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

Vertas Visit

During this afternoon a coach from Ipswich-based Vertas appeared in the lay by in front of Britannia Pier. It was a Plaxton Panther 3 bodied Volvo B8R registered YX22 LTJ.

Roy

Last Electroliner Delivered

The last of First Great Yarmouth’s ten new Wright StretDeck Electroliners arrived at the Caister Road depot around lunchtime today.

36693 BF26 ZVE is pictured next to the bus wash after being collected from First Norwich’s Roundtree Way premises.

My thanks to Steve N for the information and photo.

Roy

Scottish Surprise

The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum held a special 'Low Floor and Late 90s' themed event at their Dunfermline site earlier today

One of the buses present was one which operated services in East Anglia, Volvo B10BLE T125 OAH. It was new in March 1999 to Ambassador Travel where it was employed on Norwich Park & Ride duties. It then moved to Blackburn Transport and later Transdev Lancashire United as their fleet number 205.

In 2017 it was purchased by York Pullman, where it worked local routes and contracts, including the York–Tadcaster corridor. Most recently, it operated with Dan’s Coach Travel in Suffolk and some of the operator's stickers can still be found inside the vehicle.

After over two decades of service across various operators, T125 OAH was acquired by Suffolk- based J&M Preservations and subsequently sold on to a Scottish preservationist. (see also comment)

My thanks to Joe Wilson for the photos.

Roy

Gorleston Bus Diverts

Following the closure of High Road in Gorleston by UK Power Networks, buses have been unable to serve the High Street since Thursday of last week.

Buses are being diverted via Church Lane and Beccles Road and here is FirstBus Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36285 LX59 DBU outside the Kevill Arms on the former with an X1 service to Lowestoft earlier today.

Looking in the opposite direction, towards the church, another FirstBus Volvo B9 36197 BN12 WNX and Coastlink ADL Enviro400 33803 YX63 LJF pass each other.

The new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners were also employed on the diverted 8 route for the first time with 36691 BF26 ZVC shown negotiating the roundabout. One electric bus, however, did a complete circuit of the roundabout as the driver forgot about the closure!

Unfortunately the stops next to and opposite the church caused traffic issues when buses picked up passengers there at the same time!

My thanks to 'Reg Vardy' for the photos.

Roy

Maurice Visits The Seaside

Dan's Coach Travel's Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B12M E23 DCT paid a visit to the east coast this morning.

Affectionately named Maurice, it was observed by 'Reg Vardy' on North Drive in Great Yarmouth and on the Lower Esplanade at Gorleston.

My thanks to 'Reg' for the information and photo.

Roy