Returns To Sanders

Stephen Purkiss tells me 'another coach that has very recently returned to the Sanders fleet is this Van Hool bodied VDL SB4000 type number 805 - W20 SCL “Arthur Charles Gray” which is captured about to pass the Magpie Close turn while heading along Nightjar Road at Holt'.

He continues 'Originally delivered new to London based Anderson Travel of Bermondsey in May 2007 with registration YJ07 JWK this coach previously joined Sanders from New Enterprise of Tonbridge in May 2009 and was later allocated fleet number 803. Having received Sanders cherished plate 537 FN in January 2017 it regained its original registration YJ07 JWK in February 2020 when the 537 FN plate was transferred to then recently acquired Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R type 922 - FJ11 GMU'.

'Withdrawn and sold in May 2022 to Llew Jones of Llanrwst, YJ07 JWK had subsequently passed to Kendal based KT’s Coaches by May 2023 where it received their cherished plate KTS 96G. Having once more reverted to YJ07 JWK it returned to Sanders in August 2026 and has now received fleet number 805 and their plate W20 SCL. As we can see 805 is named “Arthur Charles Gray” and like coaches 802/804/900 & 932 it also carries the retro livery first introduced back in the mid-1980s.'

I am grateful to Stephen for the detailed information and photo.

Roy

Coach Services' Acquisitions

Regular contributor Jdraves1 reports on the arrival of three vehicles at Thetford-based Coach Services.



Former Sanders Coaches' Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse HF54 HHA joined the fleet a couple weeks ago. It was one of a dozen joining the North Norfolk operator from Go South Coast (Morebus) during April and May of 2018.



The other arrivals are two Mercedes-Benz EVM Citylines RV26 OAG and RV26 OAJ which are due to be used on the forthcoming S8, S9, S10, S10A Swaffham routes.

My thanks to Jdraves1 for the information and photos.

Roy

First Norwich Service Update

Following MarkC's report on the forthcoming changes to First Eastern Counties services at the end of August, he tells me that the operator has now placed details on its website which can be viewed here. The page also includes links to the new timetables.

Turquoise Line 13 and X13 routes are being replaced. (Photo: Luke Champney)

My thanks to Mark for the update.

Roy

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 it 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