29th July after some rectification work! Ed.)
 

One of two ex Reading Buses Optare Excels running with JPT (Middleton, Gtr Manchester) in Market Street, Manchester City Centre on Friday 23 July 2010.

From Peverel

A few newbies and surprises so far this week. 

Firstly, I saw 902 which, despite apparently having left the fleet (according to a member of this group along with 903), has re-entered service sporting a full P+R paint-job. Very nice and shiny indeed. 

Three new hybrids have hit the road in service - 12012 was seen Tuesday, 12007 & 12008 were both seen today - both minus their introductory 'training bus' adverts and 'green credentials' stickers.

And, my photo of an Elite - 53704 this evening - which crept up behind me and I was lucky to get such a clear shot. I also managed a shot of 53702 by the Ice Rink this morning - not in service on the front - but I'm afraid I was caught unawares again and my photo is a tad blurred. So it goes - another better one will follow in due course. 

And finally Malcolm, my daily walks past the coach park today revealed on old friend visiting - up from the South Coast. Nice to see it's still plying its trade.

Two slightly different photos on Fri; Firstly, caught a double deck Red Rose laying over in Speedwell St, and later, a Motts vehicle that seemed to be instead of the ever-present MA07BUS. Again, I could be wrong, but this did appear to be in service....

This morning (Sun) I popped into town to get the 10am S3 - which I was sure would be one of Stratford's Enviro's.

Tuesday 3rd August

P216LKJ has transferred from Garston to Luton, 3261/2/8 and 3601/2/3 have gained Interurban livery on repaint at Luton.

Taken at Dunstable "Asda" 22/07/2010, 3262 Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown. Glenn Knight.

On 25/6 Luton based Volvo B10BLE 3268 appeared on the 15:38 60 Luton to Studham and is seen at Studham "Red Lion". Glenn Knight.

Much interest was found in the appearance in London of various buses involved in location work on a new film. The buses were provided by Steve Burns.

From Nigel Peach

What is "City Stop"?! Would this be for more filming?  

Frank Brown was good enough to answer my previous questions re Carousel. I wonder if he knows the answer to this!

Nigel goes on to say:

I happened to see Steve Burns at the depot yesterday (24th). He told me that the unidentified bus was bought for a film and M1386 (C386BUV) was used as a double. In the film (a Bollywood one!), a car drives straight through the bus. The film company didn't want to keep the bus, so it is now in the yard with a big hole in each side! Steve says the bus will likely end up scrapped. He did tell me the number - I think he said M1322, but I'm not sure. 

Two buses were freshly painted for this work. Nigel Peach.

M1386 C386BUV had the nearside cut out for a stunt in a film from what I have been told a car drives through the side.

From Glenn Knight

Taken in H. Wycombe 21/07/2010 

As we now know it was 1312 used for the stunt work and 1386 acted as a double but is expected to return to service. Ed.

Luton Airport: First Capital Connect have two recent additions T3FCC 10180, T4FCC 10181, T5FCC 10182 which are Volvo B7R Wright Bendi-bus in full Train-2-Plane livery. These buses have come from service in Bath where they were painted orange.

Picture by Gavin Francis.

Pictures of these buses can be found at the following link:  http://jevonsjourneys.fotopic.net/c56598.html

They were reregistered in Bath before transfer to Luton!!

They have replaced the ex Irish Citaro bendis and it would appear the last of the Wright Street Cars.

The Heyfordian white Solo V114DCF featured in S&J 30 is an ex Reading and been in the Heyfordian fleet since 10/09 and is not a loan vehicle.

From Robert Williams

Heyfordian V114DCF is one of two Solos acquired from Reading Transport in October 2009 and is not a loan vehicle.

From Nick Eustace

I've been an avid viewer of your site for some time and thought you might like this shot of one of Tappins Van Hools fresh out the paint shop at Heyfordian in Bicester wearing its rather splendid new livery. They currently have the Berkhof decker being sprayed so will hope to have a picture next week when it is done.

