Editorial

Following on from last week's issue it has been sad to learn that three people were killed in the head on smash on the M40 when a 4x4 and caravan drove the wrong way down the fast lane of the northbound M40. Our thoughts must go to the families of the deceased. It does do to show how dangerous motorways can be. Also the delays and congestion caused must have upset many travellers.

The work towards producing a viable electric powered bus continues and I am sure a number of models will be on display at the upcoming Coach & bus show in the NEC at the end of this month. I have an operation scheduled for October 30th so would appreciate pictures and small report from anyone who does attend.

ADL IMPROVES VISIBILITY WITH CAMERAS IN PLACE OF MIRRORS

 

     
Pictures courtesy ADL

 

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), Britain’s leading bus manufacturer, has delivered the first Enviro buses with high-definition digital cameras and interior displays instead of traditional mirrors. The SmartVision system improves visibility and reduces the risk of accidents.
The view from the SmartVision cameras is digitally processed to compensate for lighting, shadows or glare while it is transmitted to the displays, which are mounted inside the cab to eliminate reflections from windows.

The system offers the driver a normal mirror view at the top of the monitor and a wide angle view in the lower half. Screen brightness adjusts automatically to give excellent visibility day and night. The offside display is mounted on the A pillar, with the nearside display located centrally to avoid obstruction by an open door. The placement in similar locations to normal mirrors allows drivers to adjust easily. In addition to improved visibility for drivers, operators benefit from reduced risk of mirror damage or injury to passengers or pedestrians, potentially saving up to £25,000 per bus.

A reduction in aerodynamic resistance is additionally expected to deliver a small fuel economy benefit, especially at higher speeds.

SmartVision maintains image quality in all conditions. Software removes any distortion from rain drops or dirt on the lens, while an optional camera heater clears ice or fogging.
SmartVision is an internationally proven technology supplied by French company Vision-Systems through its UK distributor 21st Century Technology. It is mounted during vehicle assembly and fully supported by ADL’s best-in-class Aftermarket network. It is fully VCA certified for both the Enviro200 single decker and Enviro400 double decker.

First Glasgow and trentbarton have become the first operators to use the system. One Enviro400 for Glasgow’s service 75 is equipped with SmartVision, as is one Enviro200 for the i4 route in Nottingham. 

Now as a driver with many years experience mirrors of this quality are long overdue. Anyone who has driven a large vehicle on the motorway or in towns will know how difficult it can be on occasion to see what is behind and on your nearside, there thinking of cyclists. This innovation should significantly improve the drivers working environment.

 STAGECOACH MIDLANDS UPGRADES LUXURY BUSES

Stagecoach has announced a £3.1 million investment in 13 brand new luxury Stagecoach Gold double deck buses for their route X4 services between Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, Oundle and Peterborough. 

The new gold vehicles come fully loaded with features such as USB charging points, free Wi-Fi, leather seats and environmentally friendly Euro 6 engines.

Buses in Kettering, Corby and Northampton are also now fitted with contactless payment technology to accept transactions of up to £30. 

Stagecoach run the X4 service, 7 days a week between Northampton and Peterborough, with buses running up to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday.  The service covers over 1 million kilometres a year; further than travelling to the moon and back. There are over 1.3 million passenger trips made on the X4 every year; that's enough people to fill Wembley stadium over 14 times.

In the last 5 years Stagecoach has invested over £7.4 million in new buses for Northamptonshire. The new buses were launched in Kettering town centre on the October 17th, giving Stagecoach Midlands present and future passengers a chance to explore the new vehicles.

Phil Medlicott MD for Stagecoach Midlands said "We are thrilled to be introducing 13 brand new Stagecoach Gold vehicles to one of our most popular routes. £3.1 million represents a substantial investment to the route and our Northamptonshire network. With added features such as USB charging and free WiFi we hope these vehicles will go a long way to encourage people out of their cars"

 
Pictures courtesy Stagecoach Midlands.

Ian Field takes the trophies in Bus Driver of the Year

https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/ian-field-takes-trophies/

It was fifth time lucky for Stagecoach East Scotland driver Ian Field as he took the title at the 52nd annual Bus Driver of the Year event in Blackpool.

Previously, he had always finished in the top 20 and entered in 2018 for the first time after a four-year break, seeing it as, “a good year to reapply and see what happens.”

Ian, 39, has been based at the Stagecoach depot in St. Andrews, Fife for more than ten years, where his normal driving duties are varied although often include the depot’s flagship route, the 99 to Dundee that is allocated fairly new ADL Enviro 200 MMCs.

His steed for the competition could not have been more different; the Wrightbus New Routemaster provided by RATP. Coincidentally, part of one of his awards includes the opportunity to drive a New Routemaster in London.

