Issue nr. 238
Thursday, February 2nd 2023

Editorial

I hope you will all enjoy this issue which has been delayed due to my recent hospital visit.

There is much to report this week with a brand new double deck in Oxfordshire, news regarding the electric buses for Oxford due in the autumn and an unexpected arrival from  the North East which adds to the news.

Interesting articles feature a new bus for London, new expectations for Reading and some interesting letters from Readers.

Sad news is the passing of a stalwart of The Oxford Museum, Mick Freeman.

As always we have Grahame Wareham's weekly recollections plus Paul Bateson and Newbury in the '90s. 

Metroline to be first to trial Volvo BZL electric double-deck

With the Volvo BZL Electric you get clean, silent and efficient public transport. Our flexible charging concept ensures seamless operation on your current schedule. With our electric buses, services and Volvo as your partner, your city can take the next step in the transformation towards a Zero City. 

Volvo launched its new BZL electric chassis to customers and media in a series of presentations at its UK base in Coventry. The new BZL will be available as a single-deck at lengths of 9-13m, and in double-deck format at 10.3 and 10.9m. The electric double-deck launch is the most significant since Volvo has had its 7900e single-deck available for some time and already has 21 in service in the UK.

The first double-deck to operate in the UK will be a TfL-specification model which will be a fleet seed vehicle with Metroline for 12 months after completing its final testing, preparation and homologation. A second demonstrator is being prepared in a provincial specification.

The first single-deck BZL will operate on the Kent Fastrack as a seed vehicle. Both models have a new body developed by MCV in close cooperation with Volvo and which features an industry first – a CO2 heat pump  with a coefficient of performance ratio of 1:4, meaning it produces 4kW of energy from1kW input.

The London double-deck demonstrator has an 84-passenger capacity, although Volvo Bus UK & Ireland sales director Phil Owen believes that once the production vehicles arrive, this should reach 87 passengers.

The core driveline of the BZL has been derived from the 9700e model. It features a 200kW electric motor and 94kW batteries – the double-deck is likely to have five batteries giving it 470kWh energy storage. The batteries can be recharged in the depot by CCS connection, or configured for opportunity charging if required. 

“The long established and ever more relevant Volvo core values of quality, safety and environmental care are at the heart of shaping a safer, cleaner and more efficient transport in the future,” says Owen. “They are woven into every aspect of the new Volvo BZL Electric and we are extremely excited to be able to introduce this new chassis platform to the UK and Ireland.”

It is 12 years since the first Volvo hybrid double-decks went into service and three years since its electric single-deck 7900e, and it could be argued that Volvo is later than expected in the race to electrification of the double-deck – a keystone vehicle for the UK market – especially since Volvo has been promoting ‘Electromobility’ for some years. But Owen appears relaxed about not being first to market. He suggests there can be advantages in following, and points out that there have been challenges for all manufacturers in meeting London operators’ requirement for a double-deck with at least a 150-mile range.

No orders have yet been announced, but production of the BZL is due to start in week 21 next year with deliveries likely to start in quarter four.

Gavin Francis was in London and happened upon the first demonstrator BZL this week.

       
The bus was on test as it contained weighted bags distributed in the bus as seen in one of the pictures above.
Taken at London Bridge Station on February 1st.

Electric buses on their way for Oxfordshire

The arrival of the 159 electric buses is expected to support a further drop in NOx levels that will help clean up Oxford and Oxfordshire’s air pollution, reduce noise pollution and help make Oxfordshire a net zero carbon county well before 2050.

Oxfordshire was one of only 12 local authorities to successfully apply for ZEBRA funding and is one of the biggest schemes in the country.

Last March, Oxfordshire County Council was awarded £32.8 million from the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.

The first vehicles in a fleet of 159 new battery electric buses are set to arrive in Oxfordshire in September, after an £82.5 million deal was sealed.

All the new buses are being manufactured in the UK and are expected to arrive by March 2024. It will be one of the largest orders outside London and will mean that most services across the Oxford Smartzone will be operated by battery electric buses.

Part-funding for the buses is coming from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme. They will be used on both Oxford city services and the wider Oxfordshire network, Alexander Dennis says.

Along with £6m from the council itself and £43.7m from bus companies Stagecoach and the Go-Ahead Group, which includes the Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, and City Sightseeing Oxford, the scheme will deliver the electric buses and the infrastructure to charge them.

Stagecoach has become the first operator to order the next-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV battery-electric double-decker. It will take 55 for its Oxfordshire operation, with introduction planned from late 2023.

