Ralph Adams has given a resume of the latest allocation list from Oxfordshire. Ralph writes "This months fleet card has now arrived and combined with last month, the following movements have occurred."

Oxford movements

Vehicles In:       10779-88  (10 buses)

10787 is seen at Woodstock on the new route 7 on January 11th by Graham Low.

Banbury 34467/72 Darts and 36448 E200 still in use

Stagecoach - where are they now?

Many of you will remember the Scania/Caetano coaches used by Stagecoach Oxford when operating the National Express 737 service to Luton and Stansted. The following information my be of interest.

Ex SCO with West Coast Motors, Campletown - near the Mull of Kintyre in Argyll, Scotland. - web: http://www.westcoastmotors.co.uk

10705 J70WCM Scania K340EB4  Caetano Levante C49FLT new to Stagecoach Oxford in 2006 then to Yorkshire Traction(SY) fleet number 59211 acquired by WCM Jul-14 (FJ56OBY) based West Coast Motors Oban depot

10706 J80WCM Scania K340EB4  Caetano Levante C49FLT new to Stagecoach Oxford in 2006 then to Yorkshire Traction(SY) fleet number 59214 acquired by WCM Jul-14 (FJ56OCB) based West Coast Motors Dunoon depot

It would be nice to have some pictures of these coaches in their new homes. Can anyone assist?

Smugmug has a picture of J70WCM at this link : https://malsfotofile.smugmug.com/keyword/bowmans/i-DWJD6Mh/A

and of FJ56OCB at this link : https://malsfotofile.smugmug.com/keyword/bowmans/i-gDL4RXp/A

and a delightful picture taken at Loch Fyne Oysters in full West Coast livery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/westcoaster99/16631246324

SC Oxford Pictureview

Somewhat off route, Gold S5 dedicated 15758 works a 7 duty on January 29th caught in the lens of Gavin Francis.

Added luxury for the residents of Blackbird Leys - Gold 15934 on a 1 service in High St Oxford on January 16thg by Gavin Francis.

New Gold 10785 works the 7 loading in Oxford on January 8th by Malcolm Crowe.

Non Gold 10441 works an S5 turn to Bicester on January 9th seen by Richard Sharman.

10780 waits time near the Randolph Hotel on January 9th seen by Richard Sharman. This stop is used by southbound Megabus services on the M34 route.

Still with Oxford is Hybrid flagship 12001 seen here on the 10 rounding Carfax Corner on January 9th seen by Richard Sharman.

Stagecoach in and around the Midlands and East.

East seem to be having problems with their tri-axle Volvos and as such the older two axle Volvos are often seen on the X5.
Unusually 53613, now branded for the 99 service from Milton Keynes to Luton Airport was pressed into service on February 6th by Gavin Francis.

Stagecoach West (Swindon)

Tim Hall wrote "Heading your way on the 66, the 1115 from Swindon is 22745 ex Aldershot MAN Enviro 300 but at least it is Gold !!"

Dave Russell and Deric Pemberton wrote "Have just been reading your update about Stagecoach West and your confusion over Stroud Service 66. 

Stagecoach West operate two service 66's. Swindon operates one (Swindon to Oxford) and Stroud operates the other (Stroud to Gloucester via Stonehouse). The Stroud route is due to convert to Gold operation from 22/01/2017 using the 10 Gold MAN/E300 transferred from Stagecoach South.  

On the same date, Service 63 (Forest Green to Gloucester via Nailsworth & Stroud) and Service 97/98 (Gloucester to Cheltenham via Churchdown) are also due to convert to Gold operation using the 12 Scania/E400 displaced from Cheltenham by their new Gold ADL/E400MMC."

Thanks to those Guys for correcting my understanding of the 66. At least one is from Swindon and the other from Stroud!! 

The service continues as always but on a Saturday a maximum turnout needs a minimum of 22 coaches so just occasionally when an unexpected breakdown occurs it can result in the use of a Gold Bus kept at Oxford for use when the need arises.

15966 on a Tube working having just arrived from London on February 11th taken by Malcolm Crowe.

 
The Gold bus was soon on its way back to London helping to maintain the service on February 11th taken by Malcolm Crowe.

Diversions can and do occur, one of the most used is via Baker Street when there are problems with the route via
Shepherds Bush and Notting Hill Gate.
Above we see one such diversion with a full service waiting to turn into Baker Street on July 3rd 2016 and caught in the lens of Richard Griffin.

It appears that 50209, now with Stagecoach Western is withdrawn from service. I have been unable to find out why?

Stephen le Bras writes "I was surprised to see the stop press item about Flixbus dropping Megabus. Has this been resolved as Stagecoach were in dispute with their former European drivers over redundancy?"

Sorry Stephen I don't have the answer to that one. Ed.

West Coast Motors recently acquired

SV59CGG VH TD927 YE2927SD358D53422 VH 53422 CH63/24DT Sep-09 ex Western Buses (SW) 50227 Dec-16
SV59CGK VH TD927 YE2927SD358D53423 VH 53423 CH63/24DT Sep-09 ex Western Buses (SW) 50228 Dec-16
SV10DDK VH TD927 YE2927SD358D53825 VH 53825 CH63/24DT May-10 ex Western Buses (SW) 50231 Dec-16

Details and pictures of these coaches in service with West Coast are awaited.

As mentioned above Flixbus has terminated the contract with Megabus to operate services from London to Europe recently taken over. The change is from April Gavin Francis has provided a few pictures of recent "Flixbus" operations.

Megabus 55006 with "Flixbus" vinyls by VCS on January 24th taken by Gavin Francis.

Megabus 55012 in VCS bound for Nottingham on February 3rd by Gavin Francis.

Megabus Plaxton 55024 on the ME2 to Amsterdam outside VCs on February 2nd taken by Gavin Francis.

One wonder what will happen to these left hand drive coaches when the European operations cease?

A few more UK operations were also provided by Gavin.

Megabus 50243 and 54204 near VCS on January 27th by Gavin Francis.

Starting its long journey to Aberdeen via the West route is 50250, "Zippy" on  January 27th by Gavin Francis.

From the other side of the Atlantic. 

 
Paul Bateson sent pictures of a USA Megabus, North East DD 077, which having been sold out of service has just entered service in Toronto as a Sightseeing Bus.
I must say that livery is striking. Ed.