As well as the BDoY Trophy sponsored by the Road Operators’ Safety Council, Ian took home the Unite the Union award, the John Boxall Medallion as national champion (John founded Bus Driver of the Year in Coventry in 1967), the highest placed finalist from Stagecoach award and the best competitor from a depot in Scotland award accompanied by the Joe Mackie Shield. His prize money of £4600 also included the ROSCO award for the highest placed driver from a ROSCO member company and he also receives a TfL sponsored break in London.

I remember competing in BDoY a few years ago and can assure readers it is not an easy challenge. I didn't come anywhere in the placing's! Ed.

Paul Hubbert visit Ibiza

I thought a few pictures on this popular holiday destination would interest readers and make a welcome change as the nights draw in.

 
https://eivissa.tib.org/en/autobus

   
https://www.ibiza.sagales.com/en

A Citaro in Palma de Majorca by Les Burton

a company that serves all residents

In 2015, EMT-Palma transported more than 39 million passengers, covering 12,772,286 kilometres with a network consisting of 31 bus routes in the municipalities of Palma, Llucmajor, Marratxí and Calvià. 

This was possible thanks to the following factors:

Its own staff of 670 transport professionals, the majority of whom are drivers with a fleet comprising 180 buses. 


Municipal de Palma - http://www.emtpalma.cat/en/route/-/L/14/son-ferriol

 

The aim of the Majorcan Transport Consortium (CTM) is to coordinate financial, technical and administrative cooperation between the authorities and public and private bodies that are members so that their responsibilities in the field of organising and managing scheduled public transport for travellers are carried out jointly and in a coordinated manner.


https://www.tib.org/en/web/ctm/autobus/linia/500 

AMERSHAM & CHESHAM RUNNING DAY by John Horsman

The new base at Chesham Broadway and good weather this year made for an excellent running day


RML2412 at Chesham Broadway having arrived from Ley Hill


MB90 at Chesham Broadway having arrived from Windsor


RLH48 at Rickmansworth station having arrived from Chesham Broadway


AN262 at Chesham Broadway having arrived from Gerrards Cross (Packhorse)


RF406 at Buckland Common having arrived from Chesham Broadway.
Red RFs were allocated to Amersham Garage for a couple of short periods and it is possible that one could have appeared on this route.


RT3491 and RML2456 at Chesham Broadway


T792 at The Lee


BN45 at The Lee

Lowland Bristol VR visits the Oxford Bus Museum

October 12th 2018 and NDL656R makes a stop at the Oxford Bus Museum on the way to the Isle of Wight. The two buses are actually painted on the roller shutter door, picture provided by Jim Crichton

 

Fleet News

 


BUSES IN THE LANDSCAPE - 3839 KE53NFC on route 8 near Wendover on October 16th by Nick Ross.

Les Burton sent a great picture of an unusual bus with Arriva North East Temsa 4726 YJ11GHG, this fleet being at Redcar.


Picture at Whitby Bus Station by Les Burton.

Pictureview


Green Line 7011 with a 757 working heads over Elizabeth Bridge, VICTORIA on October 19th by Gavin Francis.


At Cressex 6002 is resting on October 20th by Malcolm Crowe.


A gathering of DAFs at Cressex with 6003, 6310 (now elderly) and 6004 at rest on October 20th by Malcolm Crowe.


Cressex with withdrawn and partially cannibalised  4518. 6301 and 6300 on October 20th by Malcolm Crowe. 

 

The company has published the latest allocations list at the under mentioned link

Carousel Buses Fleet List


Buses in the Landscape - Carousel line 40 heads west out of Stokenchurch on September 28th by Malcolm Crowe.

From Sunday 28th October 2018, changes will be made to the X90 Oxford - London service timetable. We’ll also be introducing some affordable fares, and a brand new advance booking portal!
Find out more: 

https://x90.oxfordbus.co.uk/news-service-updates/october-2018/


81 working the X90 heads across Elizabeth Bridge at VICTORIA on October 18th by Gavin Francis.
With the reductions in service, mentioned above, are the days of these coaches numbered.

Extract from Notices & Proceedings.

Operating between SEACOURT Car Park and THORNHILL Car Park given service number 400 effective from 03 November 2018. To amend Timetable.

The company has published the latest allocations list at the under mentioned link

Oxford Fleet List

Next is information received from Phil Southall, with our thanks, regarding the current developments.

Phil Southall, MD of Oxford Bus Company writes "201 is now back from H+D Trim and should be entering service this week to release 2903 to go away to Magtec to be converted to electric. 202 is now at Hants & Dorset trim and 203 and 204 will follow in quick succession. 205 is still in the OBC fleet and part of the Brookes fleet covering for the removal of the Flywheel systems from 601 to 614 that are going away to ADL one at a time. 203 and 204 are 'float' vehicles until they go away for conversion to open top and may be used at any of our companies. 

