I spent the morning in Oxford today.Lots of new kit on show, Stagecoach E400 MMC's in regular livery and Gold colours with no particular route branding.
Since my last visit Oxford bus company have a batch off 66 registration Streetdecks in an attractive black & purple colour on services 300, 400 & 500.
These follow on from the red & pink examples delivered previously Certainly an interesting place to visit.
I had an interview just before Christmas just outside Kidlington, and it certainly made for an interesting comparison. The vehicle I had on the extended 500 was one of Oxford Bus Company's older E400s (an ex Southern Vectis one just on the short service on that occasion) dating from around 2012 - the interior was ratting and rather surprisingly, some of the interior metalwork was showing signs of corrosion already, with some of the window rubbers turning green with slime.
A complete, and very welcome contrast on the return leg back into Oxford saw me use one of Stagecoach's new 66 Plate E400 MMCs. Very Very smart buses indeed! The plug sockets were a very welcome addition and charged faster than the 168 I used last week. Despite my disliking for E-Leather seats, they were comfortable. And the wood effect flooring looked rather smart as well.
I've got to say, and having used one of Winchesters new E300 MMCs the day before, it's nice to see Stagecoach finally catching up with vehicle specifications at last. For many years, the difference between stagecoach and non stagecoach specification vehicles has been noticeable - Dublin or Lothian Olympians v Stagecoach, First's 2012 'Olympia' v Stagecoach vehicles etc, so it's good to see them finally catching up.
If Barnstaple is loosing some of 'The Wave' E400s, Has a batch of MMCs been sent down there then?