The next-generation Enviro400EV is part of the battery-electric range designed fully in-house by the OEM. All such models come with the Voith Electrical Drive System as well as what Alexander Dennis describes as its “future proof” battery approach. The buses for Stagecoach will have 472kW/h of energy capacity.

 

Confirmation of an order for the 55 Enviro400EV buses follows a recent call for 200 new diesel Enviro400s from Stagecoach.

Engineering Director Sam Greer says that the latest order follows “a positive track record” between the two businesses.

“We look forward to working with Alexander Dennis and our partners in Oxfordshire to roll out these new electric buses as part of the important plans to improve air quality in the region,” Mr Greer adds.

Speaking about the deal, Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director Paul Davies comments: “We are delighted to have our longstanding partner Stagecoach as the launch customer for the next-generation of battery-electric buses, partnering with us to lead the future success of our coach and bus industry.

“This investment keeps funding from the government’s ZEBRA scheme in the country, improving the lives of passengers and residents as well as accelerating decarbonisation.

“Our new Enviro400EV has been uncompromisingly designed to meet the requirements of bus operation in the UK, introducing the latest advances in technology including our future-proof battery system while guaranteeing first-class aftermarket support through the vehicle’s life through AD24.”

The 55 Enviro400EVs for Stagecoach in Oxfordshire will sit alongside 104 battery-electric Wrightbus models for Oxford Bus Company, part-funded via the same ZEBRA bid.

The 55 buses are part-funded by the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme and they will come with 472kW/h of onboard battery capacity 

Following the signing of contracts between the bus companies and the manufacturers, and the council’s approval of trial traffic filters in Oxford to help reduce bus journey times by at least 10 per cent in the city, confirmation of Oxfordshire’s ZEBRA scheme has now been finalised.


Stagecoach West Managing Director Rachel Geliamassi, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy Councillor Duncan Enright,
Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management Councillor Andrew Gant,
and Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses and City Sightseeing Oxford Luke Marion at Redbridge Park and Ride

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “This is a huge boost in the move towards creating a sustainable, decarbonised public transport system, and improving air quality.

“We believe that, along with other schemes proposed in the county, this new fleet of electric buses will transform our public transport system and encourage more people to travel by bus.”

Rachel Geliamassi, Managing Director for Stagecoach West, said: “We're excited to be announcing this major milestone for Oxfordshire, which will be a major step forward in improving air quality across the region. This builds further on the major investment being made by Stagecoach across the country to support the transition to a zero emission bus fleet.

"We look forward to working with our local authority partners on their plans to further decarbonise the city, which will help us to speed up journey times and attract more people out of their cars and on to reliable, sustainable public transport services."

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said: “This ground-breaking plan and significant investment will radically improve air quality in Oxford. We look forward to continuing to work with key partners to deliver this ambitious project, which will make bus travel an even better option for getting around our city."

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “We want to see a better bus network around Britain and that means reliable, affordable, clean buses, and we will do everything possible to decarbonise our transport network and support skilled jobs in next generation bus manufacturing across the UK.

“We’ve already invested hundreds of millions of pounds to kick-start the rollout of zero emission buses nationwide, and it’s great to see Oxfordshire County Council, Stagecoach and Go-Ahead Group making use of our funding to transform its fleet to electric. This move will boost UK manufacturing, drive down emissions and improve bus services for people across the region.”

Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Health and Transport, Oxford City Council, said: “Air pollution is a major cause of poor health in Oxford and cleaning up our bus emissions is an important step towards better air quality for everyone who lives, works, and visits Oxford.

“Buses are a vital part of how many people travel around Oxford, especially the 30 per cent of Oxford residents who do not own a car. Let’s not underestimate the importance of the county’s proposed congestion-busting traffic measures in giving the bus companies the confidence to invest in these electric buses. Hopping on a brand new electric bus, with free Wi-Fi and stop announcements for the partially sighted, will make bus travel a much more attractive option for everyone.

“We are looking forward to seeing these new buses on Oxford’s roads as part of a zero emission bus network. It all helps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and fulfil our aim of cutting the city’s carbon footprint.”

Transport is the largest contributor to nitrogen dioxide (NOx) emissions in Oxford, accounting for two thirds of the total emissions, with both diesel cars and buses contributing to roughly one third of the transport emissions each.

