Editorial

Well, this week is later but that is because there will not be an update, which will only happen during the week of August 26th. I have a hospitalisation next week and so am taking the week off from OCBP !

Your support for the page continues to be excellent, which can be seen from the content of each issue.

As ever we have some great contributions from readers which also include a trip abroad for one lucky chap. 

Marcus Lapthorn visited Switzerland

I spent a very enjoyable few days travelling by rail from the UK to Switzerland and return. It is such a beautiful country where everything is clean and tidy and the air is largely free of pollution. The views from the trains are absolutely stunning, as we crossed many viaducts and bridges.

The role of buses in Swiss public transport

Buses are being used to reach towns without a train station, and for urban transport within larger cities. Travelers rarely get to choose their mode of transport in Switzerland. If you want to travel from A to B, you can fill this out in the bus timetable, and it will show you whether to travel by train, bus, cable car or anything else. If there is a train service connecting two towns, there usually isn't a bus service too.

The Swiss Travel System (www.swisstravelsystem.co.uk) is an interconnected web of trains, boats, cable cars and postal buses that puts almost the entire country within easy car-free reach – and, naturally, with its famous precision you can set your watch by it. The website is a great one-stop shop for passes and tickets.

Tiefencastel

Tiefencastel is a village and a former municipality in the district of Albula in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. On 1 January 2015 the former municipalities of Alvaschein, Mon, Stierva, Tiefencastel, Alvaneu, Brienz/Brinzauls and Surava merged to form the new municipality of Albula/Alvra.

   
All taken at Tiefencastel Banhof.


Image of an advert of a vintage bus now used for tourism. We saw this bus in Tiefencastel.
Odd, how going back many years buses and other road use saw right hand drive vehicles!

Davos

Davos is a town in the Swiss Alps, within the canton of Graubünden. It’s a popular ski resort with a conference center that hosts the annual World Economic Forum. Downhill and cross-country ski areas include Jakobshorn, Pischa, Rinerhorn and Parsenn. Summer activities include swimming and sailing on Lake Davos, hiking and mountain biking. The Glacier Express, a scenic train ride, connects Davos to the Matterhorn.

 
Even if the UK has largely rejected "bendi-buses" Switzerland has not as seen in the second picture above at Davos

Brigg

Brig is an Alpine town in Valais canton, in southern Switzerland. It sits at the foot of the Simplon Pass, which leads to the Italian border. Brig is a stop on the Glacier Express railway and is known for its thermal baths, St. Sebastian Chapel and 17th-century Stockalper Castle. The castle was built by the merchant who developed the pass into a trade route. The Aletsch Glacier and Simplon ski regions are nearby.


 An IVECO Post bus at Brigg.

Chur

Chur is an Alpine city and the capital of the Graubünden canton in eastern Switzerland. Winding streets in the car-free old town lead to the 13th-century, three-naved Cathedral of the Assumption, in the courtyard of the Bishop's Palace. The Brambrüesch aerial cableway ascends to a plateau with trails, panoramic views and winter ski slopes. From Chur, the Bernina Express train crosses the Alps into Italy.


Another artic this at Chur.

Basel

Basel is a city on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland, close to the country’s borders with France and Germany. Its medieval old town centers around Marktplatz, dominated by the 16th-century, red-sandstone Town Hall. Its 12th-century Gothic cathedral has city views, and contains the tomb of the 16th-century Dutch scholar, Erasmus. The city’s university houses some of Erasmus’ works.

If one is travelling from Germany or France by train or car this is often the first really large city in Switzerland. There are even 1st, 2nd and 3rd class dining rooms on the Hauptbanhof!!

 

Sadly the weather for Marcus was not so kind on the days in Basel.

Many thanks to Marcus for this contribution which is a little different from many of our pieces.

David Allen sent pictures of Gloucestershire Vintage Show

Visited Gloucestershire Vintage Show near Cirencester 02/08. Very good show with some buses present. Thought you might like some pictures. Lots of OB’s.

   

   
From the variety one can see that, even with the OBs there was a lot to interest visitors.

Bedford Bus Garage Centenary - August 10th

From Tony Bungay & Gary Seamarks

TB : Something different, Stagecoach East with the Omnibus Society held an open day at Bedford Bus Garage yesterday to celebrate a 100 years of use.

Despite extremely windy conditions as can be seen people braved the delights of riding on the FLF open topper!


Seen here at the Elstow Park and Ride site in company with a single deck Enviro.

The event had a selection of older and more modern vehicles, as well as views of the servicing area and rides through the Bus wash and sales stands

     

 
There were some interesting attendees and the depot provided interest with an ex London E200 cascaded to SC East.

Many thanks to Tony for these pictures which are full of interest.

GS : Few from Saturday, not a massive turn out but of interest, did a stint as Marshall for them as well. 

