New Heritage Liveried Bus

A new heritage liveried vehicle has entered service with First Eastern Counties. One of the recently arrived saloons has received Eastern Counties colours.

It was seen by Ashleybus on the 36A service in Norwich this afternoon

My thanks to Ashley for the photo

Roy

Latest Arrivals

This evening two First Ipswich Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7Tls arrived at Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot following their transfer from the Suffolk town.

They are 32653 AU05 MUV and 32654 AU05MUW which are pictured inside the depot earlier. A third decker, 32681 AU53 HJY, is also said to be on its way.

Also previously unreported is the arrival of the first of a batch of ex Go Ahead London Volvo B9TL / Gemini 2s. LX59 DAA is seen over the pits tonight being prepared for entry into service.

My thanks to First for the information and photos

Update:

32481 AU53 HJY was later swapped with 32492 AU53 HKK on Friday afternoon (30th September)

Roy

Early Foursome

A tour around the usual spots in Great Yarmouth earlier this morning yielded a total of four coaches.



The first sighting was of a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo with the cherished registration K28 JCT. Operated by Johnston Coaches of Rugeley in Staffordshire, it was new to Glen Valley Tours of Wooler, Northumberland as BU18 YNM.

Next up was Van Hool Alicron BIB 3994 from the Bibby's of Ingleton fleet. It was previously registered YJ14 CBY

Finally, at Beach Coach Station there were two regular visitors - Alfa Travel's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BV20 HNB and Gee-Vee Travel's VDL GT16 GVT.

Roy

Second Ex Wessex Saloon In Service

Ex First Hampshire and Dorset Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7RLE 69548 BF12 KWJ was Dan High's transport home late yesterday afternoon



This is the second former First Wessex bus remaining in Norwich and it was employed on the 28 to Thorpe Marriott.

My thanks to Dan for the photo.

Roy

Another Goes

Another former First Manchester Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 has been taken out of service by First Great Yarmouth. New to First York (Rider) in January 2002, 30959 YJ51 RCO arrived here from Manchester in May 2018.

This leaves just two B7TL/ALX400s in service in the shape of 30960 YJ51 RDU and 30964 YJ51 RAU which were both in use this morning.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 28th September 2022

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains just two items of local interest.

High Suffolk Community Transport has registered a new first Saturday of the month service linking Eye Road, Kenton to Hamblin Road in Woodbridge via Framlingham. The service commences from 1st November 2022.

First Eastern Counties has amended the timetable of its 36/36A Horsford and Long Stratton / Harleston service from 12th September 2022.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed HERE SOON

Roy

Rail Replacement East Midlands Railway

Whilst Omar Atiallah was at Norwich Station at the weekend he also observed coaches in use on East Midlands Railway rail replacement between Norwich and Peterborough.

Among them were two from Tates Coaches of Luton, two from Angie's Tours and one each from Bland's of Stamford and Simonds of Botesdale.

Tates were using Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BU16 GZP and Scania/Caetano BX65 WBT and Angie's Tours supplied Volvo B11RT P31 PJO and Mercedes-Benz Tourismo X25 PTS.

Bland's Coaches Volvo B9R XIL 7321 and Simonds Volvo B8R YX68 UCA also made an appearance.

My thanks again go to Omar for the information and photos.

Roy