News from Oxford, High Wycombe
& the surrounding areas

last updated Sunday, January 17th 1999 - 2000hrs

First, may I apologise for the fact that we did not have a News Page Update last week which was caused by pressure of work (the paid sort !)

Oxford Bus Company are now taking on Part Time Drivers and for those interested, especially those interested in the bus world, this can be a very rewarding occupation. Just call the company on 01865 785426 and ask for Louisa Clarke.

Wycombe Bus will by now have the ex London Country Olympians arriving, the first being 979 and 980 and we include a picture of 979 in this week's news. 976 - TPD108X remains at the Museum site in Long Hanborough awaiting its turn in works.

Stagecoach awaiting delivery of the 28 Volvo B12Ms with Jonckheere double deck coachwork seating 72, advises that the first arrivals will be 34 and 35  S34-35CWL and the whole batch, as yet without remaining registration numbers will be fleet number 34-60. Delivery of 34 is expected in about 2 weeks time. Meanwhile the Tube service has been increased to every TEN minutes during the daytime.

A further initiative is that the Tube has taken over the X50 Stratford-Oxford service and is providing three services per day normally using coach nr 20 which has full destination gear.

Unusual workings have seen Volvo/Plaxton Paladins on route 1 and nr 906 was on this duty on Saturday 16th. In reverse one of the "Orange" M A N s (932-941) was seen on the 100 to Witney over the Christmas holiday period.

On the Oxford Bus scene repainting of the Marshall bodied Darts is now all but complete. Coach nr 5 is near completion after repairs following accident damage. Work is then expected to start on the first batch of Plaxton bodied Volvo buses (601-624) which will be due for their first major overhaul since entering service. An unusual item to note is the use of Park & Ride Olympians on the 35 road to Abingdon. This happened on a number of days during December, when local road works caused major service delays. In order to maintain service the P&R vehicles were thereby used.

An interesting local operator development is that Worth's have introduced a revised funded service between Witney, Charlbury and Chipping Norton. Funding is by Oxfordshire County Council from the new Government Rural Bus Service Grant. To operate the service which ruins Mondays to Saturdays, a new Dennis SLF/Plaxton bodied bus has been purchased. It is registered S2WMS and is in fleet livery. Full details are in a well produced timetable available from the company. Phone number for Worth's is 01608 677322.

We hope you continue to like this news section, which will give us the opportunity to comment on the local scene in an informal way.