MetroDecker in Norwich

An unusual appearance in Norwich's Castle Meadow earlier today was this Central Connect branded red and blue Optare MetroDecker..

Listed on Bus Times as being with the Simonds fleet, T21 GAL has fleet number 501 and was previously registered YJ21 FDD. It was part of a cancelled order for Reading Buses in June 2021 and was later with Centaur Travel of Crayford.

My thanks to Dan High for the photo which shows it about to leave on the 82 service to Roydon.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 10th June 2026

This week's East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report includes just the one retrospective entry of relevance to the local area.

First Eastern Counties had ceased operating its 983 Repps Road, Martham to East Norfolk Sixth College, Gorleston service from 3rd October 2025. 

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

Roy

Ex First Ipswich Repaint

During mid January an Ipswich Park and Ride liveried ADL/TransBus Enviro300 migrated south to First Essex. This morning 67774 SN62 AXK was observed in Chelmsford Bus Station in the latest Ultraviolet colour scheme. 

My thanks to Dale Bell for the information and photo. He had earlier provided a photo of it being employed in Chelmsford in the Park & Ride livery for my post of  2nd February 2026, which can be viewed by clicking here.

Roy

Dan Visits Great Yarmouth

Regular contributor Dan High swapped his usual Norwich location for Great Yarmouth today and took up residence at Market Gates Bus Station to view some of the new Electroliners.

He did get a photo of one them during his short visit, in the form 36689 BF26 ZVA, heading for Caister on the 8s.

My thanks to Dan for the photo.

Roy

Another Withdrawal

With the gradual entry into service of the new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners the Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Geminis are beginning to be withdrawn from service.

We have already reported the demise of 37579 AU58 EDK but another, 37565 AU58 ECD, was condemned over the weekend. It is seen here on Lowestoft Road in Gorleston returning with the Coastal Clipper 1 service from Lowestoft in February 2023.

Roy

Simonds Activity

Dan High witnessed some double decker activity by Diss-based Simonds in the central area of Norwich yesterday.

Their Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL SN56 AGV was noted travelling eastbound on Castle Meadow on a Postwick Park and Ride service

Soon after another Simonds double decker passed in the same direction with ADL Enviro400 MMC 512  YY74 OBU displaying Hartismere EE315 as its destination! I assume it was heading for Great Yarmouth to operate a workers contract to the Cranswick Country Foods  factory as reported on the Bus Times website.

My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

Old & New

Great Yarmouth's Route 8 is about to be transformed into full electric operations, the new fleet slowly being introduced into service. 36695 BF26ZVH & 36689 BF26ZVA were both out in use today.

 36695 seen here in Beaconsfield Road on Driver Changeover.

 

Soon to be withdrawn from use are some of the original batch of Excel Volvo B9TL's, 37578 AU58EDJ is seen here entering Beatty Road en route to Caister.

Grahame.