From David Fuller

I wondered if you or Steve Warwick were able to assist me on the below queries:

- In early June, Heyfordian informed me that they are in the process of updating their fleet, and I wanted to know if any of the Wycombe based vehicles are being put into the new livery / re-upholstered over the school summer holidays or later this year. If so, can you provide registrations of those? 

- Secondly, my dad was looking for a new fleet list of the Bicester based vehicles. The newest he could find was 2005. Would you be able to compile one? 

Gavin's first chance to work on the new coaches came on Sunday 1st August when he took this picture of 53705 at Luton whilst on his way to Stansted.
Interesting to note is the Silverdale coach on the 767, this company recently took over the 767 from Veolia.

From Glenn Knight

Glenn was able to ride the new coaches on the first day in service when he travelled from Luton to High Wycombe on 53701.

53701 OU10GYH a Volvo B9R Plaxton Elite heading towards High Wycombe from Luton Airport at 15:30 and then in High Wycombe leaving for Oxford on 21st July.

From Andrew Webb

One of Stagecoach Oxford's impressive new Plaxtons, 53702, heading for the layover area at Stansted after arriving with a 737 around 12:30 on July 30th.
Picture by Andrew Webb

From Andrew Harvey-Adams

Whilst up at Luton Airport this morning I managed to see your new Volvo B9R / Plaxton Elites. Picture by Andrew Harvey-Adams

From Graham Low

A view of Stagecoach B9R/Elite 53703 taken on 26/7 at Gloucester Green. They are look very striking.

Picture by Graham Low

From Richard Sharman

A new Elite, 53705,  leaves Oxford. This view shows the striking rear end of these coaches.

General news on NEx.

From Ian Brown, Hemel. 

A recent e-mailed NX Interim business results states that NX is to roll out vehicle tracking technology on coaches in September. Also, volume and revenue up slightly in competitive market.

From Martin White

Have heard that as from Monday 2nd August South Gloucester took over operation of the 403s from First Somerset & Avon, this will be interesting as one working each way was covered by a First Devon & Cornwall vehicle working off the 504 Penzance - London in the evening and returning next day to work the 504 11:30 London - Penzance, this used to save a vehicle being sat in London all day and has happened since Badgerline days!!.

Have also heard that Stagecoach Mansfield have now completely ended their NEx Diagrams with the single 450 Mansfield - London - Mansfield diagram passing to Silverdale and the two other diagrams on the 350 Mansfield - Liverpool - Cambridge & Cambridge - Liverpool - Mansfield passing to Johnsons Worksop who are currently operating it with two 04 plate vehicles waiting delivery of new Levantes.

How are the new Volvo B9R Plaxton Elites forming on the Stansted’s, have you or will you get the chance to try one out as your no longer on the NEx rota, are you enjoying yourself on the Tube, have looked out for you in Vic when I’ve been around that way.

From Gavin Francis

Gavin caught up with an interesting coach on a National Express working, the 090 which is used as a positioning run by PETER GODWARD COACHES

219/20 entered service in 7/10.

Disposals: 401/2/8: Plymouth Citybus 6/10

801-810: Go North East 6/10

Note this corrects my earlier reports that 811-813 would also go north, sorry I was misinformed. Also 902, 903, 908 and 909 have not left the fleet as can be seen below.

From Graham Low

Oxford Bus Co Trident/Plaxton 902 has just re-appeared in Park and Ride livery, as shown in these views in St Aldates today (24 July). I have seen no OBC buses with route numbers applied as part of their branding recently. Most are still branded "city", except P&R and the Scania N230UDs.

From Ben Stoves

Red Eagle Buses T/A Redline Buses R701 YWC Ex-Stagecoach Manchester 32351 taken at the Aston Clinton depot.

Redline Buses A8 HOF  ex-M730 KJU taken at Latimer Park on private hire. 

P264NRH operated the 22:20 61 from Luton Airport.

One of your contributors recently said that G104AAD was the last remaining bus of that type still in service with Stagecoach Swindon. That would appear not to be the case as I saw G101 AAD in service in Swindon on Friday 16 July.

Stagecoach Swindon continue to have problems with the 66 route M A N's as I passed a broken down 22624 on the A420 at Besselsleigh at about 1740 on Tuesday 20 July. 

