Stagecoach Oxfordshire

Stagecoach in Oxfordshire is the name given to Stagecoach Group bus operations in the county of Oxfordshire, England. It used to be part of Stagecoach South Midlands along with Stagecoach in Warwickshire until March 2004.

Operation
Stagecoach South Midlands operated under three different brands:


 * The Oxford Tube brand, used for express buses between Oxford and London.
 * The Stagecoach in Banbury brand, used for local buses in and around the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire.
 * The Stagecoach in Oxford brand, used for local buses in and around the city of Oxford.

From 1 July 2002, the Oxford and Banbury brands were merged to become Stagecoach in Oxfordshire. Then from 1 March 2004 Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Stagecoach in Warwickshire were split to become two entirely separate divisions of Stagecoach Group.

The local buses in Oxford operate in fierce competition with local buses operated by the Oxford Bus Company. Oxford is one of the few UK cities where such free and unsubsidised competition (as envisaged by the architects of bus deregulation in the 1980s) still exists. Similarly the Oxford Tube coaches compete with the Oxford Bus Company's Espress service. This unusual level of both service and competition is facilitated by Oxford's status as a prestigious university city, lack of car parking spaces in the city centre, and the consequent large numbers of young, affluent but car-less inhabitants.

Stagecoach in Oxfordshire operates four sub-brands, namely: Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Oxford Tube, Brookesbus (for local buses serving the campuses of Oxford Brookes University), and a National Express franchise from Oxford to Luton and Stansted airports (737).

Oxford Tube
The Oxford Tube currently operates a fleet of 25 Neoplan Skyliner double decker coaches, with free Wi-Fi internet access and 240V mains power points on board every coach. With departures up to every 10 minutes, the service begins at Gloucester Green coach station in Oxford City Centre, then stops at Queens Lane, St Clements, Brookes University, Headington Shops, Green Road Roundabout, Thornhill Park & Ride, Lewknor Turn, Hillingdon, Shepherd's Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Marble Arch, and finally two stops at Victoria.

There are three express services on Monday to Friday at 0600, 0624, and 0700: these services do not stop at Lewknor, Hillingdon, Shepherd's Bush or Notting Hill Gate. A complimentary breakfast is served on board from Oxford on Monday to Friday between 0540 to 0700.

History
Stagecoach South Midlands was created from Midland Red (South) Ltd and Thames Transit Ltd, both companies acquired by the Stagecoach Group. Legally these companies still exist, with buses in Warwickshire and Banbury still carrying legal lettering for Midland Red (South) Ltd, whilst buses in Oxford (including the Oxford Tube) and Witney are legally lettered for Thames Transit Ltd.

Depots
In Oxfordshire:
 * Banbury, Canal Street
 * Oxford, Horspath Road
 * Witney, Corn Street

Also, Oxford depot has out-stations at Bicester, Chipping Norton and Harwell.

In Warwickshire:
 * Leamington Spa, Station Approach
 * Nuneaton, Newtown Road
 * Rugby, Railway Terrace
 * Stratford-upon-Avon, Avenue Farm