Updatesanim.gif (2487 bytes)

www.buszone.co.uk

August 2006

< Last Month | Updates Archive | Next Month >

| Site Last Updated: 19-09-06 |

29-08-06:

  • News Page: Front photo of 518 added. Thanks to Paul Hilton for this.
  • Reading Transport Fleet List: An unregistered Scania OmniLink demonstrator arrived in Reading on 21st for use on driver familiarisation duties for Thames Valley Park and Vodafone drivers. The Reading OmniCitys are now expected in the UK in early September to enter service later that month. The Newbury examples are still on schedule for entry into service on 2nd October, and will wear an overall red livery with extensive Vodafone vinyls. 514 transferred to Newbury on 23rd, but has not yet entered service. 632 appears to see service on the Theale Vodafone contract when Reading is short of vehicles. Thanks to Brian Coney for this.
  • Reading Transport Former Vehicle Fleet List: 504 now appears to have been last used on 28th July (not 29th June), with 509 confirmed on 8th August. 502/4/9 departed on 21st or 22nd August. Thanks to Brian Coney for this.
  • Reading Transport MegaRears: Excel 930 has a new MegaRear for Reading Borough Council RACC and TEA Shop. Thanks to Brian Coney for this and the photo.
  • First Berkshire Fleet List: 60165 and 60168 have also arrived from Manchester. 60219 is reported to be B43F instead of B40F. 64810-9 are likely to be withdrawn soon. Thanks to Brian Coney for this.

27-08-06:

  • News Page: New Livery for Newbury Buses with photo of 518. Thanks to Paul Hilton for this.

24-08-06:

  • News Page: Influx for First Berkshire from Manchester with photo of 60166. Thanks to Mat Wooll for this.
  • First Berkshire Fleet List: 60163, 60164, 60167 and 60219 were collected from Manchester on 18th. 60166 had entered service by today. Thanks to Mat Wooll for this.

23-08-06:

  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: Leamington training vehicle 20401 arrived on loan to Oxford today, 32626 will return to reserve at Banbury with 32625. 32625/6 are however to be used at Witney on 29th to allow two B10Ms to go to help cover the South West Trains strike. Oxford will provide a third B10M.

22-08-06:

21-08-06:

  • Stewarts of Mortimer Fleet List: The coach fleet has now been allocated fleet numbers M1-8 and D1-3, with BU51 AYB renumbered M3 from M10. Thanks to John Wheeler for this.
  • Weavaway Travel Fleet List: OIL 4201 has been repainted purple. Thanks to Derek Bradfield for this.
  • Woodley Travel Fleet List: PIL 5408 was sold to Ayres, Kenshott in February. New in July was Scania / Berkhof W12 SCC from Siesta Holidays, Middlesbrough. Thanks to Derek Bradfield for this.
  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: Rugby 14374 has been withdrawn for disposal, with reserve 14386 also now for disposal along with 14932/37/44. Nuneaton 14515/6 have been withdrawn and put into store. Nuneaton 52645 has now transferred away, but to Peterborough rather than Cambridge as previously reported. Oxford Lynx 29615 is also confirmed in use, meaning that it is only the eldest Lynx 29108 which is actually off the road.

20-08-06:

19-08-06:

  • News Page: Something a Little Different with photos of E471 SON and SJI 2765
  • Thames Travel Fleet List: 651 still has Oxford Science Park branding
  • Woodley Travel Fleet List: A recent addition to the fleet is Neoplan Skyliner SJI 2765
  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: 29127 is the Oxford Lynx which remains in use. Route 7 MANs 22913, 29915, 22916 and 22926 have been fitted with new LED displays, whilst 22923 (which was fitted with a front LED display over three years ago) has had its side and rear units upgraded to match. Further vehicles are expected to be converted in the coming weeks. These vehicles have also recently been repainted, and have had their seats retrimmed in the latest moquette.

17-08-06:

  • Reading Transport Fleet List: 502, 504 and 509 remain in storage at Reading, evidently not having been collected as planned. Thanks to Derek Bradfield for this. 942 has returned to service. Thanks to Richard Aldous for this.
  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: Withdrawn Witney Dart 32626 has been temporarily reinstated to Oxford for use on driver training duties whilst two of the Lynxes are off the road - one has been out of use long term.