22/7

Today may be a historic first for the 66 route (Swindon to Oxford), as all six allocated vehicles were today of the correct vehicle type that should be allocated to work on this route - i.e. the infamous long wheel base M A N's! 22620/1/2/3/4 and 6 were all operating on the route (at least they were in the morning!)

From John Scotford of Chippenham

I attach a photo of Stagecoach Oxford 12012 displayed outside the BAE Systems 'hall' at the recent Farnborough Airshow. It was an exhibit, rather than used in service, I was told that on trade days some hybrid electric E200s were used on on-site shuttles.

The chap visible on the edge of the photo is a BAE Systems chap who has spent the last seven days there talking about the hybrid electric drive in the back of the E400. 

A chap from Alexander-Dennis turned up whilst I was talking to him and said he expects to deliver it back to Oxford on Monday or Tuesday. 

From Ian Hardy

I though you might be interested in this for your excellent Oxford & Chiltern website:

On Saturday 24th July 2010 I visited the Farnborough Airshow and Stagecoach Oxford 12012 OU10GHA, one of the new Hybrid AD E400 double deckers, was on the BAE Systems stand (BAE Systems were involved in the propulsion system for it).

Unfortunately I did not manage to get a photograph of it as it was not positioned very helpfully, and I was with two people who were at Farnborough to see aeroplanes and not to look at uses!!!

From Gary Seamarks

50202 T44 UBE on July 26th taken on Park Lane, London in a British summer!

From Gavin Francis

Weekend Tube services have had their terminus changed whilst work is taking place on the building at Green Line.
In the picture above 50201 is laying over in Vauxhall Bridge Road.

The new Hybrids are in full service with the latest deliveries appearing on the Kidlington services.

I believe that all the new Hybrids up to 12022 have now been delivered.

The E300s are now minus any route branding and are appearing on various routes, as shown above by work on the 31 and S5.

Megabus variety with latest Astromega 50232 on a Manchester service and an older Volvo B12BT on the Newcastle service.

New Solo 47736 a work on the 17.

The Oxford Levantes have, of course, been replaced by new elites and four of the five are shown here awaiting their fate.

One of the new Stratford Enviro 400s appeared on the Sunday S3 working on July 28th.

From Richard Sharman

Some nice pictures of the new Hybrids from Richard.

Showing a screen not seen that often is 15435 in Oxford.

Now expected to be seen more often an Enviro 300 works the S5 on July 30th.

With S & T plate M A N s being withdrawn from service the oldest M A N s will be these 51 plates.

Variety in Stratford including an ex Manchester Olympian.

From Peverel

Latest Hybrids to enter service and seen on August 2nd by Peverel.

An old friend seen in Oxpens by Peverel. Once 50036 in The Oxford Tube fleet.

From Glenn Knight

K108 SAG Dennis Dart Plaxton

YG52 DAD Optare Solo

T458 BNN Optare Solo

From James Allum

Pictures of the new repainted Tiger Lines for T5

Leyland Tiger Alexander Belfast DP53F Ex-Ulsterbus W65 UXI 1372 Ex-Ulsterbus 1372

 W65 at St. Albans Town Hall promoting new service T5 on August 4th. 

On A Mission no longer on a mission!

The owners of these coaches are quoted as Ellaway & Bjelobaba. It is said that Jason and Rebecca Ellaway with long-time friend, Milan Bjelobaba, ran a luxury coach-hire company called On A Mission Coaches, in Soulbury.

Transport Malta has chosen Arriva (Malta) Consortium as the preferred bidder to run the new public transport service. Arriva was selected as the preferred bidder following a tendering process that was based on technical parameters as well as financial bids.

Arriva brings to Malta, expertise and professional management, as well as €47 million investment in a sector where it is sorely needed. Arriva has far exceeded the minimum expectations set out in the tender published by Transport Malta, which required as a minimum buses that were not older than 15 years and a minimum Euro III standard with air conditioning and accessibility for persons with disability.

