News from Oxford
High Wycombe & the surrounding areas

update Sunday 17th October 1999 by Malcolm Crowe

Please note that any comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way constitute 
any official points of view from the bus companies mentioned,  or indeed any other official body. 
As a news page we reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of view.

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The pictures ! - sometimes it seems that the pictures do not load.
I have found a solution which does work normally - 
RIGHT CLICK ON THE PICTURE AND THEN CLICK ON "SHOW PICTURE"
Good luck !

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Saturday dawned fine and sunny, a true "Indian Summer", as the expression goes ! My Oxford Bus duty this week was a full duty on 300 road with three buses, 103 to start, then 105 and finally 116. All were in fine fettle and I had a most enjoyable day. Several journeys were very well loaded and whilst traversing Castle Street, it was good to see the police out in full force, enforcing the bus only restrictions at last ! The centre of the city, including the High Street and St Aldates were noticeably quieter than usual.  Oxford Bus fielded two Olympians on 400 road on Saturday, 208 and 214. It was quite like old times until one of the new Dennis Tridents came along !  You will remember from last week, that OBC had reinstated these two Leylands to help out on 4 and 35 roads during the week.

My picture above shows what a beautiful day it was !

Work is now well in hand on the ten ex London Central Darts, for Wycombe Bus, with the first in line being 524. The exterior is all but done, the major alteration to the windscreen being the only item left to complete. It is intended that they will have a flat screen in place the present recessed one. 524 looked very smart indeed when I caught up with it in the paintshop on Saturday morning. The interior has yet to be fitted and so it will be a week or more before it is ready for its new home. Its front will also look somewhat different to the picture below !

It seems that all 10 Darts have now arrived, with various one around works in varying states of preparation. We will keep you posted on developments. They are scheduled to replace Leyland National II's and maybe some Mercedes minis.

An interesting working on Saturday by OBC was that of 633 on 16 road, normally the haunt of the older Darts. It is seen below entering Queen Street.

Finally on the Oxford Bus front I include a picture of 782 on 61 road, the Jericho-City service which is due to withdrawn on the last Saturday of October. Thames Travel will then operate an extension of the X39 Henley Express through to Jericho. A most interesting development. It seems that this will spell the end for the Metroriders in regular service, leaving 781 as a Training/Staff bus.

On the Stagecoach front I include a picture of 714, one of the latest Darts to arrive from London. Very few dual door Darts are now left in Oxford, with those remaining said to be due to leave for London in due course.

Another interesting working occurred on Saturday when Volvo.NC 907 was seen operating the 105 to Wallingford. This route is normally served by Darts or newer M A N s. 907 is seen below in St Aldates waiting to depart.

Finally this week, I include a picture of a Charlton Services Leyland Tiger on the 108 serving Asda at Wheatley. Charlton, as shown before, really do turn their coaches out in very fine style, probably the best in Oxfordshire. I am not sure which one this is since it is re-registered. Normally an ex Oxford Citylink vehicle (from the AxxxMUD batch) is used on this service. Present registration is JJI 3618. The interior has been retrimmed. Any info.  Guys ?

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You can still view 
the Tube launch report  
and 
the Oxford Bus P&R Trident launch - Dateline Tuesday June 1st 1999  
Click above

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THE OXFORD BUS MUSEUM