Oxford Tube has announced plans to replace and expand its fleet with brand new coaches this summer. The £13 million investment, the biggest ever for Oxford, will introduce 34 brand new coaches and is the first major upgrade for the Oxford Tube service since 26 new vehicles were introduced in July 2014. 

Customers of the premium coach service are set to benefit from the latest in passenger comfort with on board features including wireless and USB charging, reading lights and extendable tables complete with mobile device and cup holders throughout. This, in addition to extra leg room and reclining seats, ensures that the service can continue to offer the best customer experience. 

In addition, the new coaches have been designed to improve the service for those with additional accessibility needs with a more seamless boarding process for wheelchair users. 

Fitted with Euro 6 engines which limit exhaust emissions, the new vehicles demonstrate Oxford Tube’s ongoing commitment to sustainable travel providing an intercity service connecting to many onward destinations and, in a further move to reduce emissions, 5 of the 34 coaches will be fitted with solar panels to deliver greater fuel efficiency. 

The 34 Plaxton Panorama coaches are currently being built in the UK at Alexander Dennis and are due to be introduced into service in the Summer of 2020 and will continue to carry the iconic red branding, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. 

Chris Coleman, Managing Director at Stagecoach in Oxfordshire said "We are extremely excited to be able to share this news with our customers and our staff. Our teams have been working behind the scenes to ensure that every opportunity to enhance the customer experience has been taken. Technology has moved forward so quickly and with the improvements being made to on board messaging and WiFi I am sure that both regular and new customers will be happy that we have taken on board their feedback for the new coaches. 

“The new solar panels are an innovative way to look to other sources of energy to power the on board features and part of our overall strategy to offer more sustainable travel options for our customers.

“This year is proving to be an exciting one for the Oxford Tube. We recently introduced our express link via Baker Street and now we’re investing in a new state of the art fleet.

“The new coaches will offer customers the latest in comfort and design features will make the journey even more comfortable, enjoyable and convenient for those travelling with us.”

Taken at Grangemouth February 26th on School work.

   
E&M Horsburgh ex Lothian Dennis Trident Plaxton President SN53AVV ex Lothian 630,
Volvo B7TL Wright Gemini SN56ABF ex Lothian 761. SN56 ACZ ex Lothian 774.

Blackpool Transport Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 City - SK20AUT third order for this type on a test run on February 28th.

Go Ahead South Coast Alexander Dennis E40D MMC - HF20CUY out on a test run.

Taken Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh on March 1st 2020

First East Scotland Bright Bus Tours - Alexander Dennis Enviro 4000 33500 - LK55KKT ex Metroline TE684.33500 - LK55KKT ex Metroline TE684.
Readers may find this link of interest: https://www.allaboutedinburgh.co.uk/candlemakers-row-grassmarket

New service 720 advertised by Arriva.

Pleased to advise that we have received the latest Arriva Midland/Shires fleet list. Note that two of the new coaches for the Hemel services are now listed. Just click on the link below.

Enthusiast Fleet 4 Mar 20.xlsx

Pictures from contributors.

Gavin Francis

Temsa 7100 arrives in London with a daytime 758 service on March 1st. Still no branding or fleet numbers!

 
Temsa 7102 has now entered service on the 758 as seen on the pictures from March 6th taken in GLCS.

WRIGHTBUSPULSAR (VDL SD) 3797 is seen in High Street, Oxford with a 280 service on March 3rd. Note the destination variation.

 
E400 5459 with a 280 service in Oxford - Of interest is the side advertising for drivers. Taken on February 27th.

Another 280 working, this time it's 5469 again with a further destination variation. Frideswide Square on March 1st.

Malcolm Crowe - Editor pictures taken on February 28th in heavy rain!

In the next issue there will be full details of the new X50 service due to start on March 29th.

Pictures from contributors.

Malcolm Crowe - Editor taken on February 28th.

Thames Travel's 253 branded for the River Rapids is working in Wycombe and seen with  a 36 service.
On the converse 217 has moved to Thames Travel (not 215 as first noted) and has been working the 11 from Oxford to Watlington.
One can imagine that is a surprise to local residents !!
By Thursday, March 5th 253 had returned to Thames Travel and 217 to Carousel

Ex London General 942 is seen leaving the Eden Bus Station with 39 to Totteridge. It still carries its London fleet number on the roof!!!

The Citaros from East Anglia have still not entered service, I am told there is quite a lot of work to carry out before these buses can be used in Carousel service. 

Some interesting snippets from Oxford.

A classic picture of 71, ready for repaint and entry into service from High Wycombe taken by James Freeman.

Pictures from Gavin Francis

Seen with a super rear for Genesis Care, 224 working 2 road by Debenhams on March 3rd.

226 is seen in Magdalen Street East, again with a 2 road working on March 1st.

Hybrid 316 is working a 13 road service in High Street on March 3rd.

 
Volvo 362 is working a 4 road service to Abingdon in New Road on February 27th.
Oxford Castle is in the background on a fine day!!

368 appears often in these pages and is seen with a Wolvercote service on March 1st with a rear view.

MMC 6078 looks very smart and well presented when working a U5 service in High Street on March 3rd.

 
Sister 610 is seen in New Road with a U1 service to Harcourt Hill oon February 27th.

This location always produces "leaning" pictures as seen by 662 working 6 road on March 1st.

Citaro 846 is seen in New Road with a working to Elms Rise on February 27th.

Hybrid 309 is seen in this picture of 2 road services at Magdalen Street on February 28th by Ciaran Bird.

Busy about town! 971 is seen turning into Beaumont Street on March 1st by Gavin Francis.

All electric 2903 is seen leaving the depot late in February to take up work in Oxford  taken by James Freeman.

 
The same bus now in service and seen by Gavin Francis on March 1st at the train station.

204 from the nearside seen at the train station on March 1st by Gavin Francis.

Finally 2059 in Worcester Street and still in green on February 27th by Gavin Francis.
I remember driving this bus as a Park & Ride when new on 300 road!

The transport operator said its bus services in areas such as the West Midlands and Dundee will be fully electric in a decade, with long-distance coaches following suit five years after that.

Shown below are the first batch to enter service with West Midlands. Below that is a picture of one of the first on trial at Falkirk's ADL.