A visit to Oxford during the late 1980s and 1990s to view the bus and coach scene would always prove fascinating. Rarely would any of the city’s central roads or bus stops be empty as the two main bus operators sought valuable custom. Under National Bus Company ownership incumbent operator City of Oxford Motor Services largely had free reign over city services as well as those to outlying settlements. Leading up to privatisation the city and rural operations were separated, both eventually being sold to local management buy-outs. The government of the time sought, through privatisation, to encourage greater competition and open up the market. This was achieved to varying degrees across the UK with Oxford going on to become one of the shining examples of the process working well. The newly privatised city and rural services would be joined by newcomers Thames Transit led by Harry Blundred (later OBE) who had prior knowledge of the city’s bus operations. Bringing with them a new ethos, together with a large fleet of minibuses, the operation would soon expand, by means of acquisition, to operate a network of services across the county.

Transit Holdings transferred vehicles around its various companies as the need arose or new operations were established. At Carfax in August 1992 working route 3 from Rose Hill was 399 (H790 GTA), a twenty-nine-seat Carlyle-bodied Mercedes-Benz 811D. This dual-purpose vehicle was part of a large batch used by the Group’s ‘Red Admiral’ Portsmouth operation. Fitted with automatic gearboxes they were a significant upgrade for the drivers and passengers compared to the Ford Transits and gave a lively ride. (Author’s collection, Oxford and South Midland Buses, Amberley Publishing)

The competition countered complacency and the established City of Oxford operations were suitably adapted in order to compete. The result was an excellent service being offered to passengers (or customers as they were now called) with high frequency services being operated by modern vehicles and exceptionally low fares. This relatively rapid period of change is detailed in the book, the vehicle types that were used, the varied range of liveries and unorthodox marketing styles.

The Go-Ahead Group was a fond user of the Volvo B10B chassis, and later the B10BLE. Plaxton’s Verde bodywork was also popular with Oxford Bus, which ran forty-three new singleand dual-door examples. Busy route 52 had been upgraded with the type from Leyland Titans by the time of this 18 February 1998 scene. To dual-door configuration, 637 (P637 FFC) is at the railway station terminus where the area would soon undergo redevelopment. (Oxford and South Midland Buses, Amberley Publishing)

Coaching and park & ride operations played a significant part in the city’s transport, with both being the envy of many comparable large towns and cities. Eye-watering frequencies applied to both operations and eventually a 24-hour service was offered on the highly-prized Oxford to London corridor. Views at Gloucester Green are captured at what became a relatively small facility for such an intense operation.

Oxford and South Midland Buses by Matt Cooper is available for purchase now.