News
from Oxford, High Wycombe
& the surrounding areas
last updated Monday, March 29th 1999 - 2300hrs
Phew !! what a week so far. Launches, Traffic congestion, Repaints, Odd Workings, Rain, Sun and some driving, PCV that is.
So lots to report and where to begin ? - THE News Item of the Week has to be the first public viewing of the long awaited M A N Double deck coaches for The Oxford Tube Service. Read on !
You are invited to
GO UP IN THE WORLD
at the launch of the new Oxford Tube
said the
invitation and I duly presented myself at a large white marquee
in the Market Square at Gloucester Green today Monday 29th March at 1230pm.
I think
some people including a small gathering of "gricers" outside this marquee
expected the new coach
to arrive sometime thereafter to be greeted by the assembled invitees. This was not to be
the case.
Inside the marquee we were greeted by the site of the largest piece of black cloth I had
ever seen.
The new coach was obviously under wraps !
CLICK ON THE PHOTO AND ALL WILL BE REVEALED !
....AND AFTERWARDS COME BACK TO THIS PAGE AND CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THE LAUNCH
~~~~~~~
Next news is from Oxford Bus where Volvo/Plaxton Verde 626 is now in for repaint in standard livery complete with the application of a white band between the red and blue. Work is complete on 617 now and it is at work on the X3 road to Abingdon. Next pair for change are 618 to X3 and 627 to general duties.
966 is back from Wycombe and has joined the training fleet for the next few weeks with 201 as mentioned last week. T4 the Willowbrook Warrior bodied Leopard has been reregistered ABW310X , it was VUD33X, see last week news. We include some nice pictures this week of unusual workings plus pictures of types due for early replacement.
The whole city has been in something approaching "chaos" with the OTS (Oxford Transport Strategy) works now taking place. To this end rerouting of inbound Citylink services via the Marston Ferry Road and Banbury Road is quite normal. Major problems have been caused by a "three way" stop system in force at Long Wall just off the Magdalen Bridge. Delays to City services of both companies have been significant and everyone is certainly looking forward to June 1st when things should return to something near normal.
On the Stagecoach front service 7 M A N saloons are often seen in Abingdon on the X33, where they have a through working from Kidlington. to Abingdon during the night hours.
STOP PRESS |
|
Furthest point on regular service for the Oxford Volvo B10M coaches is Gatwick at the end
of the X80.
Here nr 12 takes a rest in the coach park at Gatwick after working the 0600 service from
Oxford
on 27/3/99.
Citylink 61 and ex Shearings Volvo B10M/Plaxton, leaves Oxford bound for London Victoria
on the Midday X90 service on Saturday 27th March 1999. This coach and its four sisters are
being replaced in September by five new Plaxton Excalibur bodied Volvo B10M's.
Park & Ride Olympian 212 on its way to the East of the City at
Thornhill.
It too is due to be replaced in June by Dennis Tridents with Alexander ALX400 bodies.
A fleet of 20 such buses is on order for May/June delivery.
Unusually a Titan was on 2 road on Friday. 970 arrives in Oxford from
Kidlington
on its way to Barton on the east side of the City. 26/3/99
Not far behind and also an unusual stable fellow on 2 road is Dart 510
hotly pursued by
a Stagecoach M A N , another unusual performer for service 27 inbound from Bicester.
More usual haunts for the Marshall Darts is 60 road. Here 514 hurries in
from Wolvercote
having served the Woodstock Road. It is followed by a B10B on 2 road. 26/3/99
Seen en route for Witney, Stagecoach 521 shows off its overall
advertising livery
so far elusive to your Editor's lens from the front !
Another unusual working not so far seen by your Editor was that of an
Olympian on
the Bicester service. Even more surprising was the fact that it was 516, normally
dedicated to the Brookes University contract as seen by the adverts.
To redress the balance on this page, Oxford Bus vs. Stagecoach, I
include a shot of a
blue man, oops sorry M A N on service 7A to Barton. The chassis badging looks nice.
Why not take visit us ?
Our next Open days are May 15th and 16th 1999.
A VR meet was held on the 22nd March 1998 - and you can see photos
of each VR that attended.
The 1999 Photo Report will be included on this site shortly.
We expect to have pictures of nearly all the VRs. that attended.
PHOTOS
ON THIS PAGE WERE TAKEN |
Photo Miscellany
contains updated photos which are added from time to time.
New photos were added on 16/4/98.
Take a look at our picture report from Manchester,
featuring ex-Oxford buses!
Visitors to this News page since 17th March 1998.
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