News from Oxford, High Wycombe
& the surrounding areas

last updated Saturday, December 5th 1998 - 2200hrs

Only 19 shopping days to Christmas and then we are nearly at the end of another year. What a year it has been, so many new buses; so many changes; news from many quarters and most of all nearly 15000 hits on the Oxford Bus Page since June 1997. I have appreciated your comments, some have been complimentary, some have been constructive but none have been over critical. Thank you one and all, your messages are all very welcome. Its nice to know someone is out there !

Last Sunday I went into Oxford in the late afternoon, having learned that Stagecoach Atlantean would be involved in the "Lights Switch on" in the City. I managed several pictures and a couple are included below. The old girl really looked smart in her new coat of corporate colours most professionally applied by the company's local painter.

Wycombe Bus 231 was back at Oxford during the week for MOT and I took the opportunity to get pictures of this smart Olympian. I also noted 205 in service to Abingdon on 35 road and this also looks very tidy. Many will remember that until recently 205 had a "Park & Ride" front end but when a shortage of City Line deckers occurred it had a Red front applied. In fact talking of Park & Ride, on two occasions last week a P&R bus was seen in Abingdon on 35 road services. This was caused by the A34 roadworks and related road closures which have played havoc with City services and time keeping. Doubtless Cityline controllers had resorted to using a P&R bus on 35 road to maintain services. Also noted on 400 was one of the ex London VNs (Volvo/Plaxton Paladin). It is most unusual to see saloons on the P&R services. Another unusual working today, Saturday, was 609 on 52 road (single door Volvo/Plaxton Verde). 

News of the week was the entry into service on Tuesday 1st December of the TEN brand new M A N 18-220 buses with Alexander ALX300 bodies (932-941) in a striking adaptation of the standard Stagecoach livery.  Bertie Blackbird flies again says the headline and that is just what happened.  Most days during the week saw a goodly compliment of Orange topped M A N s plying their trade between the City and Cowley. On occasions however standard M A Ns including 913 and 915 also saw service on the route.

A formal launch took place at Blackbird Leys Estate and the brochure mail dropped to potential passengers is included in this report.

The change in livery and route for the ex Manchester Volvo B6s previously used on route 1 to Blackbird Leys is recorded in more detail as is the seating changes. All four buses (831-4) have now been repainted at Oxford and one or more of the whole batch is away at any one time having the reseating work carried out. This work is being done in Manchester and to cover for their absence THREE Dart SLFs are being retained. The buses in question appear to be 818, 822 and 823. All the remainder have now been withdrawn are shortly to be on their way to new homes. 813 and 814 have now turned up in Cambridge. (Thanks to Busman for that news, they join 819 and 820).

Revised allocation of Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 saloons 801-829.

Regarding the Dart SLFs, the only ones remaining in Oxford are therefore 802, 818, 822 and 823. 802 is in fact away under repair after some rear end damage in Oxford some months ago.

IN THESE TIMES OF CHANGE SUCH INFORMATION IS REALLY USEFUL   Please let me know of any other arrivals in your area.
(BUSWAYS, CAMBUS, CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER, DEVON AND WESTERN)

Oxford 966 remains at Wycombe.

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to comment on the local scene in an informal way. Please e-mail  Malcolm Crowe with any comments.