368 is now also in an overall white based advert for Prostate Cancer and should be hitting the road shortly. This is to raise awareness of this important issue amongst our predominantly male workforce and will appear at rallies next year.

Citaros 869 and 870 are also float vehicles and may appear with anyone of the Oxford group companies. 

Also, to correct your last newsletter, we only have two additional PICKMEUP vehicles coming (not four) and they are due on November 5th. They will be EVM bodied Mercedes to a higher specification than the six we have currently."

I am sure many of you will appreciate the information direct from Phil.

Brookes had an open day on Saturday, October 20th and a special service was run from Thornhill Park & Ride to cope with the extra passengers.


MMC red 603 with a U1X working in St Clements on October 20th by Gavin Francis.

Pictureview


303 with a 4A passing through the roadworks at Carfax on October 14th by Gavin Francis.


Park & Ride 680 with a 400 working passing through the roadworks at Carfax on October 14th by Gavin Francis.


 Wrap 367 with a number 8 passes Queens Lane on September 29th by Jack Cooper.


657 with a number 5 at the Station on September 29th by Jack Cooper.


CSS 2058 (once Oxford's 110) passes Queens Lane on September 29th by Jack Cooper. 

The company has published the latest allocations list at the under mentioned link

Thames Travel Fleet List


Common use Citaro 870, at present with Thames Travel, with a 250 working in Magdalen Street East on October 19th by Gavin Francis.


Ex Carousel 214, now with Thames Travel is seen on a T1 working on September 29th by Jack Cooper.


Heyfordian OU17OTF in Beaumont Street, Oxford on October 19th by Gavin Francis.


Horseman of Royal Berkshire's RX12HNU heading towards Reading on September 28th by Malcolm Crowe.

Further to pictures in the last issue, the following new coaches are being delivered to National Express.

BF68LBX  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LBY  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LBZ  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LCA  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LCZ  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDA  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDC  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDD  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDE  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDJ  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDK  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDL  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDN  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 
BF68LDO  Sca K410EB6   Co   C59FLt  10/2018  National Express 

It is not known if all these coaches are for Stansted or spread throughout the group?

BF68LBJ  Vo B11RT YV3T2U821JA189694  Co F183043024  C56FLt  9/2018  Park, Hamilton 
BF68LBL  Vo B11RT YV3T2U823JA189695  Co F183043025  C56FLt  9/2018  Park, Hamilton 
BF68LBN  Vo B11RT YV3T2U825JA189696  Co F183043026  C56FLt  9/2018  Park, Hamilton 
BF68LBO  Vo B11RT YV3T2U829JA189717  Co F183043027  C56FLt  9/2018  Park, Hamilton 
BF68LBP  Vo B11RT YV3T2U825JA189729  Co F183043028  C56FLt  9/2018  Park, Hamilton 
BF68LBU  Vo B11RT YV3T2U826JA189769  Co F183043029  C56FLt  9/2018  Park, Hamilton 
BF68LBV  Vo B11RT YV3T2U822JA189770  Co F183043030  C56FLt  9/2018  Park, Hamilton 

Another 68 plate coach seen by Gavin Francis was one from Parks new fleet of Volvos, BF68LBO, as seen below. Note that these coaches are only 56 seaters unlike the National Express ones which are 59 seaters!


Parks BF68LBO resting by Elizabeth Bridge at VICTORIA on October 18th by Gavin Francis.


Parks BF68LBV with a 561 working on Elizabeth Bridge, VICTORIA, the date October 19th by Gavin Francis.


Edwards BV66WPK with an 040 working heads across Elizabeth Bridge, VICTORIA on October 18th by Gavin Francis.


Start Hill's SH201 BN64FKO with an A7 resting by Elizabeth Bridge at VICTORIA on October 18th by Gavin Francis.


Bournemouth's Yellow Coaches 333 FJ61EWD with an 035 working by Elizabeth Bridge VICTORIA on October 18th by Gavin Francis.

Extract from Notices & Proceedings.

Operating between Slough and Cippenham given service number 5 / 5 effective from 29 October 2018. To amend Timetable.

Operating between Central Reading and Mereoak P&R given service number 53 / 53 / 53a / 53x / 53b effective from 29 October 2018. To amend Timetable. 

Following on from my remarks about school buses Gavin Francis has provided pictures of some of the buses which serve Stokenchurch.


New to Tates of Barnsley, YX10TAT in 2010, this bus is the regular on the 28 to Ibstone, seen on October 16th.
Mostly school children use this term time Ibstone service. 