 

 

READING BUSES ANNOUNCE NEW BUS ORDER FOR HEATHROW AND LONDON SERVICES

 

Reading Buses have confirmed an order for seven double deckers compliant with London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers. The Enviro400 buses are for the operator’s high-profile Green Line 702 and 703 services to London and Heathrow Airport.

To meet Reading Buses’ requirement for a stunning and versatile vehicle for longer distance operations, the buses will be the first 11.5m long Enviro400 that Alexander Dennis has built with City-style bodywork. They will feature a glazed staircase, skylights, air chill, wood effect flooring, high back seats with USB and wireless charging, social seating areas and LED mood lighting.

Five of the seven buses will have space to accommodate two wheelchair users, while the other two will have an additional luggage rack for airport journeys. Both versions will have a total of 76 seats.

Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, said: “We are delighted to be placing this order with Alexander Dennis after a full tendering exercise showed the best specification for our customers alongside the best value for money, 24-hour support and lowest carbon impact. We anticipate this order setting a trend for the future as bus patronage continues to recover following the pandemic and look forward to deploying the buses onto our high-profile Green Line services.”

Alexander Dennis Regional Sales Manager, Mark Taylor, commented: “We are pleased to have secured this prestigious order from Reading Buses as the award-winning operator upgrades its iconic Green Line services. Our expertise in tailoring vehicles to operators’ requirements means these will set new standards with a bespoke specification that will enhance passengers’ journeys to and from London and Heathrow Airport. The Reading Buses team will be fully supported around the clock by our comprehensive AD24 aftermarket.” 

Michael Penn

Last Monday there was a BBC television programme about the big freeze of 1963.  I remember that well because it was then that I was looking for a university place so I had interviews at Southampton and Nottingham.  Despite the conditions my father drove me to Southampton but I went by train to Nottingham.  That was particularly memorable because on the way back the train stopped at a signal and the wheels of the last carriage froze to the track.  We were stuck there for some while before someone had the bright idea to uncouple the rear carriage so that the rest of the train could proceed.  Of course I took my camera on these trips and managed a few photos some of which are attached.  I am including another couple of photos taken about the same time. 

On Saturday January 26th we went on a family shopping trip to Slough and I took a few photos in the station area. 


Thames Valley 789 (NBL 746) was an ECW bodied Bristol Lodekka. 

Monday January 28th was my trip to Southampton. 


Southampton Corporation 254 (JOW 927) was a Park Royal bodied Guy Arab UF. 

Interestingly the chassis was built in 1952 but it was not bodied until 1955. 


Hants & Dorset 1403 (UEL 724) was a Bristol Lodekka and is seen passing the Hants & Dorset bus station. 

Friday February 1st was my trip to Nottingham. 


Nottingham City Transport 149 (OTV 149) was a Park Royal bodied AEC Regent III which was in the then new livery. 

There is a good covering of snow on City Square.  


Nottingham City Transport 461 (GTV 661) was a Roe bodied Karrier W4 trolleybus new in 1945. 

It hardly seems to be the right conditions to be training drivers especially as the trolleybuses were only to last another three years.  This was the only time I visited Nottingham while the trolleybuses were running. 

On Saturday February 9th I came across this Blackpool Corporation Burlingham bodied Leyland TS8 (BFR 380) at Uxbridge. 

 
With snow on the ground it seems to be a little optimistic to be selling holidays in Blackpool.  The slogan on the side reads “best by the sea in ’63”. 

Harry Potter

Bit below is through having a look at the state of play in Bedford at the minute, I am sure its not unique to just Bedford.

The MK1 is still a total mess, whoever thought such a route out has no clue of the area. The old 81 Bedford -Luton and 99 Luton Airport-Luton-MK worked fine and needed 2.5 vehicles on the 81, interworked with the 2 (total 4 buses) and the 99 needed 3, the revised MK1 now needs 6 without late running. Watching bustimes their seems to always be at least one late running by up to 45 minutes, some are taking over an hour across Luton, where the route is V shaped, it also has M1 running from J11-J13, both busy junctions at best of times.  

