Latest First News Updated

43859 Pictured at Caister Road shortly after entering service in June 2013 (showing a route it never worked!)

Latest transfers are taking place over this weekend with 43859 EG52FHD moving over to Lowestoft from Yarmouth, 43864 EG52FGA has also followed now its engine problems are sorted out.

Lowestoft Enviro 200's  45116/45117 & 44928 (VT09JPT/ST58JPT/EU08FHB) are also moving up to Norwich.

First South Yorkshire Volvo B10BLE 66112 R912BOU is at Lowestoft as originally reported, 30888 W743DWX remains on loan at Lowestoft from Yarmouth.

Many Thanks to Danny Beales for the Update.

First Volvos head South

60813 S664RNA pictured at the Seashore terminus back in July 2014

Three former Yarmouth Volvo B10BLE Wright Renowns which were recently withdrawn have made their way down to a new home with First Devon & Cornwall.

60813/60814 & 66126 all arrived in Plymouth yesterday to begin another chapter of their working lives. 60813/4 were new to First West Yorkshire whilst 66126 was new to First Hampshire.

They have been replaced at Yarmouth by Norwich Volvo B7L's 66334/66341 & 66344, all were new to First Midlands (Leicester & Northampton).

Early Morning Changes to the 8

First Eastern Counties advises that the first two journeys of the day from Caister to Great Yarmouth and James Paget Hospital are to changed from this Monday (26th January 2015).

The 0614 from Caister will run 10 minutes earlier to Great Yarmouth and then depart Market Gates 13 minutes earlier at 0627 to James Paget Hospital. This is to maintain/improve connections with service X1 to Norwich.

The 0634 from Caister will run at the same time to Great Yarmouth and then depart Market Gates 3 minutes earlier at 0657 to James Paget Hospital.

These changes do not affect Saturday or Sunday services

Local Fleets Magazine Features

Two local operators feature in national bus magazines

The February 2015 issue of Buses includes an article on the history of Anglianbus and its transformation following almost three years of ownership by the Go-Ahead Group. The report mentions that three Tridents are to be replaced by a similar number of refurbished Go-Ahead London Scania OmniDekkas. The article was prepared under the guidance of the since departed Operations Manager Philip Eden

The second local fleet in the news is the little mentioned Marett's Chariots of Aylmerton. The company, ranked as one of the best in Norfolk, is included in today's Route One Magazine. Started in the late 1980's, its acquisition of Bluebird Coaches in 2011 has put the business in the strong position it sees itself today.

Today's issue of Route One can be viewed HERE

Service Alterations Registered ~ 21st January 2015

The latest Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report was published on the Gov.UK website earlier today

Publication No 2197 contains decisions on local operators' licences and changes to local services affecting our area

Licence Revoked
At a Public Inquiry held in Cambridge on 18th November last, the licence held by Ian Trustler and Partners was revoked. Trading as Goldline Taxis at Unit 5A Moor Business Park, Ellough Road Beccles, all bus services operating under licence PF104793 have also been revoked with immediate effect

Application to Vary Existing Services
First Eastern Counties Buses is to amend the timetable of its service 12/12A between Stalham and Wroxham from 22nd February

The complete Notice and Proceedings Report can be viewed on the website by clicking HERE

Norwich Classic Bus Running Day

Sunday 22nd March is a date to place in your diaries and is the day when classic buses run again in the fine city of Norwich.

In attendance will be buses from the collection of the East Anglia Transport Museum, Eastern Transport Collection, Ipswich Transport Museum and private collections. 

Vehicles will cover 1940's to the 1980's on routes around the city and serving the Rail Station

Further information can be obtained by joining the Facebook group especially established for the Running Day

My thanks to 'Reg Vardy' for making me aware of the event 

Postcard From America

One of our occasional contributors spent the new year in Washington

Peter Warner has sent this photo of a Washington Metrobus on its way to the station at...Foggy Bottom! Peter says 'It was taken on New Year's Eve, so I presume the bus eventually made it back out of the fog in time for the New Year celebration later that evening!' Thanks for the photo Peter

Coincidentally there is also a video of the same bus on YouTube which features a ride on the vehicle. This can be accessed by clicking the image on the right

Our US contact in North Carolina, Mick Capon, has provided further information on the bus in the Comments below