Open Topper Update

The latest from First Great Yarmouth is that ex First Kernow partial open topper 37796 LK59 CXO has left the depot for a repaint following repair.

It was new to First London before being acquired by Metroline. It then passed to Ensign before ending up with First Kernow running the Land's End Coaster service as an open topper.

Photo courtesy of Southern England Bus Scene.

Roy

Norwich Today

A couple of photos from Dan High who was stationed on Castle Meadow in Norwich earlier today.

The first is of First Eastern Counties Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36174 BD11 CFY which recently returned from Cornwall after leaving Norwich in July 2024. It's about head off to Sprowston on the Pink Line 11A service and there is nothing remotely pink about it!

Also observed was Simonds Irizar i6s coach YT26 AFK which looked to be on a private charter. It was new to the operator in early May.

My thanks to Dan for his photos.

Roy

Electroliner Arrivals

Another of First Great Yarmouth’s new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners arrived at Caister Road just before lunchtime today.

It was 36695 BF26 ZVH which is seen inside the depot in Steve N’s photo soon after arrival. 

He later got a photo of this afternoon’s arrival 36691 BF26 ZVC

Thanks for the information and photos Steve.

Roy

Lynx Changes

West Norfolk independent operator Lynx Bus has published changes to some of its services which are to take effect from Monday 1st June 2026.

They include the following routes:-
Service 33 Kings Lynn to Hunstanton - improved frequency with buses operating every two hours
Service 33A Hunstanton Town Circular - new service
Service 33B Hunstanton Town Circular - new service
Services 34/35/36 Kings Lynn to Hunstanton - improved connections to the QE Hospital
Service 36 Coastliner Kings Lynn to Fakenham - revised service
Service 44 The loop - New Kings Lynn to Hardwick circular route

More details on the Lynx Website

To help provide these changes Lynx has acquired eight Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530s from Bus Vanin on the Isle of Man. They are to receive fleet numbers 1 - 8  and are as follows:-

1) KMN-210-L 2) KMN-214-U 3) KMN-215-U     not yet arrived 4) KMN-218-U     now FX12 MUB 5) KMN-219-U     not yet arrived 6) LMN-225-D     not yet arrived 7) LMN-229-H

8) LMN-230-H     away for repaint

No's 2 and 4 have already received the Lynx red colour scheme with the latter to be branded for the new Loop service.

Making way for them will be the withdrawal of nine older OptareTempos:-

3 - YJ55BKG    7 - YJ56WVA    11 - YJ07VSK    12 - YJ07VSL    13 - YJ07VSM 14 - YJ07VSN 15 - FD54JYA    19 - FD54JYF    30 - MX05ELH

In other news DAF DB250 Gemini 57 - LJ04LEU has been withdrawn for scrap with two new E400 MMCs (68 and 69) expected soon for Coastliner.

I am very grateful to Sam Larke for his help in preparing this report and to 'Reg Vardy' for his photo of four of the new arrivals.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 27th May 2026

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report includes changes to BorderBus services in connection with the Latitude Festival at Henham Park in Suffolk.

LAT1 Halesworth to Latitude Festival - amended timetable effective 21st July 2026.
LAT2 Halesworth to Latitude Festival - amended timetable effective 24th July 2026.
LAT3 Latitude Festival to Southwold - amended timetable effective 24th July 2026.
LAT4 Kessingland to Latitude Festival - amended route and timetable effective 24th July 2026.
LAT5 Tesco, Beccles to Latitude Festival - amended timetable effective 24th July 2026.

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

Roy

Grim Reaper Visits

The grim reaper called into First Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot early this morning in the form of a Trevor Wigley tow truck.

Making its final journey to the scrapyard was Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37139 SN57 HCY.

My thanks to Steve N for the information and photos.

Roy

Emergency Rail Replacement

With Reedham Swing Bridge braking down but remaining open to river traffic, Anglia Railways quickly arranged rail replacement services between Lowestoft and Norwich at short notice earlier today.

Lowestoft- based Angies Tours (P J Overy) immediately stepped into the breach by providing at least two coaches. The 14:17 departure was provided by Scania K410EB6/Caetano Levante BV17 GOU which was new to De Courcey of Coventry in March 2017.

The second coach observed was Neoplan Tourliner Y24 TEY, thought to be the 15:48 rail replacement. Its registration recognises Angies' associated Colchester-based business Teys Tours.

My thanks to Tim Miller for the report and photos.

Roy