The fleet being provided by Arriva will:

• cost €35 million at the start-up of the new service;
• include 230 brand new Euro V buses;
• include an additional 86 buses all with Euro V engines that are between 2 and 7 years old;
• ensure improved accessibility and comfort: the entire bus fleet will be wheel-chair accessible and air conditioned in addition to the improved safety standards of contemporary bus design that only a fraction of today’s bus fleet is equipped with;
• the new vehicles will include 13 electric-hybrid vehicles that will be used to provide services in historically and environmentally sensitive areas including Valletta, Cottonera, Attard and its surrounding villages, Victoria and a number of routes in the Gozitan countryside;
• be air-conditioned and equipped with on-vehicle destination and ‘next stop’ electronic displays;
• be washed every day to retain the highest standard of cleanliness but specialised equipment will be used to re-cycle 95% of the water;
• be strictly maintained and undergo daily technical checks in accordance with international engineering standards.

This will mean that Malta and Gozo will be equipped with one of the youngest, most modern and most environmentally friendly public transport fleets in Europe. Quite apart from this, a new bus fleet will in and of itself signify an improvement to the quality of our air.

Arriva (Malta) undertook in their submission to make their Malta project a model of sustainable development. Their target is to increase bus passengers by 54% over current levels of use by the end of the 10 year contract term but also undertook to reduce the carbon footprint of Malta’s bus operation by 15% in 2017 over 2011 numbers.

The reduction from the carbon footprint of today’s bus operation is almost inestimable given that the average age of the bus fleet before the changeover to the new system is of over 30 years which will be going down to less than 2 years overnight when the new service starts.

Arriva (Malta) undertook to provide all the services on the extensive network required by Government in the tender process. In addition to this, Arriva undertook to provide night services connecting various destinations around Malta on a 24-hour basis on weekends all year round and all week during the summer months.

The preferred bidder also undertook to employ around 1,100 people in Malta’s public transport operation, more than double existing numbers, creating new jobs for hundreds of people never before connected with the transport industry.

The consortium undertook to introduce contact-less smart cards, several new ticket vending machines as well as operate through agents throughout Malta and Gozo to ensure easy access to their services for tourists and locals alike. In addition the new operator will provide extensive passenger information, with information panels on each stop, route information on all buses, publications, on line information and a call centre. Passenger information will also be provided on around a 100 electronic bus stop displays that are coordinated with vehicle tracking technology that will inform bus passengers in real time on bus arrival times.

Minister Austin Gatt said that “we are a step closer to the reform the country has been hoping for. It is wrong to assume that we can bring about this massive change without investment, both public and private. We do believe however that the rewards the country will reap will go beyond the monetary. Cleaner air, reduced congestion, increased accessibility and improved mobility will be a social, economic and cultural reform that will go far beyond the narrow but highly visible difference made by a new bus fleet on our roads.”

Ashok Leyland to buy 26% stake in Optare

India’s second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, Ashok Leyland (part of the London-based Hinduja Group) has agreed to buy a 26% stake in Leeds-based Optare.

The money - £5m before expenses - will be raised by the issue of new Optare shares, which the board is recommending that shareholders should approve at a General Meeting on 16 August.

On the announcement, Optare’s shares fell by 12.5% to 5.3p, reflecting the expected dilution of existing shareholdings and end to speculation of an outright takeover.

News of a potential partner for Optare was revealed earlier in the year, with a deal originally expected to be announced by the end of June.

Under the deal, Optare will “be a part of Ashok Leyland’s global strategy for buses,” says the firm.

Optare says that the deal is “expected to further benefit Ashok Leyland in its endeavour to accelerate technology, new product development and to address new markets.”

While Ashok Leyland will have access to Optare’s technology (including its bus range which “will appeal to several global markets”) in turn, Optare will “seek to improve its competitiveness through access to Ashok Leyland’s lower-cost supply chain.”

Ashok Leyland will have two representatives Optare’s board.

Optare CEO Jim Sumner says: “We are delighted, and firmly believe that in Ashok Leyland we have found the perfect strategic partner to help Optare realise its full potential by providing best cost sourcing, technology sharing, new distribution channels and joint product development activity.”