Sad to see 14000 depart on suspended tow but she has no MOT, could this be her final departure from Bedford, have been told Lathalmond  awaits. The Showbus plaque was from 14000.

  

Final few, the FLF and Scania are seen leaving the depot via the normal exit route under the bridge, in fact they are almost on the former Bedford-Cambridge railway at this point, its a very tight exit but is used by the X5 fleet, whereas 14000 had to leave in effect the 'wrong way' and cross 4 lanes of traffic to gain London Road, a move not advised in busy traffic as you are almost blind on one side and the other side is straight off a busy roundabout.

     
The tight turn mentioned can be seen in two of the pictures above.


Variety at Bedford.

   
The depot was not designed for full height double decks !

Many thanks to Gary for a nice selection of pictures.

Tony Bungay sent some pictures of a similar even in 1981, not a Centenary but when The National Bus Company held sway. The pictures make a nice comparison nearly 30 years ago.

   
At that time the Leyland National was a popular and upcoming type!


An early example of the use of Digital Displays.

ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT THE BUS ARCHIVE

5th Dorchester Vintage Bus and Coach running day by David Gray

All of the photos were at Dorchester Top O' Town Car park except:

     

 

Some of the buses and coaches on display in Dorchester, most from the days of Bristol/ECW buses or coaches.

~~~~~~~~~~ 


KDL203W at Winterbourne Steepleton


ROD765 was photographed at Piddletrenthide


617DDV was at Cerne Abbas car park


A rather unusual but early type of minibus using a light goods chassis.

MRL 765 was an interesting exhibit. I had seen it on a number of occasions at rallies but this was the first time I had seen it in service. I was one of the lucky ones the have a trip around Dorchester. Only six people were allowed to travel at one time.

Many thanks to David Gray with a report from Dorchester. The weather looks to have been kind - not as at this time of writing this issue.

Scottish Citylink's OOR Wullie Buses by Paul Hawkins

 To mark Citylink being the official transport provider to Oor Wullies big bucket trail a public art exhibition in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness with 200 individually decorated Oor Wullie Statues.5 x Citylink Plaxton elite coaches have been given near side designs for the above event designed by local schools in the city's above.2 from Stagecoach,2 from Parks of Hamilton and 1 from Edinburgh Coach Lines


Edinburgh Coach Lines - City Link YR68NKF with a 909 service to Stirling on August 13th.


Parks with City Link's KSK983 on a 900 working showing the livery detail on August 13th.


Stagecoach-CityLink 54363 YX67UPH with a 909 service to Stirling on August 13th.

North of the Border with Gordon Scott

More shots of new Lothian Airlink route 100 attached brighter shots as weather has been rainy and dull since they entered service on Tuesday.


1130 CE - SB19GME taken at Maybury rear shot advert.

Taken August 9th, on a wet summer Edinburgh Festival day latest second hand open topper.


Lothian Edinburgh City Sightseeing full open
topper 256 - LX60DXA Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini ex Go Ahead London Central WVL 370.


Taken at Maybury Edinburgh on Citylink 900
Edinburgh to Glasgow. McLeans of Airdrie Scania N94UB OmniCity ex Lothian 988 SN57MCL.

The picture taken on August 10th.

Taken today at Newhaven Edinburgh Lothian Motorcoach and others with Viking Cruise Ship passengers being picked up welcome to a very wet Edinburgh on August 10th.


Volvo B9R Caetano Levante FJ11MLY.
 One must admit that the Levante looks rather smart!


Border Buses 11801 - YX67UZB Alexander
Dennis Enviro 400 MMC ex Demo repainted into Border Buses livery seen at Galashiels.
The livery is clean and smart. Taken on August 14th.

Since a large number of Scania/OmniCity buses have moved from SC London, I thought readers might find the record below of interest.

Attached Stagecoach East Scotland Aberhill depot based info on ex Stagecoach London Scania N230UB OmniCity as at P3 July 2019.

15021 - LX58 CFM Prepare for service.
15052 - LX09 ACF Prepare for service.
15054 - LX09 ACO Fleet Upgrade reserve.
15058 - LX09 AEC Prepare for service.
15059 - LX09 AED Scrap stripped for parts.
15060 - LX09 AEE Prepare for service.
15061 - LX09 AEF Fleet upgrade reserve.
15063 - LX09 AEJ Scrap stripped for parts.
15066 - LX09 AEM Prepare for service.
15067 - LX09 AEN Prepare for service.
15068 - LX09 AEO Fleet upgrade reserve.
15069 - LX09 AEP Fleet upgrade reserve.
15070 - LX09 AET Prepare for service.
15071 - LX09 AEU Prepare for service.
15072 - LX09 AEV Prepare for service.

Fleet news and developments

One of our readers asks "Why was there A 260 and A 280 between Aylesbury and Oxford but no 270?"

Tony Bungay 

