Open Top Repaint

Zak tells us that the latest repaint to emerge at First Bus Great Yarmouth is former Land’s End Coaster 37796 LX59 CXO in its new First Bus explore livery.

The Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 hasn’t received any local branding allowing it to work as a spare on Norwich’s explore route for the rest of the season and also as back up for Great Yarmouth’s Coastal Clipper Cabriolet service.

It is noticeable that the middle doors have been retained and that First Kernow (First Cornwall) related displays are shown.

We are grateful to Zak for the information and photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 15th July 2026

There are a few entries concerning some local bus services listed in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

Central Connect Transport Limited is introducing two new services from Diss Bus Station from the 19th July 2026. They are the 482 to Bridge Road in Framingham and the 81 to Beccles Old Market which will run Mondays to Saturdays.

First Eastern Counties is cancelling its 931 service between Market Gates Bus Station in Great Yarmouth and Ormiston Venture Academy on Oriel Avenue in Gorleston from 30th August 2026.

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

Roy

Caledonian Duo

A couple of Caledonian Travel branded coaches were observed on Great Yarmouth's Marine Parade this afternoon with the first belonging to Parks of Hamilton.



LSK 615 makes a return visit and is parked in front of the Sealife Centre with the Wheel featuring in the background.



Later on the opposite side of the road was Caledonian Travel's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BV22 WUL.

Roy

UEA Graduation Shuttles 2026

Another year passes by so quickly and this year's University of East Anglia Graduation shuttles were in place this morning.



Again First Ipswich were helping out with some of their Wright StreetDecks on loan in their distinctive Ipswich reds colour scheme.



My thanks to Dan High for the photos of three of them, 35916-8 BN72 TVK-M, at the Costessey Park and Ride site earlier today.



Roy

Sanders Coaches Update

There have been a few things happening at Sanders Coaches since the takeover of Semmence during May.



Liam has provided photos of some of the former Semmence fleet with Sanders of Norfolk branding, including Volvo B9R / Caetano Levantes 937 EHZ 5362 and 935 BF63 ZSK. Also pictured is Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile 934 YN06 RVE



Another of the former Semmence fleet in active service is Volvo B10M / Jonckheere 850 Y176 KCS



Joining Sanders last month was DAF SB4000 Van Hool YJ07 JNO, new to Sanders back in 2007, it’s received its 50th anniversary livery and cherished plate W70 SCL plus fleet number 804.



Former Go South Coast Volvo B7RLE 505 HF54 HHA has been given a short reprieve for the busy summer season.



My thanks to Liam for the information and photos.

Roy

From The Dark Side?

Tony Wilson observed Our Bus Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 517CDi Atlas/EVM Cityline which has been named 'Darth'. He thought it might have something to do with its black livery.

Registered YJ23 CWS, it is pictured outside The Old Forge in Southrepps yesterday on the 13:35 departure of route 33 (North Walsham & Cromer).

It appears to have inherited the black livery when new to Hertfordshire-based Universitybus in 2023 with fleet number 40, ostensibly for the HertsLynx DRT initiative. That did not last long so, therefore, it went on to the second-hand market.

My thanks to Tony for the information and photo..

Roy

One Out, One In

A further withdrawal to report is FirstBus Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37575 AU58 ECZ. The Coastal Clipper liveried bus is seen here at Lowestoft’s Gasworks Road depot were it was based. 

On the positive side, similar 37566 AU58 ECE has been repaired and is now available for service at Lowestoft.

My thanks to Steve N for the information and photo.

Roy