THE GALLERY
Midlands |
 |
Page 1
 |
 |
 |
 One of Thames Transits early Mercedes H109HDV seen on the X39 at Heathrow Bus Station. The service has an interesting history, with its roots in what was once upon a time the longest bus service in the country from Worcester to London. Originally the alternative to the A40 Oxford-London corridor for South Midland coach srvices, the route was via Henley, Maidenhead & Slough. It was the preserve of MW coaches in Thames Valley days of ownership. When City of Oxford took over the service became a bus route, including the daily journey extended via Chipping Norton, Broadway and Evesham to Worcester! Coach MWs gave way to uncomfortable DP AEC Reliances. Thames Transit revitalised the route initially as the 390 using ex Wallace Arnold B10Ms, but then the 'reconversion' to bus operation and termination at Heathrow as the X39 and a fleet of elderly Mercs. When Stagecoach took over they upgraded the service with new ALX Alexander bodied Dart SLFs. Subsequently the service from Oxford was truncated at Henley. |
|
The first Mercedes into the Thames Transit fleet were still in service in their original colours in 2002 - this one is
seen on the X1 to Carterton, pulling out of Glucester Greeen Bus Station in Oxford.
|
|
|
Stagecoach Oxford rapidly replaced the minibuses used by Thames Transit.
Bicester town services were an early conversion to a fleet of Plaxton bodied Darts
transferred from Oxford City routes - this vehicle is seen at Bure Place Bus Station, Bicester
on December 27th 2002.
|
|
|
Late July 98 and Thames Transit Darts could still be seen in central Oxford with virtually no hint
of Stagecoach ownership - 364 (N64KBW)
|
|
|
An appropriate branding was used by Thames Transit for the circuitous 10 service - the Carousel -
complete with fairground ponies on the side!
|
|
|
Midlands |
|
Page 1
|
|
|