A further bit of variety on Service X60 today with 3845 working the 18.55 journey in Aylesbury High Street, I am sure this is not the first time a photo of this vehicle has been on this webpage!

Previously it would have been on Service 500 when working from Hemel Hempstead, it still carries Hertfordshire logo so can be assumed to be on hire or a transfer. 

Again I assume you know already, but if not Bucks County Council website shows some new services starting in Aylesbury later this month, from the looks of it Arriva’s  woes continue as not one but two to operators appear to be operating competing services on the other one of it’s two town services, it already has Red Rose 7 competing against part of it’s 8 route.

I doubt if there will be sufficiently large enough usage to sustain the increased number of buses, what the outcome will be remains to be seen.

Other pictures of Arriva from Tony


One of the later batch of E200MMCs with Arriva, 3127 is working the X60 with the inevitable paper sticker always used when the blinds are lacking.
The picture was taken in Whitchurch heading to Aylesbury on August 2nd.

 
Nice shots of 3867 with the X60on August 1st.


3874 on the same day, same route, same place!


3877 branded for routes 5/6 MK in Aylesbury heading home on July 30th.

Thanks to Tony Bungay for the pictures above.

Tony Simpson

Tony supplied a couple of pictures of four StreetLites which have arrived at Hemel in recent days.

 
Unbranded when pictured most buses have received lettering now. This was when the buses had recently arrived at Hemel.

I found this a bit surprising as the information I have shows these buses being delivered to Arriva Kent & Thameside!

1665 

 

SM19KJE 

Wt Streetlite DF SA9DSRXXX18141689 

Wt AR362 

B??F 

7/2019 

Arriva Kent Thameside 

1664 

 

SM19KJF 

Wt Streetlite DF SA9DSRXXX18141673 

Wt AR162 

B??F 

7/2019 

Arriva Kent Thameside 

1663 

 

SM19KJJ 

Wt Streetlite DF SA9DSRXXX18141672 

Wt AR161 

B??F 

7/2019 

Arriva Kent Thameside 

1662 

 

SM19KJK 

Wt Streetlite DF SA9DSRXXX18141671 

Wt AR160 

B??F 

7/2019 

Arriva Kent Thameside 

 

Tony adds that 26 more StreetLites to come in the next 4-6 weeks!

Also Tony has sent pictures for the next issue of a trip with 1662 to Harpenden on service 357. 1662 was by this time fully branded.

Adam Green

Pictures from Adam Green show one of the ex Wycombe depot E200MMCs now with Arriva Midlands. It is seen  in Coventry on August 7th.


This pictures shows one a small number of ex Arriva London E200s,
 acquired by Arriva Southern Counties at work in Hemel  on August 6th by Adam Green.
 

At the latest check 941, being converted to single door, had not be received.

Adam Green

 
216 seen in Hemel working forward to Amersham with the 105 on August 7th by Adam Green.


X90 coach 70 is seen at Victoria on August 12th by Gavin Francis.
Currently the X90 and 757 service are using Elizabeth Bridge - as above- whilst road works take place near their stops on Buckingham Palace Road.


A chance picture from James Freeman of the two rail overall adverts passing in St Giles on August 14th.

Acquired with the City Sightseeing business were two elderly Tridents, one of which 2904, was featured last week being used prior to disposal at Osney Island for a theatre production. Jasmmes Freeman has provided three pictures in times past of the bus in question.

   
The three lives of this bus in Oxford as CSS 904 OX-CSS 2904 and withdrawn at the depot. 

Multi million pound investment creates driver demand

Thames Travel has expanded its services in a move to support some of the fastest growing economic areas in Oxfordshire.
Employment hubs such as Didcot, Harwell and Milton Park will be serviced by the scheme.
Other improvements include links between Oxford and Harwell and between Abingdon and Culham. A night bus service has been added between Oxford and Didcot and is due to launch a football special this weekend connecting Didcot and Abingdon.
The expansion also means Thames Travel has moved into a new depot.
The growth comes after a multi-million-pound investment in new services and ultra-low emission (Euro 6) vehicles. New drivers are needed and a series of recruitment open days are hoped to meet that demand.
Phil Southall, Thames Travel Managing Director (MD) says: “A key part of our strategy has been to develop attractive bus services to serve major employment hubs in the south of the county.
“The investment has created more jobs for the Oxfordshire economy, and we are actively seeking drivers to support this growth.”
 


Oxford's nr 60 is seen in Hemel Hempstead with express service 737 on August 15th by Gavin Francis. 


red eagle's FP04CFE is seen in Hemel Hempstead with local service H11 on August 15th by Gavin Francis. 

Tony Bungay 

Redline operates a number of Enviro 400 vehicles, I have only ever seen them working school services, still wearing Metroline fleetname is former TE676 is seen parked up  from a distance in its yard.


