THE SHOWBUS LONDON & HOME COUNTIES BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Arriva the Shires Alexander bodied Olympians
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 Some may remember February 2003 when Heathrow Airport was cordoned by tanks. It caused severe disruption to local bus services. At the time First Beeline and Arriva the Shires jointly operated route 74 between Wycombe and Heathrow. The last Arriva bus to Heathrow was delayed by the non arrival of the 74 bus from Heathrow, so Alexander bodied Olympian 5828 (E228CFC), one inherited with Wycombe Bus was pressed into service. It was unusual for Olympians to operate the route, usually the preserve of Arriva's Northern Counties Volvo B6s, including one in a special green and yellow Heathrow livery. The bus is seen here having eventually made it to a gloomy Heathrow Bus Station. Note the all over advert for Wycombe's Swan FM radio station. |
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Olympian 5101 (G651UPP) had spent its whole life at Aylesbury when photographed at Oxford's Headington roundabout in June 2005. Its advert is for Aylesbury's Mix 96 radio station. As can be seen it is heading into Oxford from Aylesbury on the 280.
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 The same bus two years later arriving once more in Oxford and still sporting its Mix 96 ad. |
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Seen in July 2005 is an interesting vehicle with a full wrap all over advert for Uxbridge's Chimes shopping centre. The Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian, 5130 (F747XCS) was new to A1 Service in Ardrossan and was acquired by the Shires in 1995 when it was desparately acquiring vehicles to rejuvenate the fleet. It is seen climbing past Wycombe Railway Station.
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 In February 2007 5130 was back in fleet livery and seen leaving the newly opened Wycombe Bus Station. By the end of the year the bus was withdrawn having had an unfortunate accident with a low bridge. |
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