Two freed from easyBus following M25 crash

July 29, 2010

TWO passengers had to be cut free by fire crews after an airport bus flipped over on the M25 near Redhill, leaving four people injured.

The easyBus mini-coach - carrying a driver and four passengers - spun 180 degrees, landing on its side and facing oncoming traffic, following a collision with a black car shortly after 4pm on Wednesday.

A woman in her 40s had to be cut free from the bus and was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London, with serious leg injuries.

A couple in their late 20s or early 30s, who were also on the bus, were taken by ambulance to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.

A 54-year-old man, thought to be the driver of the black car, was also taken to East Surrey with minor head and chest injuries.

An easyGroup spokesman confirmed the bus, a 19-seat Optare Soroco travelling from Gatwick Airport to Fulham Broadway, was carrying a driver and four passengers when it crashed just to the west of the M23 intersection.

He added: “easyBus's immediate concern is for the wellbeing of the passengers, and driver and we will co-operate fully with the emergency services.”

The clockwise carriageway was closed for almost seven hours between junctions 6 and 8 (for Godstone and Reigate) while crews worked at the scene, causing tailbacks of more than five miles back into Kent and leaving thousands of rush-hour motorists stranded. 

Three fire engines, seven ambulances, two paramedic responder cars, the London Air Ambulance and police units all attended the scene.

Articles with pictures can be found at the links below.

Two coaches crash on M40

Monday 19th July 2010

Five people suffered minor injuries this morning following a crash involving two coaches on the M40 near Banbury.

The accident happened at 5.10am on the southbound carriageway between junction 12 at Gaydon and junction 11 at Banbury.

One coach travelling on the M40 hit the other which was parked on the hard shoulder.

Service changes from Sunday 25 July 2010

Heading into Oxford at night?

As a result of this improved service, all Saturday services will operate a through service between Redbridge P&R, Oxford City Centre and Pear Tree P&R.

From Monday 10^th May, Park & Ride 400 services heading towards Thornhill will be unable to use the Headington stop (just beyond Osler Road junction, outside Starbuck’s). All Park & Ride services towards Thornhill will therefore observe the city 8/9 stop (outside Allen & Harris).

Blackpool Trams update by Geoff Cunliffe

I am pleased to be able to report that Blackpool trams started running again as far as Fleetwood from 26 July - not, regrettably, to the final destination of The Ferry but to Ash Street, the end of the reserved track and beginning of the main street which is being upgraded for the new Supertrams due in 2012. You may remember that the opening of the stretch from Cleveleys to Ash Street has been delayed many months because of vandalism and the theft of the copper overhead wire (more than once). Much to the relief of the Fleetwood retailers, the service has been restored as much as it can be for the moment. 

The most southerly stretch of the system between the Pleasure Beach and Starr Gate will not reopen until Easter 2012 for passenger use. Track laying on this section is virtually complete, including the reinstatement of the Starr Gate turning loop, and it my guess, and my guess only I must stress, that this section will be used for testing the new cars given their new depot has been built, contentiously, at Starr Gate, and for driver training and familiarisation.  

(Sorry no picture of a tram at Fleetwood - yet)

Pulham's of Bourton on the Water by Geoff Cunliffe

Prior to the Volvos, they were faithful Leyland/Plaxton users with Leopards and Tigers, even for routes like their Moreton-Cheltenham 801, where drivers, certainly until recently, used hand operated Setrights and gave change from the traditional leather money bags. A regular user told me that he was impressed by their time keeping which he has found to be exceptionally reliable.

They seem to be the sort of operator beloved by enthusiasts. Many of their services are only one or two days per week and may have only one or two journeys per day. Several services support the Tuesday market at Moreton, and a Friday only service links Moreton to the Tesco at Stow. Some services, intriguingly, operate more in one direction than the other, suggesting that the fleet progressively becomes gathered in some obscure little Cotswold village. Their timetables, on their web site in PDF format, have delightful idiosyncrasies such as “Stops on request on Tuesdays and Fridays only”, “Calls by request to set down only” and “Places served in reverse order and/or on opposite side of the road”.

