First Cornwall To Norwich

With First ending their Cornwall operations yesterday there appears to be a mass exodus of their buses to pastures new.

Bustimes suggests that First Eastern Counties is to receive nine double deckers following closure, with two of them returning to the city. They are all Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TLs comprising 36173/4 (BD11CFX/Y), 36221-7 (BD12VXE/SZY/SZZ/TAU/TAV/TBO/TBU.

Pictured is one of the returnees, 36173 BD11CFX, on Castle Meadow in Norwich during January 2022 heading for Spixworth.

Roy

First Ipswich News

The latest news from First Ipswich concerns the withdrawal of two Wright Eclipse Urban Volvo B7RLEs with both being destined for scrap after being stripped for the retrieval of parts.

The first is Felixstowe Flyers branded 69428 AU58 FFP, observed at the rear of Ipswich depot, whilst the other is similar 69426 AU58 FFN.

My thanks to Will M for the information and photo.

Roy 

First Update

Following its successfull MOT, First Great Yarmouth Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini open top 37065 CRZ 266 has also gone offsite for storage joining the three others mentioned previously. 

Two Coastlink ADL Enviro400s are presently out of use, 33823 YX63 LKN with an electrical issue and 33803 YX63 LJF is about to undergo its MOT.

Meanwhile, First Norwich will be collecting their old 11 plated Volvo B9s from Cornwall on Sunday

My thanks SteveN for the information.

Roy

Norwich Activity

Regular contributor Dan High provides photos of some bus activity in Norwich’s Castle Meadow earlier today.

Passing through was Completely Coach Travel’s Van Hool Astromega double deck coach J29 CCT. New as YJ14 LFS in August 2014 as part of the Oxford Tube fleet, it arrived from Stagecoach West Scotland in June last year. 

Making a rare appearance on the 11A to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital was Wright StreetLite 63318 SK65 PWY - a route mainly worked by a Wright StreetDeck Electroliner.

Many thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Norwich Volvo B7RLEs

A couple of shots from Dan High yesterday from his usual vantage point of Castle Meadow in Norwich City Centre.



He was almost caught unawares as First's Volvo B7RLE 69552 BF12 KWP worked through from the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital to Riverside on the 26. Normally reserved for the Wright StreetDeck Electroliners, it was a rare appearance on the route.

Another Volvo B7RLE working yesterday was Ultraviolet 69545 BF12 KWC destined for the hospital with the 12 from Hoveton. A direct comparison can be made of the two liveries.

My thanks Dan for the photos

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 11th February 2026

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

Last Enviro400 In Service

All four former First Eastern Counties Coastlink double deckers have now entered service with First Essex in their new corporate livery.

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 33806 YX63 LJL is the last to do so and is seen yesterday in Chelmsford on the X30 service to Southend.

My thanks to Dale Bell for the information and photo.

Roy