Are we really encouraging people to switch from Cars to Public transport, even with the £2 Single ticket by many operators available at present I have just had a decent look at what's the state of play in Bedford, on routes from out of the town, now lets assume that people need to be at there place of employment/higher education for 09.00, and will be leaving at various times between 16.00 and 18.00. Very few rural routes into Bedford are able to accommdate this without am early departure to town or hanging around after work/education, a few examples are the 41 from Bromham and Biddenham, both now decent sized villages that had a 30 minute service pre-covid, now find the first bus into town is scheduled to arrive at 08.40 with the last 2 departures at 16.20 and 17.50. Another two villages to the north of town Clapham and Oakley while having a decent morning service to town have no departures home between 16.32 and 17.20, then 17.32, 17.40 (Clapham only) then another gap till 18.20 . The new MK1, Bedford-Clophill-Luton-Airport-M1- Milton Keynes is hourly, but the first is not timed to arrive in town until 08.45, having ran dead to MK Station to pick up the 06.00 via the M1 to Luton late running is unavoidable, this also now serves the Bedford Park and Ride, although hourly during the day it has a 17.15 departure, followed by an 18.45 then 19.45. The service from my village to town has 2 arrivals at 07.30 and 09.00.

Watching on bustimes.org and other social media feedback is showing that many services do not arrive into town on time, which for those having to start work/education, sometimes opening shops at 09.00 means they have to find alternative means of getting to work, the same applies in the evening people finishing work need a few minutes to get to the relevant stop, but in the case of some routes up to an hour to get home is not going to entice them away from a car.

For those who wish to use a bus to connect with the London Trains the situation is even worse with only the Uno Services, 50 and 905 available to allow a 09.00 to 17.00 day in London.

Andy Churchill

OXFORD BUS COMPANY

A pair of E200s were to be transferred here from East Yorkshire being it’s 286/287 (YX11CNN/YX11HNT) however 286 will not come to Oxford as it was seriously damaged in the recent Roof collapse at Analby Road depot and has been used as a spares source and will be scrapped but 287 will transfer to Oxford.

 

Scania / E400 215 (DF10OXF) was not withdrawn but simply had a engine rebuild and as back at Carousel in mid-12 /2022 .

Graham Low

On my daily walk near Rose Hill Shops today I saw Thames Travel 942, which has been on the X39/40 all day. It presents a depressing side of Go-Ahead: no fleet name, poor paintwork, still in GA London livery, and unwashed (like all the X39/40s I have seen today, and unlike Oxford Bus all of whose buses that I have seen are clean).  

Like you I wonder why recently-acquired and repainted B9TLs 921-7 are either little used or unused. 

   
Here are views of Thames Travel 927 on Service 45 in Rose Hill today. It is very well presented.
These B9TLs are gradually taking up all-day service now. 


 unlike 942 in the view I sent you a few days ago.

It is interesting to read on a London website that Reading Buses have ordered 7 more ADL E400MMCs, mainly for Green Line work.

https://www.route-one.net/news/autonomous-progress-for-first-bus-and-stagecoach/?utm_
source=routeone&utm_campaign=31e2d1c062-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_01_04_10_48_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-4f76e14d09-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D 

Useful links from Readers

James Freeman

Buses & Coaches around the Midlands

https://www.flickr.com/photos/d1661trains/albums/72177720305582436 

   Obituary  

With sadness 956 AJO on the 28th January. Wearing black ribbons in respect to the buse's late owner Michael (Mick) Freeman. Many people of different generations have enjoyed the experience of travelling on 956 at the Oxford Bus Museum. The museum has been built through many people's dedication over the last 56 years. Michael (Mick) Freeman and his bereaved wife Sheila Freeman, have both played a long part of that dedicated group of volunteers who helped to create the museum for people of all ages and from all over the world to enjoy, learn about and experience Oxford's transport past. 

 
Mick's bus dressed with back ribbons. 


     Fleet News and developments   

Gavin Francis

   
The StreetLites were busy on January 28th.

     
The recently transferred Versas were also busy on the same day.

 
The Citaro fleet is still active as seen above.


The Wrights deckers are also to be seen as with 4217 above.

Jack Cooper

 
The 280 is a well used service as seen by 4401 and 5463 in St Aldates on January 28th. 

Malcolm Crowe


One of the withdrawn Citaros, 3916, at Cressex depot on January 26th.

An interesting change in livery is noted below from two contributors.

Adam Green

   
6528 on January 28th, in Chatham.

Gavin Francis

 
The same bus when based at Hemel Hempstead in 2017-18

Cymru Coastliner

Brand new Arriva Buses Wales Volvo B8RLE - MCV Evora 3184 - BV72KLM is pictured in Bangor depot being used for driver familiarisation prior to entering service. The bus features new technology in the form of rear view cameras in place of conventional mirrors and this is only the second bus I have seen with this feature, the first being Trent Barton ADL Enviro 200 MMC 129.