Following on from my remarks about school buses Gavin Francis has provided more pictures of some of the buses which serve Stokenchurch.


X458KUT new to Hill of Wolverhampton in  September 2000 now often working school services. Seen on October 17th in Stokenchurch.


Dart KF52NBM new to Universitybus, Hatfield in 2002 now seen on October 16th in Stokenchurch working route 655.


Ex London Central Volvo PVL234 is now with Redline and is a regular on the 643 to Stokenchurch seen on October 16th. 

in Oxfordshire


MMC 10435 with a 1 through the roadworks at Carfax on October 14th by Gavin Francis.


By the 19th 10435 was working the S3 seen by Gavin Francis.


10438 with a 1 heading through the roadworks at Carfax on October 14th by Gavin Francis.


10669 with a 3 heading through the roadworks at Carfax on October 14th by Gavin Francis.


Gold 10789 with an S9 heading through the roadworks at Carfax on October 14th by Gavin Francis.

Merseyside & South Lancashire


53290 works new route X5 from Liverpool to Widnes taken by Barry McGuire. The picture is nicely framed by The Liver Building.

Midlands

A start has now been made on repainting the five East Lancs-bodied Scanias here (15401-05) out of Corby Star livery. Now back at Kettering and in service in corporate livery is 15401. Once completed no operational vehicles will carry Corby Star livery and the use of the brand name, launched in 2004, will come to an end.

The first batch of Gold-spec Scania/Enviro 400s displaced by new Gold-spec Enviro 400MMC, on the X4 Northampton-Kettering-Peterborough route are expected to leave here imminently for Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire.

Gold-Spec Optare Solo SRs 47967-71 have been confirmed as having moved from Leamington to Stagecoach South Wales and further, in exchange 36483/44/45/50 and already reported 37169 are at Leamington.


New Gold 11129 with an X4 working by SKM.

West


WEST's 10993, S6 branded in Oxford on September 29th by Jack Cooper.


Still with the tube 50237 is seen at Queens Lane on September 29th by Jack Cooper.


50262 passes through the roadworks at Carfax on October 14th by Gavin. Francis.


50270 awaits departure from Oxford on a night service on October 18th by Gavin Francis.


A surprise to Gavin Francis was this advert on a cash machine in Oxford.

From Mike Lewis

"Further to your excellent pages on the oxford chiltern bus page, the ex Oxford Tube coaches with Andrews of Foxton, they are:-

50202 new as T44UBE is now     P25MBC,
50203 new as T50UBE is now     JAZ4960,
50205 new as T60UBE is now     P26MBC,
50207 new as OU09FMZ is now P24MBC
50208 new as OU09FNA is now P27MBC.

From James Freeman

As seen on the M34 Portsmouth to Newcastle megabus service on October 18th.


Very new 54606 waits time on a northbound M34 on October 16th by James Freeman.

54601  YX68UAJ  Vo B11RT YV3T2U822KA192945  Pn   C??FLt  10/2018  Western 
54602  YX68UAK  Vo B11RT   Pn   C??FLt  10/2018  Midland Red (South) 
54603  YX68UAL  Vo B11RT YV3T2U82XKA192983  Pn   C??FLt  10/2018  Western 
54604  YX68UAM  Vo B11RT   Pn   C??FLt  10/2018  Midland Red (South) 
54605  YX68UAN  Vo B11RT   Pn   C??FLt  10/2018  Midland Red (South) 
54606  YX68UAO  Vo B11RT   Pn   C??FLt  10/2018  Midland Red (South) 
54607  YX68UAP  Vo B11RT   Pn   C??FLt  /2018  Midland Red (South) 
54608  YX68UAR  Vo B11RT   Pn   C??FLt  10/2018  Midland Red (South) 
54609  YX68UAS  Vo B11RT   Pn   C??FLt  10/2018  Midland Red (South) 
54610  YX68UAT  Vo B11RT   Pn   C??FLt  /2018  Midland Red (South) 

Gavin Francis writes "Megabus 54202 was parked in Bullied Way tonight repainted in dark blue but with no branding. Maybe with the arrival of the new coaches it is being stood down from Megabus work."


Megabus 54202 heads along BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD, VICTORIA on April 13th 2015 by Gavin Francis.


Megabus 54272 with the M12 heading along Elizabeth Bridge, VICTORIA on October 18th by Gavin Francis.


South Gloucester's SG34 left hand drive Van Hool, once 55012, near VCS on October 18th by Gavin Francis. 

More London Wraps

 
Abellio LT616 with wrap FORCE, and LT780 with wrap Spider-man passing BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD on October 19th by Gavin Francis.