Sanders Coaches Fleet Update

With things now beginning to settle down at Sanders Coaches, its time for a long overdue fleet update.



Following their entry into service last week, MCV eVoRa bodied Volvos 549 BU26 WTD and 550 BU26 WTE are now both based out of Holt, along with the three Scanias acquired from Mulleys Motorways (326-8 YT11 LPY, YR10 AZT and YR10 AZU)



As a result some cascading of vehicles sees five eVoRas all move from Holt to North Walsham and they are 518-521 B21 OOA-D and 524 BV22 HBN. Moving in the opposite direction are VDL SB200 number 400 YJ64 FWF and Volvo B7RLEs 501 DK09 DZD and 523 SK07 CGG.



The arrival of the three Mulleys Scanias has meant the the withdrawal of the short lived ADL Enviro 200s 409/410 YX63 LJA/C

Lastly, three further vehicles have recently been retired, the first being the final ex Go South Coast Volvo BR7LE 505 HF55 HHA, as well as Scania L94UBs 317/8 YN06 NXS/R.

I am grateful to Liam for the update and photos.

Market Gates Earlier Today

An unusual occasion nowadays where I was able to spend around twenty minutes this afternoon in observing activity at Market Gates in Great Yarmouth. The highlights were a First Eastern Counties Coastal Clipper bus on a Coastlink service and the sighting of an on loan decker.



The Clipper was Volvo B9 37570 AU58 ECT on the 14:25 X11 service from Norwich heading for Belton.



Another B9 was Coastal Red 36282 LX59 DAO picking up passengers on the 8 destined for the James Paget Hospital at Gorleston. It was new to London General as their WVL 915 and moved to First Eastern Counties in November 2022.



The loanee was from First Norwich in the shape of ex Leeds Wright StreetDeck 35287 SL67 VXR on its way to Martham on the 1A route.

Roy

Norwich Friday

Featured here are three sightings from Dan High's observations in Norwich's Castle Meadow earlier today.

The first is of Konectbus ADL Enviro200 273 YX61 DVR destined for Wroxham on the 5B service in its Hedingham colours.

Next up is Smiths Coaches of Blofield's Toyota Caetano Optimo V which was new to Haines of Banstead and acquired by Smiths in October 2017. It is seen passing First Eastern Counties Wright StreetLite 63319 SK55 PWZ

The last photo is another one of Sanders' new MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8RLE 550 BU26 WTE designated for its Coasthopper services.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Norwich Sightings

Some sightings from Dan High earlier today in Norwich's Castle Meadow and the first features Sanders Coaches' 550 BU26 WTE. The new vehicle is a Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evora named Norfolk Navigator.



Out in service today were two First Eastern Counties Volvo B9s which had recently returned from Cornwall following the ceasing of First Kernow operations. They were 36173/5 BD11 CFX/Z.




Also making an appearance was Wright StreetDeck 35197 SK16 GVW. It's the last in Pink Line livery following similar 35194 SK16 GVT being sent away for repowering after its short stint in Great Yarmouth.



My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 11th March 2026

For the second consecutive week the latest East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains no entries regarding any changes to our local bus services. The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

First Eastern Counties Activity

Another coach has been added to the First Eastern Counties fleet in the form of a Plaxton Panther 2 bodied Volvo B9R.

20809 YN62 GXS was previously with First Berkshire & Thames Valley where it operated in railair livery for services to London’s Heathrow Airport. It was observed at Norwich’s Roundtree Way depot this morning.

Also present was another pink driver trainer in Volvo B7RLE 69436 WX59 BYN which was last with First Bristol, Bath & the West.

Concerning local operations, loanee Wright StreetDeck 35199 SK16 GYV has returned to Norwich and open top Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9 37066 CRZ 366 is over the pits for its MOT. Meanwhile, Lowestoft has Volvo B9 36177 BD11CGF on loan from Norwich

My thanks to Steve N for the information.

Roy

Norwich Earlier Today

Dan High reported some workings in Norwich earlier today with the first being Transport Made Simple's (Simonds) ADL Enviro200 9383 MX on the PR2 Harford Park and Ride. It has had a number of previous identities including SK07 HMO and was repainted from its white livery a couple of months or so ago. Simonds had earlier used the plate on a Van Hool bodied Volvo B10M.



Another Park and Ride duty was that of VDL DB250 East Lancs Lowlander YJ56 KCK on the PR3 to Postwick. New to Courtney of Bracknell, it spent six years with Tyrers followed by a brief spell at Lodges, whose livery it retains.



An unusual appearance was that of former First Kernow 36225 BD12 TAV complete with its Doncaster colour scheme. It later worked the First Norwich 13 service.



My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy