Swaffham Observations

Earlier today regular contributor Dan High decided to observe bus activity in Harry Hill’s favourite Norfolk town of Swaffham.

First Eastern Counties Scania N250UD / ADL Enviro400 City 36910  YN69 XZP was being employed on the B excel service to Kings Lynn, Wisbech and Peterborough.

Seen at the bus stop was Konectbus ADL Enviro400 622 SN65 OAA destined for Dereham on the 11 route.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Sanders Acquires Semmence

Sanders Coaches have announced their acquisition of H Semmence & Company of Wymondham. The takeover means that additional operational coaches join the fleet together with the majority of the Semmence staff.

Sanders Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B8R CE24SAN outside their Bessemer Road depot
(Photo: Nick Farrow)

All existing Semmence operations will be moved to Sanders recently built Bessemer Road depot in Norwich. All contracts and private charters are to continue as normal and will be completed by a mixture of vehicles acquired from Semmence together with some of Sanders own fleet.

Optare Solo YK04 KVU, when with Ambassador Travel, has been acquired by Sanders

Fleet wise the following become part of the Sanders fleet although not all will be operational:-

YO54 DRX	Dennis Javelin
KIG 8457	Volvo Sunsundegui
KIG 8426	Jonckheere Mistral
JL09 RSL	Plaxton Panther
YN06 RVE	Volvo
BF63 ZSK	Volvo B9 Caetano
BF63 ZSL	Volvo B9 Caetano
EHZ 5362	Volvo B9 Caetano
FJ09 DXC	Scania Caetano
Y176 KCS	Jonckheere Mistral
KIG 7738	Volvo Sunsundegui
KIG 1890	Jonckheere Mistral
PN06 TVP	Iveco
YK04 KVU	Optare Solo
AU02 VXY	Volvo

Volvos BF63 ZSK and KIG 7738 when they were both operated by Ambassador Travel

As part of the takeover Norfolk County Council school bus routes and local bus services will be operated by Sanders Coaches with effect from Sunday 24th May 2026.

My thanks to Kieran Smith at Sanders for his help with the preparation of this post.

Roy

Not Another One!

Another of First Great Yarmouth's Wright StreetDeck Electroliners has arrived at Norwich's Roundtree Way depot.



The latest is 36696 BF26 ZVJ which is seen here in a photo provided by Steve N. Thanks Steve.

Roy

Blue Wednesday

There appeared to be a predominance of blue in the photos sent by Dan High regarding Norwich activity yesterday.



Simonds branded Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini SN55 AGV was employed on the PR3 Postwick Park & Ride.



Seen at the same location is First Eastern Counties Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini BD11 CFY. It had recently returned from a stint with First Kernow and was acting as a staff bus.



The third photo features First Eastern Counties open topper 33427 LK58 KHL, another former First Kernow bus.

A fourth blue bus is Konectbus ADL Enviro200 YY64 TXP is shown here with fleet number 785 which seems to indicate the fleet is/has received a re-numbering.

My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

Dolphin School Trips

Two Norwich-based Dolphin Travel vehicles appeared on school trips to Great Yarmouth earlier today.



I first spotted their BMC 220 YJ56 XSR turning on South Beach Parade, while Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther BU54 DAY was later noted outside the SeaLife Centre on Marine Parade.

Roy

Electroliner Driver Training

To prepare for the introduction of Wright StreetDeck Electroliners on First Great Yarmouth services, two examples were observed on driver training earlier today.



Kai Gied saw the first, 36689 BF26 ZVA, about to enter Market Gates Bus Station while he pictured 36692 BF26 ZVD on Northgate Street.



A third Electroliner, 36690 BF26ZVB, was later viewed inside Caister Road depot.



My thanks to Kai for the information and photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 20th May 2026

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report includes changes to two First Eastern Counties services in the local area.

The operator is to amend the route and timetable of its 40/40A/X41/41A /41 services from St Stephens Street in Norwich to Halesworth / Bungay, St Johns Road from 31st May 2026.
It will also alter the route, start & finish points, stopping places and timetable of its X1 service between Market Gates in Great Yarmouth and the railway station in Lowestoft from 26th May 2026.

The full report can be viewed here soon on the Government’s website.

Roy