Commonwealth Games Buses

As mentioned in our earlier posts, a number of FirstBus Eastern Counties double-deck buses have temporarily transferred on loan to First Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. Bus Times reports that ten of them have moved across the border including two buses from Great Yarmouth.

Mark Doggett was keeping an eye on activity in the Scottish city and yesterday evening observed Great Yarmouth's Wrightbus StreetDeck 35672 MF22 SYA heading for Scotstoun.

This morning Mark was again on the scene and captured former First Eastern Counties 35163 SK65 PWF now repowered as 71019 MXZ 7673. It now normally operates for First Aberdeen.

Later in the morning a First Norwich vehicle appeared in the form of StreetDeck 35290 SL67 VXU also destined for Scotstoun.

Also the second Great Yarmouth Wright StreetDeck was identified by Mark as 35675 MF22 SYG

I am grateful to Mark for sending his photos for use on the blog.

Roy

Forthcoming Changes ~ Norwich Area

MarkC was browsing Bus Times yesterday and saw that First Eastern Counties are to implement a significant number of changes for the Norwich area at the end of August. He found the following:-

13/X13 discontinued route split between 14 and new route 20
14/14A Continues to Attleborough
15 and 16 Changes to times
20 New route utilises part of 21/A and continues to Spixworth
21/21A, 21A cancelled, route 21 adjusted to 21A route, combines with 20 to provide 4 buses per hour on joint parts of the route
28/29/X29 appears to be at least some timetable changes including earlier and later buses
37/37B cut back to Hellesdon – City Centre 37B Replaced by 38B
38 cut to hourly but now Ives Road to Mulbarton
38A Airport to Mulbarton route mainly that same as 38 south of Fifers Lane
38B Almost Direct replacement for 37B
40/41/X41 services some major changes here even though cut back in May changes abound
40/40A both back to hourly but at a 20/40 minute interval
41 extended to Halesworth
41A Morning and afternoon journeys added
X41 major cuts, cut back to Bungay only one journey from Halesworth going to be mainly evenings only
41/A/X41 now mainly hourly out side the peaks combines with 40/40A to proved 3bph Norwich to Poringland at 20 minute intervals

He also says that it looks like the Turquoise Line may be disappearing.

Many thanks for the information Mark which he confirms has come from Bus Times as First Eastern Counties has yet to post anything but is expected to do so soon.

Roy

Flixbus Outing

Central Connect’s new Flixbus Yutong GT14 YG26 VML is observed in Thetford bus station running the Norwich to London Heathrow 950 service earlier today

My thanks to Jdraves1 for the photo

Roy

Norwich On Thursday

More photos from our regular Norwich contributor Dan High on yesterday's activity at Castle Meadow..

FirstBus Ipswich reds continue to provide city services whilst some Norwich buses are in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. This is their Wrightbus StreetDeck 35919 BN72 TVO on the 13 to Attleborough.

Fortunately Dan managed to get a photo of two Ipswich exiles together with 35915 BN72 TVJ passing on the 28 to Thorpe Marriott while 35917 BN72 TVL is destined for Spixworth.

Another decker getting in on the action was Central Connect 's ADL Enviro400 MMC YX24 PLU on the Konectbus 8 Dereham fast.

Also making an appearance was Sunbeam Luxury Coaches' Plaxton Elite bodied Volvo B9R P27 SUN

My thanks to Dan for providing the photos.

Roy

Green is Go

A couple of green machines were seen by regular contributor Dan High in Norwich yesterday beginning with FirstBus Wright StreetLite 63318 SK65 PWY on its way to Mulbarton on the 37 Purple(!) Line route.

The other was Prospect Coaches' Flixbus liveried Scania K410CB6 / Higer Touring PR73 KRS showing Birmingham 083 as its destination.

Regarding the Commonwealth Games, a  significant number of Norwich FirstBus vehicles have gone to Glasgow including many 22 and 67 plated double-deckers. Hence why so many Ipswich vehicles have remained at Norwich.

Thanks Dan for the photos.

Roy

Still In Norwich

At least three Ipswich reds Wrightbus StreetDecks have been retained in Norwich to work some city services and Dan High got us some photos of the trio yesterday.

FirstBus 35914 BV72 TVF is pictured yesterday eastbound on Castle Meadow with the 37 to Hellesdon.

Next up is 35915 BV72 TVJ on another Hellesdon bound service

The third was 35918 BN72 TVM on First's 38 route to Ives Road

Rumour has it that some double-deckers from the Norwich area are expected to be employed on support services for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this month. Whether that will happen we will just have to wait and see!

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 22nd July 2026

There are changes to some local bus services listed in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

Sunbeam Luxury Coaches of Aylsham is amending the route, stopping places and timetable of its service 3 between Aylsham Market Place and Roys Department Store at Hoveton from 22nd July 2026.

With Sanders Coaches reinstating its use of the Station Approach in Sheringham, it has amended the route, start & finish point, stopping places and timetable of its X44/44A/X40/ X41 routes to Norwich plus the 9/9a service to Fakenham from 19th July 2026. The same amendments have also occurred on the Coasthopper CH1 to Wells-next-the-Sea and the 44 to Holt from the same date.

The complete Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to view here soon.

Roy