Oxford, High Wycombe & surrounding areas

updated - Saturday 25th March 2000

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.

Problems with 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 !

This week saw the launch of a new image for the Oxford Bus Company with Cityline and Citylink brandings being replaced by those seen above. More details of the various launches is seen in the Oxford Bus section but this is seen as a significant move for the company to more positively identify itself with The City of Oxford.

Stagecoach were not to be outdone by events and some competitive rivalry took place between the two companies, during the launch of the Oxford express on Thursday last. Free tickets or discounts were given by each company on it's London services that morning ! 

Cameras have now been fitted at the "traffic gate" on the High Street and of those banned from using the through access, I am advised that persistent offenders will be prosecuted. However, when noted during last week, many vehicles were still ignoring the signs around the city and much more effort is needed by the authorities if the traffic systems are to work as intended.

Apologies for the limited update this week but other activities demand my time ! 

Fleet News week ending 25/3/00

City of Oxford Motor Services.

As mentioned above, the new identity was launched and many coaches and buses will now begin to appear with the logos depicted above. The Volvo B10BLEs are now arriving and 816 joined 819 on Thursday evening. It is thus probable that the 15 road to Wood Farm will be converted to low floor early next week. The only new coach to arrive so far was 19 and this vehicle was used for the new image launch on Thursday 23rd at Gloucester Green.

628 is ready to emerge from the paintshop in full fleet livery with the new logos. I can confirm that Olympians 204 and 207 have indeed gone to Jeff's Coaches.

Stagecoach Oxford.  

Surprise arrival this week has been Dennis Lance demonstrator P452BPH which is on loan. during its stay it is numbered 1200. 

Richard Sharman of Stagecoach Oxford reports that the end of an era is upon us at Oxford as the final Mercs with Reeve Burgess bodies finally come out of service, He drove the last Oxford based one to the disposal yard, this being 327,F764 FDV. Richard says that since Stagecoach take over the large amount of original vehicles have
gone, for example the Ford Transit, once employed here in large numbers is now reduced to one operational vehicle this being 139,D139 PTT which is a publicity unit and now its the original Thames Transit Mercedes turn. The only two Reeve Burgess bodied vehicles still in service till two more Mercs appear from elsewhere are 333, F770FDV and 339, F409 FDV, with 324, F324 EJO staying on as a Staff transport vehicle. 333 & 339 are based at Witney depot. Meanwhile, giving a shock to Tube drivers here is the return of Expressliner 22, J456 FSR, which has come out of store for M.O.T and then for Disposal. He says that all the drivers here thought all the single deck coaches where long gone!.

Vehicles in the disposal yard are-  Tiger 98, LSV 670  Mercs 327, F764FDV  329,F766 FDV  331,F768 FDV & 344,F402 KOD.  Bristol LH 1010,OCA 410P with 3318 AFJ 738T are also present.

Many thanks to Richard for these interesting notes.

Wycombe Bus Company.

Still awaiting delivery to Wycombe are 525 and 529 in Cowley Road. Ex 712 Mercedes has now been sold to a South Wales operator.

I will be pleased to receive your reports for this section
Please send your reports to MalcolmHC@aol.com and thank you for all your sightings, they are most welcome.

  PHOTO CORNER
If anyone else has a digital camera and wishes to submit photos for this page please send them to the above email.

Volvo B10M nr 19 is seen near Stadhampton for publicity photos.

The same coach was used to launch the "express" identity last Thursday at Gloucester Green.
Here Stefan Soanes, the Oxford express Manager is seen unveiling the logo, 
watched by Jon Radley, Marketing Manager and various guests and company executives.

Earlier in the week, an Oxford councillor unveiled the new bus image.
Oxford bus 819 is seen at Wood Farm at 15 road terminus on Tuesday 21st March.

By Thursday evening 816 had joined 819 in the fleet and of interest is the Wrights badge
which will be removed when the logo is applied !

As mentioned in the news above, a Dennis Lance arrived at Stagecoach Oxford
and is seen here numbered 1200 for service in Oxford. 

Unusual performer on National Express 349 last week was this Premier owned
Volvo T400BCL.

A new Bova reg. V10NAT was operating the 739 last Thursday and it seen here 
arriving at Oxford en route to Edinburgh.

 If anyone has any further news please email below.

Malcolmhc@aol.com 

It adds to the interest of the page which I'm sure everyone appreciates.

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

THE OXFORD BUS MUSEUM