News from Oxford, High Wycombe
& the surrounding areas

update Sunday, May 2nd 1999 - 2300hrs

A significant week  saw Saturday morning witnessing the launch of the Tube double deckers in passenger service. We have taken the opportunity to provide a special page to commemorate this event. It was in 1987 that Leyland tigers with Duple Laser bodies launched the original service and 1999 sees the introduction of 27 Jonckheere bodied M A N double decker coaches seating 68 passengers entering service. Six of these impressive coaches have arrived and the service was started with three operating the 9.00, 9.24 and 9.36 departures to London. The first service was sent off in grand style with each "guest" being treated to a glass of champagne or orange juice plus a FREE return ticket. 37, T37BBW was used on the first service as it had what will be the standard vinyl's applied and a livery somewhat different to the first two to arrive, nrs 35 and 36.   38 and 39 are at the garage awaiting application their livery and 40 is being prepared to be the next to enter service.
For a full picture report see Tube launch report.

Oxford Citylink added a bit of variety on Saturday with Airport coach nr 51 operating the 1030 X90 service to Victoria. This is most unusual although X90 branded vehicles have on occasion been to Heathrow on the X70. Oxford Cityline also had some unusual workings with 404, a low floor Dart , more usually on 13 road, operating the 15 road. It is rumoured that the ex London VN Volvos, presently on 4 road, will move to 2 road when the new Volvo B10BLEs arrive for the 52 road. It may not be so surprising that 645 was on 2 road on Saturday.

Oxford Park & Ride 101 was in build at Alexanders last week and so may be expected during the second or third week of May. It will not enter service until May 31st when the   Oxford Transport Strategy Traffic Plan is launched. Road works causing serious congestion continue and many services can be seen operating over unusual routings.

201 has returned to service with the driving school after last weekends outing on 15 road.

On the Stagecoach bus front 527 was operating the X50 Stratford service on Saturday and 941 was having a full rearend advert applied for the Cowley Shopping Centre.

Tube coaches 41-47, all reregistered with VC cherished registrations will leave Oxford on Tuesday next and are destined to work Virgin Rail connecting services in a new special livery.