As their name suggests, they do more than run local bus services. As the Cotswold’s premier coach operator, they boast a modern and efficient fleet, offering luxury coaches with air-conditioning, servery and washroom facilities, refrigerator, DVD & CD players, PA system, and comfortable reclining seats with ample leg room. They are involved with private coach hire and have an extensive programme of day trips reaching to Bath, Windsor, Canterbury, Eastbourne, the Peak District, Chester and York to name but a few. Continental work is also undertaken.

I called in at their garage a couple of weeks ago and offer you the following “tasters”:-

A general view of Pulham’s premises from Station Road, Bourton-on-the-Water.

A couple of Pulham’s vehicles pictured on the car park across the road from their garage.

GL05 PUL a Van Hool C49Ft bodied  Volvo B12M at the entrance to their garage.

History & Discussion

History

Driving chassis from the manufacturers by Geoff Cunliffe

I have been doing some ferreting around following the items in S&J No.29 about bus chassis either on test or being delivered to bodybuilders by drivers clad in greatcoats, goggles, gauntlets, bobble hats and looking generally like terrorists about to pounce. 

There are some photographs from Commercial Motor of a Leyland Tiger chassis on test in Snowdonia on the following web page:-

http://www.minibusales.co.uk/oldbuspics/snowdonia001.html  

They are not brilliant but they are the best I have been able to find so far. Indeed the crew of two (unusual - perhaps one was the Commercial Motor reporter) do not seem to be overdressed for the jaunt.

Sorry to deluge you with emails at the moment but I am returning, if I may, to Martin Dowling's notes in S&J 29 to which I have already referred. 

There is a good photograph of Bristol RE chassis on the Bath Road in April 1978 on flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/fray_bentos/200198976/. Sorry the photo is not in Reading as Martin remembers them, but it's better than nothing.

A Crossley by Michael Wadman

I think that this is the only Crossley that I’ve ever photographed. It’s certainly the only Crossley that I’ve ever photographed in service. 

Quantock Motor Service’s EVD406 seen at Minehead in 2008. Picture courtesy M. Wadman.

Former Baxter’s of Airdrie Crossley DD42/7 / Scottish Commercial seen above in Minehead on Quantock’s Running Day on 24^th May 2008

Discussion

This weekend I’m programming all of Redline destinations Flip-Dot & LED, would you mind if I
put The Oxford & Chilterns Bus Page on the destinations of our buses and send a picture into you. I have attached a sample which I copied from Hanover edit rough idea of what i will look like. The LED is for our Transbus Dart & MPD Dart 262 (which will be at Showbus in September) and the Flip-Dot for the Marshall Darts.

On Aug 2nd I start with Woottens / Tiger Line  just some casual work Revenue Inspecting.

Digital destination blinds can be changed to interesting words. On Tuesday morning, one was Fish & Chip special, seen again on Thursday evening, and another one was This is a .........bus.     Presumably they have been used to convey some of the many students around at present.

Trips & Rallies

Olympian trip on Saturday 24th July 2010

by Chris Martin

The trip itinerary went as follows;  

1st vehicle was 7209RU (ex C266XEF) which we had West Wycombe to Aylesbury running via the town centre, up Amersham Hill then through Four Ashes, Prestwood and Great Missenden up to the Motts Travel depot in Aylesbury. Motts were very helpful, former Dublin Bus Olympian KSK965 (previously 93D10160) was brought out of the line so we could get great photos of it and similar KSK966 (previously 93D10166) which was next to it. More recent ex Dublin Bus Volvo Olympians 99D491, 99D487 and 99D492 were parked in a row in ex-service condition awaiting preparation for UK use, the fleetlist we were given also showed similar 99D488 which wasn't present. I can forward you a copy of the fleetlist if you would like one, there are 58 vehicles on current fleet strength there. Rare Optare bodied Olympian E153OMD was moved around the yard for us to get pictures and they very kindly agreed to take us on a short ride around the fringe of the town centre on this vehicle during our visit. We then took Heyfordian 7209RU back to High Wycombe running back via Princess Risborough. 

