Fiveways Open Top

Yesterday David Slater witnessed an unusual sighting on the A11 at Fiveways, Barton Mills of London sightseeing tour company Golden Tours 127 (BD16 YEE), a partial open top MCV eVoSeti bodied Volvo B5TL.

David says it was delivered in May 2016 and is one of 20 such diesel powered buses (125-144) that the company is currently having re-powered with battery-electric drivelines by Equipmake at Snetterton in Norfolk. He suspects, therefore, that that is where the bus was heading.

He had seen their 129 (BD16 YEG) on 17 July 2026 heading in the same direction.

Thanks again David for the photo and information.

Roy

Will First 36283 Return?

Following our post in early July regarding the loan of First Great Yarmouth Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 36283 LX59 DAU to FirstBus Leeds, we have been asked when will it return?

It appears to be highly unlikely as its has now been sold on to SMT Bus and Coach Limited of Sheffield. A post on FirstBus Enthusiasts Facebook site shows 36283 at Rotherham Interchange yesterday with all vinyls removed operating on a 195 service to Treeton. Although it retains its Coastal Red colours, it has new fleet number 283 applied.

Roy

Additional Flixbus Service

David Slater continues to keep us up to date regarding local  Flixbus activity and tells us that a second round trip was added to their service 083 yesterday

David continues 'The original service commenced on Thursday 7 May 2026 and had one round trip departing Birmingham for Norwich at 0840 returning from Norwich to Birmingham at 1450 worked by Prospect Coaches of Lye, near Stourbridge.

The new round trip departs Norwich for Birmingham at 0830 returning from Birmingham at 1500 and is worked by Transport Made Simple/Central Connect/Simonds. This photograph shows YK75 LFV, a Yutong GT12 new in September 2025, at Fiveways, Barton Mills as it worked the inaugural run.

 

The only intermediate points served on the service are Cambridge and Coventry and the overall journey time is 4 hours 15 minutes.'

Many thanks David for the photos and keeping us up to date with developments.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 19th August 2026

The latest East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains no entries regarding any relevant changes to local bus services. The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Another B9 Withdrawn

FirstBus Eastern Counties HD Connect branded Volvo B9TL 37725 YJ09 OBW has been withdrawn at Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth with engine problems.



It was new to First West Yorkshire in June 2009 and transferred from Huddersfield to Great Yarmouth in October 2024.

My thanks to Steve N for the the information.

Roy

Seven Up

A total of seven coaches were observed at Beach Coach Station in Great Yarmouth this afternoon.



I quickly managed to capture a photo of Blakes Coaches Irizar i6s BC19 HJB before it left the site



Its departure allowed a clear view of Three Star Coaches' TC25 TSC, an MCV EvoTor bodied Volvo B8R that was brand new to the operator in March 2025. Beside it was regular visitor Gee Vee Travel's Youtong GT12 GT19 GVT.



Alfa Holidays had a significant presence with three Mercedes-Benz Tourismos present in the form of 128 BV22 WTJ, 149 BF24 AOX and 167 BV26 HTG. The last was new in May 2026



The seventh coach was another of the Three Star Coaches fleet TC25 TSC, another similar Volvo B8R.

Roy

Great Yarmouth Bus Changes

FirstBus Eastern Counties is making changes to services in the Norwich and Great Yarmouth areas from Sunday 30th August 2026.

In Great Yarmouth, service 3 will run between the Barrack Estate, Gorleston and Bradwell every 30 minutes. Additional route 2 journeys will operate up to every 30 minutes between Great Yarmouth and Barrack Estate, providing a bus of up to every 15 minutes between Market Gates and Barrack Estate for most of the day. Some route 2 journeys will also extend via the Herring Bridge, Gorleston and Bradwell to serve Burgh Castle.

The new timetable can be viewed by clicking here

Roy