Another One Bites The Dust ~ Updated

A second ex Leicester Citybus has been taken out of service by First with Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL 32063 W223XBD being the latest to go.

W223XBD in Church Road, Gorleston on a southbound Bernard Matthews' working in October 2019

32063 arrived at First Great Yarmouth during late February 2014 but didn't enter service until the beginning of March.

Late News:
Similar 32064 W224XBD was also withdrawn overnight

My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

New excel Timetable Published

As already highlighted in last week's Services and Alterations Registered, First Eastern Counties is to commence its new Excel service from Sunday 16th February 2020. Further details have also just been published on the operator's website.

The service will be provided by nineteen brand new buses especially built for the service in the form of a unique combination of a Scania Euro VI diesel chassis with stylish, modern bodywork from Alexander Dennis,

The new timetable offers:-
⧫  Fast buses up to every 30 minutes between Dereham and Norwich taking just 35 minutes, with extra journeys at peak times and new evening journeys.
⧫  A combined daytime frequency of three buses per hour between Dereham and Norwich.
⧫  Faster journeys between Kings Lynn or Swaffham direct to/from Norwich via the A47 Dereham bypass, operating up to every hour Monday to Saturday during the day.
⧫  A new Sunday timetable.

It shouldn't be too long now before we see the vehicles in the flesh!

Roy

Southtown Diversion

Local road users will be aware of the many roadworks being carried out in the Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft area with temporary alterations to many bus services.

First Gemini 36188 BN12JYL prepares to turn off William Adams Way after doubling back via Harfreys Roundabout

The most significantly affected are all northbound services using Southtown Road in Great Yarmouth due to flood protection work on Bollard Quay. From 13th January 2020, until further notice, (the road sign says 1st September 2020!) buses from Gorleston towards Great Yarmouth are being diverted via William Adams Way, Suffolk Road and Boundary Road. Whereas those towards Gorleston continue to  operate via the usual route albeit on the other side of the road!

Borderbus Enviro200 BB14BUS turning onto Suffolk Road on the 580 to Great Yarmouth

First's ALX400 32204 LT52WTK continues to Great Yarmouth along Suffolk Road on the 8 route

The sole surviving member of the ex 03 registered Essex Dart SLFs, SN03WMM, turns into Boundary Road

The X1 was also affected with LK58EDJ on Boundary Road about to regain its usual route onto Southtown Road

In recent days there has been other works disrupting services including Regent Street resurfacing, night works on the A47 at Hopton and overnight closures of Lowestoft's bascule bridge.

For the moment the Southtown diversion appears to be working ok with some slight delays to bus services. All photos were taken on Thursday 23rd January

Roy

Arrivals Keep Coming

Another arrival to report at Great Yarmouth this afternoon is another Yorkshire Gemini making the trip south.

37060 YJ06XMM has become the latest to join the Caister Road Exiles.

Another recent arrival, 37021 YJ06XKK is seen above at The Green in Ormesby St Margaret this afternoon working the 1 service out to Martham.

Thanks to First for the quick message and photo.

Grahame.

Another First Move

Another movement to report for First is that Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32475 AU53HJJ has returned to Eastern Counties,coming back to Ipswich after a spell in Essex. It was latterly based at Colchester.

32475 seen above en route back to Ipswich earlier today.

Many Thanks to Joe Thorpe for the info and Photo,

Grahame.

More First Activity

Further activity at First's Caister Road depot yesterday with the first involving the visit by the grim reaper in the form of Alpha Recovery to take away Volvo B7 61148 MV02VBU.

Another withdrawal to report is that of Volvo B7TL/ Alexander ALX 400 30948 YJ51RRV with gearbox failure. It is seen here yesterday in the rear yard of the depot.

Regarding the loans to Lowestoft ALX 400 30960 YJ51RDU has already returned being replaced by former First Cymru Dennis Dart SLF 42955 WX06OMM last night

My thanks to First for the information and photos

Roy

Dolphin Travel's Smurf

Jackie McVay has provided photos of Dolphin Autos 'new' Optare Solo complete with fleet names and other embellishments!

It has been sign written and personalised by Jackie who is also known as Smurf and hence the reason for the reference to the blue, human-like creatures featuring in a Belgian comic.

The thirty one seat CN07KZR was new to Bebb of Llantwit Fardre, Glamorgan in July 2007 and acquired by Dolphin last month. There is the possibility that more buses may also be purchased.

My thanks to Jackie for the photos