  

Gavin Francis


The X74 sees a variety of buses with 69401 in Oxford Street on January 28th.

Malcolm Crowe


69401 working the X74 leaves the M40 at Beaconsfield on February 2nd.


SKM

East Yorkshire Enviro 200 287 transferred to Oxford Bus Company on Thursday 26th January. It was due to be joined by 286 but that vehicles was damaged and written-off after part of the depot roof at the Anlaby Road depot in Hull collapsed on top of it. Not sure at this stage if another vehicle will be substituted.

Luke Marion, Managing Director.

The E200 cascaded from EY will be going to Carousel, once repainted and will be fleet number 461. 

The new airline coaches are due in April. 

 

Malcolm Crowe


PMUs at rest, the depot on January 14th.

 
The depot yard on January 28th.


956 seen in the overflow yard on January 28th. This bus appears unused since January 16th. 

Jack Cooper

   
Three Tourismos showing the road dirt on January 23rd.and 28th.


Once a pride of the Airline fleet, 45 is now used for driver training duties on January 25th.

 
201 and 203 working city tours in St Aldates on January 28th.

   
Up in Headington 220 and 309 are working 400 road on January 23rd.


Ex Hybrid 305 in St Aldates with a 35 road working on January 28th.


So the 13 becomes the 35 as seen by 351 in St Aldates on January 28th.

 
365 and 368 n St Aldates on January 28th.

 
Brookes branded 371 and 376 are in St Aldates on January 28th.

 
607 and 608 in Headington working the 100 on January 23rd.

 
Back in St Aldates with 607 and 611 on January 28th.

     
The StreetDecks now serve more routes than when new as P&R buses.

   
The 8 does have variety from time to time seen in January 23rd.


Citaro 841 in St Aldates with an 11X on January 28th. 

Jack Cooper

The new Streetdeck at Thames Travel is numbered 692, LY72CXP. It had entered service on Friday 27th January on the X2. 692 is a Micro Hybrid example, like the 900 series StreetDecks, similar to these, 692 has a dual destination blind layout on the front.  

Volvo B9 923 has seen service this week, being used on the 98 on Thursday 26th January. It was used on the Polar Express service around Christmas last year.  

222 was also used on the ST1 on Friday 27th January, it was later replaced by 453. 


Scania 206 working the X2 on January 24th.


In the dusk 441 is working a 33 to Wallingford on January 24th.


Carousel's 859 is currently working for Thames Travel seen in St Aldates with an X32 on January 28th.


873 leaves Abingdon for Cowley working route 45 on January 24th.

 
15 years age difference separates the age of these two buses, 909 and 934 on January 28th.

pignbob

 
On the 27th, Thames Travel’s new bus 692 appears on the X2. Here it is at Westgate

Lewis Hawkins

Photos of 692, Thames Travel's newest Streetdeck entering service on the 27th January working The X2 To Didcot.

 
692 close up. 

Gavin Francis

 
Laying over with a school working KF52NBN seen in The Eden Bus Station on January 31st.

Jack Cooper


Still with Redline is SW16BUS on January 23rd.


YX10F1EF seen by Brookes Uni working the X20 on January 23rd.

Malcolm Crowe


Redline PL08YLZ seen working the 945 at Stokenchurch on February 2nd. 

Gavin Francis

 
Now and then, YX58DTY is seen with Red Rose working the 40 on January 29th and then the same bus
with Travel London as 8108 at Whyteleafe on August 28th 2013.

 
YX11AEC now working th e 40 in Stokenchurch on January 31st and then with Travel London as 8554 on March 1st 2016.


Another change for the 40, GW16BUS at Stokenchurch on January 28th. 

Tony Bungay


Redline’s X20 branded Enviro 200MMC JW16BUS,  in Aylesbury yesterday 28/1/23 working a journey on Red Rose Service 17 to Bicester!!

These vehicles seem to be more often used on service 130 these days then X20, perhaps inspired by Arriva practice!!! 

 

Marcus Lapthorn

Disappointing to report that Swindon Stagecoach are increasingly replacing  Gold d/ds on the S6 Swindon – Oxford route with old single deckers! Given that the £2 concessionary fare is  aimed at increasing patronage, why cut the S6 capacity? Maybe one of your Swindon based readers may be able to cast some light upon this?

Jack Cooper

 
10431 and 10673 provide capacity for The Leys on January 28th.

 
The 8 sometimes sees a single deck from Stagecoach on January 23rd.