Pictured on August 9th.


Red Rose took over the 60 and above is 50505 working the route in Aylesbury on July 30th by Tony Bungay.


E200 50518 is seen with an H10 service in Hemel Hempstead on August 15th by Gavin Francis. 

I read on the Stagecoach UK Enthusiasts page that the new ADL E400 MMC buses for Morecambe are the last to be painted in the current livery. It seems that thereafter further deliveries will be in a new livery or white.

I read on the Stagecoach UK Enthusiasts page that Oxford's 15966 was seen being towed northwards by Kardos on the M1 maybe heading for Rugby? However according to www.bustimes.org  on Sunday August 11th it was in use on the S5 !!!! Update: Some buses from Oxford are being overhauled and MOT'd at Rugby.

SC Banbury will celebrate the Centenary if the depot on October 13th and in preparation 37401 has been repainted into Midland Red colours.

Richard Sharman reports "Banbury's Midland Red heritage liveried Enviro200 MMC 37401 made its inaugural run into Oxford on the morning of Friday 16.08. It operated an X7 in from Banbury and the 08.50 back. No photo I am afraid." 

However Theo Freeman has provided some pictures of the bus on the day it was branded.


37401 repainted and ready for branding on the 13th.


By the 14th it had received branding and is seen in Banbury on its first outing. 

37401 will be attending Buses Festival at Gaydon on Sunday next, August 18th.

Theo Freeman

Banbury are also seen service changes from the 1st of September which include:

A new X4 Banbury to Oxford express in the afternoon (to go with the morning express), leaving Banbury at 15:30 and Oxford at 16:50 Monday - Friday

Route S4 will now have a every 90 minute service on Sundays leaving Banbury at 08:30, 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00 and 17:30. Buses leave Oxford at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30 and 19:00, with an additional trip from Steeple Aston to Banbury at 09:17 (arriving 09:53) and all buses will now serve Tackley and Rousham 

Route 488 will be simplified so that a more consistent, standardised service can run. Route changes include...

Between Chipping Norton and Banbury all buses will run via Over Norton, Great Rollright, Hook Norton, Milcombe and Bloxham. Wiggington and Tadmarton Road will no longer be served. South Newington will only be served by the 489. Timetable changes are that the majority of trips leaving after 08:30 Monday - Friday will leave 20-25 minutes earlier. The 07:55 489 from Banbury will be replaced by a 488 at 07:45 and the 15:15 489 from Chipping Norton School will be a 488 at 15:35. The 08:30 Banbury to Bloxham and the 08:47 Bloxham to Banbury will not run and the 08:41 Milcombe to Banbury plus the 19:05 Banbury to Milcombe will not run.

Route B3 and B9 will have time from certain stops revised to improve reliability.

The open day is October 13th. 37401 is due to come back from repaint on Monday or Tuesday in Midland Red livery.

Gold 15619 on Fairport runs, Witney depot today and 50237 at Gloucester Green

   
15619 is seen at Banbury Rail Station, Cropredy and Great Bourton on August 12th


50237 is seen with 50277 at Gloucester Green on August 12th. 

Scania 15638 in 25 year celebration livery attended the Bedford Garage Centenary event of which pictures can be seen in the piece above.

Marcus Lapthorn

For the first time since 2001, the former 66, now S6 off peak bus timetable is being reduced in frequency from a bus every 15 minutes  to one every 20 minutes.

https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/West/Swindon/2019/S6.pdf 


Now branded 50237 is seen in Gloucester Green on August 12th by Theo Freeman. 

Volvo B9R coaches 53601/02, which have been delicenced since being displaced from Megabus Plus duties with Stagecoach East Midlands at Hull, are currently undergoing engine overhaul at a Volvo dealership.

These coaches started life with Stagecoach East based at Bedford for the X5 Cambridge-Oxford service. 

Smaller operators and London developments

Gavin Francis

 
New E400s for Metroline working route 43 at Archway on August 8th.
I find it surprising to see that feature staircase window is almost always covered by an advert, what a great shame!


One of Premium recently acquired Routemaster open top tour buses on August 12th. 

Jim Wright

Finally managed to catch up with Flix Bus, Plaxton Elite i, ex Polski Bus,WE314KG at the superb new Lodz Fabrynca rail& bus station. The bus station passenger display still said it was a Polski bus service not Flix Bus.

 

Nick Ross

Z & S Dart T305JRH between turns from Aylesbury on the 165 a route Z n S have operated for many years now. Taken in Leighton Buzzard High St on August 7th 2019.

Tony Bungay 


Theobolds BJU13T in Aylesbury on August 1st.  

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