Our Bus 271 Covers Gorleston and Caister

Beginning today Our Bus is extending its 271 route to cover parts of Gorleston and Casiter which haven't been served by a bus service since lockdown. The operator's leaflet says that 'together with the local council we have looked to cover routes that have been withdrawn by First Eastern Counties'.

Optare Solo YJ62 FZV returning to Bradwell on the 271 via Shrublands this morning

In Caister Our Bus will serve both Braddock Road and Eastern Avenue to cover First service 4. Whilst in Gorleston it will operate along Long Lane, Kings Road, Crab Lane, Forsythia Road, Almond Road and Oak Road in place of parts of the currently withdrawn service 9

The revised 271 service timings can be viewed HERE

Roy

Newcomer On The Clipper

Following Grahame's post of earlier today, concerning the Norwich loaned vehicles, AaronM managed to get a photo of 32105 LT02 ZCU in Ormesby St Margaret earlier this evening. The Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL was employed on the Coastal Clipper 1 route

My thanks to Aaron for the report and photo

Roy

Lots Of Loans

Yarmouth has seen the arrival of Five vehicles from Norwich on loan this weekend to assist with Vehicle Requirements and Maintenance cover.

First vehicle noted this morning at Caister Road was 32214 LT52WTX which was once a Yarmouth vehicle in its Barbie liveried days.

Another Lilac fronted vehicle here is 32105 LT02ZCU which has had previous spells in Yarmouth also

Former Manchester Volvo B7RLE 66870 MX05CKA was noted working the 8 service this morning seen above in Beatty Road heading for the Town Centre.

Two other vehicles here are former Sheffield Volvo B7RLE'S 69029 SF55UAX and 69031 SF55UAZ.

Ipswich Volvo 66986 KX05MHU also remains here on loan.

Volvo Gemini 37566 AU58ECE is now in service in full Coastal Clipper livery with 37565/567 away for repaint.

Gemini 37563 AU58ECA will return to normal duties from Contract work this monday.

As always many thanks to First for the information.

Stay Safe Grahame.

Friday Flashback ~ August 2009 (Part Three)

This week we conclude our trilogy of looking back to August 2009 with our visit to Bury St Edmunds on the 22nd of the month



Our first picture features Chambers' Marshall bodied Mercedes Benz 811D P236 EJW laying over between duties at the bus station. It was one of a batch new to Travel West Midlands in early 1997. Withdrawn in November 2005 it moved to Chambers via Fleetlink of Mossley Hill a month later. The Suffolk operator disposed of it in March 2010.



Next up is Leyland Olympian H155 PVW having just left the bus station with the 345 service to Haverhill. The Alexander Belfast bodied decker was new to Dublin Bus in May 1991 as 91-D-1094 and acquired by Wiltax, the Surrey rail replacement specialist, in March 2007. It subsequently transferred to Burtons in April of the following year.



Our third subject is Optare Solo MW52 PYU from the Coach Services fleet. Adorned with Thetford Nipper branding, it was new in December 2002 and stayed with operator until sold in mid 2015



The final contribution is Stagecoach East's S587 BCE appearance on St Andrews Street North waiting to turn into the bus station. New to Stagecoach Viscount in November 1998, the Alexander bodied Volvo Olympian later saw use with Judds Travel

Bury St Edmunds always provides a wide cross section of operators and I can't wait to visit again once  lockdown eases.

Roy

New Look For Open Topper

The first of three Open Toppers to be used this summer at Great Yarmouth is due to return today after repaint. Dennis Trident 32905 W905VLN has been at Yarmouth a few summers now and will again be in use but in a new look livery.

It began life as the 'Seasider' in 2016, pictured above on North Drive in that summer.

Here she is pictured in her new livery ready to head back to Caister Road.

The new services will once again see open top vehicles run from Hemsby to Great Yarmouth with some trips taking a journey along the seafront in the town.

Thanks to First for use of the photos today.

Take Care, Grahame.

Service Alterations Registered ~ 7th April 2021

The latest Notices and Proceedings Report, issued today by the East of England Traffic Commissioner, contains nothing of relevance regarding the operation of local area services.

However, of particular interest is the timetable amendment by David McMaster to circular service 1 beginning and ending at Norwich's Castle Meadow from 18th May 2021

The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Bernie's Buses

LiamS provides a quick look at the Bernard Matthews contract workings taking place earlier today

He says that the Great Witchingham run was primarily in the hands of 37567 AU58 ECF and 37570 AU58 ECT but today witnessed the use of former Edinburgh based Barbie liveried Volvo B9 37142 SN57 HDC. The other decker was one of the two surviving blue Excel liveried B9s 37578 AU58 EDJ

The Holton contract has also seen changes with the Presidents and ALX400s now in use with the Volvo B9s returning to Coastal Clipper 1 duties.

My thanks Liam for the information and photos

Roy