2nd vehicle was 7298RU (ex C265XEF) which we had from West Wycombe to Yarnton via Stokenchurch following the A40 all the way then taking the Oxford Northern bypass. Upon arrival at Yarnton we changed over buses so that we could take a short ride on 7958NU (ex B245NVN) from Yarnton to Oxford for our lunch break. Whilst changing over buses there was a chance to photograph some of the RH Transport fleet including 809 L604NOS, an Olympian recently purchased having been last operated by Stagecoach Lincolnshire entering that fleet when they took over Road Car. 

During the lunch break Confidence, Leicester A502EJF was seen on a private hire duty- quite a lengthy run for such a veteran. The City Sightseeing operation also had Olympians MUI7853 and MUI7854 (previously Dublin Bus 90D1012 and 90D1010) in action along with one Leyland Atlantean. 

After the lunch break we took 7958NU back to Yarnton and then reboarded 7298RU for the journey back to West Wycombe making two photo stops on the way. 

4th vehicle (5th if counting the bonus ride on E153OMD!) was on board 8216FN (ex B253PHN) which we to on a circular route from West Wycombe running via Loudwater, Beaconsfield, Bourne End and Marlow back to West Wycombe. This bus developed problems when idling which may have been due to a fuel blockage or air in the fuel lines, the bus struggled to get power when pulling away after stopping and felt like it was not going to make it- our driver Steve bravely carried on and completed the trip back to West Wycombe without suffering a complete breakdown. 

During our riding at least two Northern Counties bodied Olympians from Carousel were seen in the bus station and various Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympians working for Arriva were seen, at least one each previously in their fleets at Leicester, Luton and Watford. 

As you can see this is the trip from an Olympian point of view, we had 17 passengers on board and I think it fair to say a good day out was had by all. 

From David Fuller

All the new liveried Heyfordian vehicles, I photographed at Yarnton, the other two were at High Wycombe. (I read recently C7 HTL was formerly YC02 CHJ, and it now appears to have black leather seats as well as having been re-registered).  

We visited the Motts depot, and although many of the more modern coaches were in use, I enclose a few taken.

Green Line 80th birthday from Peter Edgar

Attached is a selection of pictures taken at Marble Arch / Bayswater Road celebrating 80 years of Green Line services. 

The event organised by Cobham Bus Museum provided a limited service on route 715 to Cobham Bus Museum, and Guilford using a variety of past, and present vehicles.

Alton from Malcolm Hyland

Hants & Surrey RE Group 1st running day at Alton - Saturday 17th July.

Owning an RE, Steve Warwick and I decided that this event was a must to go to. Initially we thought that we would be a static exhibit but soon we were allocated a diagram to cover a non attendee.

What a superb day it was and it could justifiably have had pub crawl in place of running day as its title. In fact the routes were deliberately devised around real ale inns. Loadings were good all though the day and it was obvious that a lot of people had studied the timetables, which allowed for refreshment stops of adequate length. The routes themselves probably had little to do with old or existing routes, as extensive use was made of one track lanes.

I have attached some photos of our 1644 at some of the pubs together with the other REs there on the day. An ex Trent Leyland National also appeared. Alton station is not the largest of areas for bus use and occasionally the days' service buses got held up behind the REs. There is also a shot of Hampshire Bus 18527, one of those displaced earlier this year from Southdown’s coastal service 700.

At the end of the day the decision was made to repeat the running day next year, hopefully attracting more REs. A note in the diary now is recommended to all.

From David Benyon

Some pictures from the Alton event

The Worthing Bus Rally from Marcus Lapthorn

Photos taken at the Worthing Bus rally on Sunday 25 July 2010.

Buses in the Landscape 

From Keith Shayshutt

Here's a photo I took on Sunday 25 July 2010. It features a Lucketts National Express coach working the 0915 027 from Worthing to London and  is photographed outside the historic former Worthing Dome Coach Station.

Upcoming Events

Hemel Hempstead Running Day - Sunday 15 August 2010

or FROM WEBSITE www.amershammotorbussociety.co.uk 

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.