THE SHWBUS UK MIDLANDS BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Thames Transit
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 One of Thames Transits early Mercedes 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 services, the route was via Henley, Maidenhead & Slough. It was the preserve of MW coaches in Thames Valley's 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! Bristol MW coaches gave way to uncomfortable dual purpose bus bodied AEC Reliances. Thames Transit revitalised the route initially as the 390 using ex Wallace Arnold Volvo B10M coaches, but then followed the 'reconversion' to bus operation and termination at Heathrow as the X39 with a fleet of elderly Mercedes minibuses. This one was new to Red Admiral in Portsmouth as 408 (H109EDV), a Carlyle bodied 811D. When Stagecoach took over they upgraded the service with new Alexander ALX200 bodied Dart SLF buses. Subsequently the service from Oxford was truncated at Henley and passed to Thames Travel. |
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The first Mercedes into the Thames Transit fleet were still in service in their original colours in 2002 - this one, 355 (G831UDV), another Carlyle bodied 811D, is seen on the X1 to Carterton, pulling out of Gloucester Greeen Bus Station in Oxford.
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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, 3033 (M84WBW), is seen at Bure Place Bus Station, Bicester on December 27th 2002.
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Late July 98 and Thames Transit Darts could still be seen in central Oxford with virtually no hint of Stagecoach ownership - 364 (N64KBW).
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An appropriate branding was used by Thames Transit for the circuitous 10 service - the Carousel - complete with fairground ponies on the side!
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