50446 is still away being repainted.

Jack Cooper

     
London Road, Headington hosts various tube coaches on January 23rd.


50433 looks cleaner on January 28th here in St Aldates.


50448 is the only ex Scottish Panoramas presently running in service as seen on January 28th.

     London operations    

Andrew Webb

Adverts for two further brands in the Palladium Hotel Group took to the capital's streets this week. 


London United's LT84 is one of two to carry an advert for TRS Hotels, seen here at the southern end of Westminster Bridge on 28 January. 


The second recipient is Arriva's LT957 which shows off the nearside of the advert whilst taking a break at Marble Arch. 


Also from the Arriva fleet, LT341 has been wrapped for Ushuaia Hotels.  It is seen approaching Whitechapel whilst working route 254.

Fashion brand Boss has also launched a new advert campaign on London Buses. 

The failing light allowing the illuminated lettering to stand out.  From next Saturday (4 February) this exact picture will be a rarity as route 21 is projected beyond its current terminus to Nag's Head in Holloway as part of a package of measures to replace route 271.  

A recent arrival to the Londoner Buses fleet is preserved RM1357 which is on loan for a couple of months.  It has been set to work on the company's Route A linking Waterloo with Piccadilly Circus, complete with period adverts on the side and rear.  The front adverts show the new price for a day ticket on the service.  It is seen at Waterloo on 28 January, its ninth consecutive day in service.

    

After leaving London Transport service the bus spent some time with the Sea Cadets who converted it internally to represent a submarine. 


In this guise it is seen at Romford Garage open day on 13 September 2003.

Paul Bateson


RM1357 seen at Victoria Station April 29th 1986.

Grahame Wareham

238 FWL780Y was new to UK Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), Harwell, Oxon in April 1983 and after eight very leisurely years arrived at Cowley Road Garage Oxford in its blue and grey livery at the end of June 1991. It was repainted into standard OBC livery before entry into service. It found a new lease of daily life operating mainly the longer routes to Aylesbury, Carterton, Reading, Stratford.

   

In October 1995 238 was transferred to Wycombe Bus and was renumbered 1780 then 1827 for a short while but renumbered back to 237.. It also received a retrim in Go-Ahead group standard grey rainbow trim prior to dispatch to High Wycombe.

 

Prior being sold to Hedingham Buses 238 was sold to Weavaway Travel in April 2000 to cover an ex.OBC OCC contract and then sold by OBC directly to Hedingham Buses as their L315 from Weavaway.in September 2000.

In L315 was sold to Qualiti Conversions of Southampton and converted into a children's plays for Junglebuddies of Fareham, Hants in April 2013. It was later sold in 2018 to the owners of Dartmoor Zoo at Sparkwell but has since been located in a yard in the Kent/Surrey area, possibly for resale'. I am told that it needed much remedial work concerning chassis corrosion when it left Junglebuddies and this is probably the reason it has not resurfaced as a mobile vehicle.

   

Paul Bateson

LOOKING BACK THIRTY YEARS 

My series of pictures from 1993 continue with a visit to Newbury on 4th. May.   Quite by chance I arrived at the same rime as the Mayor and other dignitaries were officially opening the new bus station in Newbury. 

 
Maybe some of these people are known by viewers of the Briefing! 

On this day the buses photographed were operated by Reading Transport dba Newbury and District, Stagecoach (South) dba Hampshire Bus and a double-decker from the Thamesdown Transport fleet.  An Optare Delta on demonstrator to Reading Transport was also pictured. 

   
     
     
     
     

This was 30 years ago and I now believe that this bus station has been replaced or relocated.  Viewers comments appreciated!

Many thanks to Paul for these memory tugging pictures.

Dick Dapre

Following on from my Flickr album of contemporary Oxfordshire photos, I have gone back into my archives and dug out a set of photos covering (mainly) City of Oxford/South Midland in the 1970s and 1980s. Here’s the link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dickdapre/albums/72177720305589122

(I haven’t been very selective, so it’s a large album with quite a few similar shots, but I found this easier than choosing what to leave out!) 

In preparing the captions, I looked back at some of my timetables from the 1970s. Despite the losses of many services in rural areas, it’s quite surprising how much more frequent and regular bus services on the main corridors are these days compared with the 1970s, such as Oxford to Wantage, Swindon, Witney, Chipping Norton, Banbury and Bicester. 

Again, I hope this is interesting to you and to followers of the Oxford & Chilterns Bus Page.