First Great Yarmouth Update

The latest news from First’s Caister Road depot is that open toppers Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis 37068 CRZ 599, 37069 CRZ 622 and 37533 CRZ 166 have moved out of the depot to be stored elsewhere whilst the garage is being prepared to cater for the arrival of electric buses later this year.



Wright StreetLite 47646 SN15 AFF is presently awaiting parts for its MOT with open top Volvo B9TL 37065 CRZ 266 currently over the pits for its MOT next week.

Meanwhile, withdrawn ADL Enviro400 33423 SN60 CAA still remains inside the depot.

My thanks to StevenN for the information.

Roy

Green Machine

Continuing the green vehicle theme earlier today was First Eastern Counties 37134 SN57 HDJ working 21 services to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL entered service in Norwich in October last year having transferred from First Essex in Colchester.



My thanks to Dan High for the photo.

Roy

New Flixbus Services

David Slater notes from the Flixbus website that two new services serving Norwich are to be launched in May 2026.

Commencing Friday 1st May is daily service UK083 from Norwich Bus Station via Cambridge Parkside and Coventry Pool Meadow to Birmingham Newhall Street.
Departure from Birmingham is 08:30 arriving in Norwich at 12:45 while the return leaves Norwich at 15:00 arriving in Birmingham at 19:15. On the face of it that appears to be a working from the Birmingham end

Commencing Monday 25th May is daily service UK950 from Norwich Bus Station via UEA, Thetford Bus Interchange, Cambridge Parkside, Trumpington Park & Ride and Luton Airport Parkway Railway Station to Heathrow Airport Central Bus Station.
Departure times from Norwich Bus Station/arrival times at Heathrow:
0025    0430
0215    0625
0350    0815
1115    1600
1315    1740 (This trip does not serve UEA or Trumpington)
1515    1950
Departure times from Heathrow/arrival times at Norwich Bus Station:
0600    1035
0755    1230
0945    1420
1730    2200 (This trip does not serve Trumpington or UEA)
1910    2330
2120    0140
The pattern appears to be a working from the Norwich end possibly using three vehicles at a stretch.

I am very grateful to David for the information.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 4th February 2026

Some retrospective changes to local bus services appear in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report

Coastal Accessible Transport Service Limited of Leiston has varied its Katch service between Framlingham and Snape from 19th January 2026

BorderBus of Beccles has amended the route, start & finish point, stopping places and timetable of its 580 service between Broad Street, Harleston / Hillside Road, Bungay, Suffolk and Market Gates, Great Yarmouth from 5th January 2026.

The same operator has also altered the route, start & finish point, stopping places and timetable of its 522 / 522A / 522B service from Morrisons, Beccles to Fort Green, Aldeburgh from the same date.

The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Wanderers To Return

Former First Eastern Counties Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36173 BD11 CFX was seen last week at Land’s End by Martin Bott whilst operating with First South West.



With First ceasing their Cornwall operations on 14th of February, this bus (and two its sisters) are due to return to First Eastern Counties in the near future.

My thanks to Martin for the information and photo

Roy

Norwich Monday

Regular contributor Dan High has sent some photos relating to his sightings in Norwich's Castle Meadow yesterday



His first shows Simonds (Transport Made Simple) Scania N94UD OmniDekka WVE 284 being employed on the PR3 Postwick Park & Ride route.



Next up is Konectbus ADL Enviro200 272 YX61 DVP, still in Hedingham colours, heading for Stalham on the 5B service.



His final photo features First Eastern Counties ADL Enviro400 33573 SN58 ENR on the 28 from Thorpe Marriott.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Another Enviro300 Joins First Essex

During mid January another Ipswich Park and Ride liveried ADL/TransBus Enviro300 migrated south to First Essex. Since then Dale Bell has attempted to get a photo of recent arrival 67774 SN62 AXK.

That was until earlier today when Dale found it in Chelmsford Bus Station ready to leave for Brentwood and Warley on the 351.

My thanks to Dale for the photo.

Roy