Barton Mills Surprise

At lunchtime yesterday David Slater was waiting at Fiveways, Barton Mills to see the Flixbus Birmingham-Norwich service pass through and was rewarded by the sight of unregistered First Bus StreetDeck Electroliner on delivery to Norfolk.


The Electroliner was heading eastbound on the A11 eventually destined for First Great Yarmouth. With fleet number 36690 it is to be assigned to First Eastern Counties Buses with the registration BF26 ZVB.


Later he observed Prospect Coaches of Lye, Stourbridge YT71 GHD, an Irizar i6s new in October 2021, working the 0840 Flixbus service 083 from Birmingham to Norwich.



This service commenced on Thursday 7 May 2026 and features just one journey in each direction. Eastbound it departs Birmingham at 0840 travelling via Coventry (0920-0925) and Cambridge (1120-1125) arriving in Norwich at 1255. The westbound journey departs Norwich at 1450 travelling via Cambridge (1620-1625) and Coventry (1820-1825) arriving in Birmingham at 1905.

Prospect Coaches was a Megabus contractor prior to working for Flixbus and this coach had from time to time worked the Megabus service M37 which ran on a similar Birmingham-Norwich route at very similar times.

I'm very grateful to David for the photos and detailed report

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 13th May 2026

Yesterday morning's East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report includes reference to five local services.

First Eastern Counties is to introduce a new 111 service between Lowestoft Bus Station and the Transport Museum on Chapel Road in Carlton Colville. Starting on 26th May 2026 it will operate Monday to Saturday excluding public holidays.
The operator is also to amend the route, start and finish point, stopping places and timetable of its 99A between the Kings Head Southwold and the Co-op store on Saxons Way in Halesworth / St Mary's Street in Bungay from 26th May 2026.

Sunbeam Luxury Coaches has changed the route, start and finish point, stopping places and timetable of its 4A service from Low Street in Sloley to the Waitrose Store in North Walsham from 14th April 2026.

Sanders Coaches is to amend the timetable of its X44/44A /X40/X41 services between Norwich Bus Station and the Station Approach in Sheringham from 24th May 2026.

Halesworth Area Community Transport ceased operating its Sole Bay Health Centre service from 1st February 2026.

The full report can be viewed here soon on the Government’s website.

Roy

First Lowestoft Repaint

Noted for the first time today in the latest First livery was former First Essex Streetlite 47647 SN15AEJ. Seen here entering the Bus Station in Gordon Road.

 Many Thanks to Aaron M for sending the photo over this morning.

Grahame. 

Work Starts On Open Topper

Work has commenced at First's Caister Road depot to return former First South West partial open topper 37796 LX59 CXO to active duty. The Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini is still in its Lands End Coaster livery.



The first of Great Yarmouth's new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners has arrived in town allowing one of the two loaned Norwich examples to return to the city.

My thanks to Steve N for the information

Roy

Mercs At Palm Court

After having lunch with friends, I returned home via Great Yarmouth seafront and found a Bakers Dolphin Mercedes-Benz Tourismo in the car park of the Palm Court Hotel on North Drive.



It was registered OO75 BDT and, naturally, I stopped for a photo opportunity! As I prepared to leave Barnes of Swindon's similar BV74 MYD arrived with passengers alighting for the same hotel.



Roy

Dolphin Repaint

After recently acquiring BMC 220 YK55 AUA from AFSC Limited (operating as Marett's Chariots). Dolphin Travel has treated it to a repaint.



Dan High's photo is attached

Roy

Konectbus In Norwich

Dan High provides photos of two Konectbus vehicles in service in Norwich earlier today. Hedingham liveried ADL Enviro400 602 SN10CFF was working to Potter Heigham on route 2.



ADL Enviro200 270 YX61 BXL is next seen arriving at Castle Meadow with the 5 from Rackheath.



Thanks again to Dan for the photos.

Roy