13-08-06:

12-08-06:

  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: 52645 is to move to Cambridge next week to help cover a new contract there. Nuneaton 14516 is also to be withdrawn when 14032/4 enter service, and Leamington 14517 may also depart. New Darts are reported to be expected for route X17 in Leamington next month. Thanks to Tim Moss for this.

11-08-06:

  • Reading Area Bus Routes: A new Sunday service is being added to route 9 from 3rd September, and timetable improvements are being made to the X40 from 1st October
  • Reading Transport MegaRears: New photo of rear on 704 added
  • Oxford Area Bus Routes: Minor corrections made and Oxford football services added
  • Oxford Bus Company Fleet List: 612 has also been sold to Birmingham Coach Company
  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: 13608 and 14023/6/8 have now all arrived at Rugby whilst 31328/30 have transferred from Leamington to Nuneaton as expected. 14023 is still in the old livery. Nuneaton 14515 is to be withdrawn when 14032/4 enter service. The arrival of 13611 at Rugby was during July. 13626 has been re-seated to CH53/29Ft from CH53/39Ft. Thanks to Tim Moss for this.

10-08-06:

  • Reading Transport Fleet List: 509 was withdrawn and transferred to Reading on 8th. 502, 504 and 509 are scheduled to depart for Ensign tomorrow. 942 has returned from a period away for accident damage repairs, and appears to have been repainted into plain cream and maroon. Thanks to Brian Coney for this.
  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: New arrivals 14032/4 transferred from Rugby to Nuneaton today. Thanks to Tim Moss for this.

09-08-06:

  • First Berkshire Fleet List: Fourteen cascaded Scania L94UB / Wright Access Flolines are expected shortly to improve operations in Berkshire. The first two have arrived at Bracknell - 60162 and 60166 from Manchester. Thanks to Mat Wooll for this.
  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: 13611 has transferred from London to Rugby for Megabus work, and 13608 is expected shortly after a period on loan to Preston. 14937 has been withdrawn. Thanks to Tim Moss for this.

08-08-06:

  • Thames Travel Fleet List: 451, 847, 848, 972, 973 have been withdrawn following recent arrivals and service changes. 847 has been sold and departed on 5th and 848 has gone away for repaint and is for sale. 451, 972 and 973 are awaiting collection by Dawson Rentals. Meanwhile 155 was actually destroyed by the fire/accident last week and so will not return to service. Also 305, 465, 564, 725 all departed a few months ago without note. 67, 104 and probably 651 have lost their Oxford Science Park Branding. Thanks Ralph Adams for this.
  • Oxford Bus Company Fleet List: 412 has been sold to Birmingham Coach Company, whilst Volvo B10B 646 has returned to Oxford converted into a training bus and numbered 963 to replace Lynx 971 which has been withdrawn.

05-08-06:

  • Reading Transport Fleet List: 504 was withdrawn on 28th July and moved to Reading on 29th. 517 transferred to Newbury the same day and entered service in full Reading Buses livery. 509 remains in service at Newbury today whilst 514 receives attention at Reading before transfer. Delivery of new Scanias OmniCitys 1-5 has been slightly delayed, and so they won't now enter service on 7th as planned. Thanks to Brian Coney for this.
  • Reading Route 17 MegaRears: New photo of rear of 814 added to complete the collection
  • Horseman Coaches Fleet List: N669/670/672/673 VJB have been re-instated for service. Thanks to Derek Bradfield for this.
  • Stewarts of Mortimer Fleet List: BU51 AYB has been named Rachael. Thanks to John Wheeler for this.
  • Thames Travel Fleet List: 155 was badly damaged by fire following an accident near Woodcote on 30th June.
  • Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Fleet List: 40163 has returned to service at Leamington. 14932 and 14944 have been withdrawn from Rugby and are in store at Leamington following the arrival at Rugby of 14032/4 from Northampton. 34626/41/4 all received Primeline 48 branding last month. Thanks to Tim Moss for this.

02-08-06:

  • Horseman Coaches Fleet List: An order for 20 new Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panthers has been announced, this being the company's largest ever order of new vehicles in its 33 year history - the previous largest order was for 10. All will feature air conditioning, but with a variety of seating layouts. Delivery commenced with RX06 WVA-E in April, and should be completed later in the summer. Thanks to Coach and Bus Week magazine for this.
  • Reading Transport Fleet List: 473 and 475 received new MegaRears for The Ant Bully at the end of July replacing their rears for Directline.com
  • Reading Transport MegaRears: New photos of rears on 473 and 475 added

< Last Month | Updates Archive | Next Month >