Down Memory Lane ~ WRN413V

Another delve into the photo albums has unearthed a picture of a Leyland National crossing Great Yarmouth's Haven Bridge sometime during 1980

Whilst the photo is not of very good quality I thought it may be of interest to Great Yarmouth Transport aficionados!

It is a photograph of WRN413V owned by John Fishwick & Son of Leyland, Lancashire .

The Leyland National Mark 2 is seen in the operator's traditional two tone green livery with white bumpers crossing Haven Bridge. She was on loan as a demonstrator but none were ever purchased

Sorry, Not in Service

Just to advise readers that the eastnorfolkbus blog will be taking a well earned rest

This is the blog's third year and it has been a very busy one too. The record number of postings achieved last year has already been surpassed (during August no less!), so I am sure you will not begrudge the ten days break!

The numbers visiting the blog continue to increase substantially with almost 1200 visiting on one day during September

I, therefore, value your visits and to keep you entertained whilst we are away, I have prepared some Down Memory Lane postings which I am sure will jog the old memory banks

We will be back before you know it and no doubt, by then, the new Enviro 400s will be starting to appear in service on the X1 !

Yesterday in Norwich

Regular blog reader Steve W was at Norwich Bus Station during yesterday and snapped Enviro 400 SN60CAA at the X1 stand and asks

'Am I the first to spot that 33423 only has the Excel vinyls on the nearside and the offside is still completely white? 
Note the damage to the nearside rear corner exposing what looks like black paint underneath - wonder what was originally there!'

An interesting point that Steve, as the only photos I have seen of her show her in a mainly white livery - see here

Steve also spotted First Dart 43478 R478CAH on the X2 Norwich to Lowestoft service, which is the first SLF he has seen on it. Apparently they are regular performers on the route

He also adds

'On a side note, I was waiting for Anglian's 14:00 service 88 to Halesworth when a Solo came in on the inward journey. As there were at least 45 people waiting that would have been rather interesting, but thankfully a gas bus came in private and swapped. 

My thanks to Steve for the report and photos

They're Here!

The first three of the new Enviro 400 buses for the X1 service arrived at Kings Lynn depot during yesterday afternoon

Gerard has a pictorial of the new arrivals on his X1 blog which can be viewed by clicking here The first three have fleet numbers 33803-5 and are registered YX63LJF/J/K

Get the cameras ready for their début in service!

More on Reynolds (Metropolitan Coaches)

Blog reader Jim Long has been in touch regarding the recent posting on Reynolds (Metropolitan Coaches) 

'I dug out of my old PSV notes on Reynolds and the buses that were noted with them and they are as follows. The yellow highlight shows buses that Eastern Counties used and this was back in July 1951.' 

'The vehicles were originally licensed to O Reynolds then to Reynolds Hire Service Ltd by around 1931 and to the final name in mid-1939. If any blog readers have pics of any of these up to EX4704 I would love to see them'

Jim speculates 'that it wouldn't surprise me if the second photo (in the previous posting) is possibly EX3704, maybe? 

My appreciation goes to Jim for the information he has provided and, like him, I would be pleased to see if readers can come up with any photos. The email address is eastnorfolkbus@yahoo.com 

Simonds New Arrivals

Simonds Volvo B7RLE BT13YWF in St Stephen's Street Norwich yesterday

Norfolk operator Simonds has taken delivery of two new vehicles

They are MAN Evolution bodied Volvo B7RLEs BT13YWE and BT13YWF

The latter was noted in Norwich's St Stephen's Street during yesterday afternoon on service 2 to Diss

They have Simonds Country Link branding in red and green for use on rural services

Down Memory Lane ~ Reynolds Charabancs

Another in the occasional series of Down Memory Lane and even I am not old enough to remember these (!) but I thought this series of photos may be of interest to eastnorfolkbus blog readers

Regular reader and contributor Tim Miller has forwarded these photos which also show his family members in addition to the charabancs

The first photo is of a charabanc owned by Oscar Reynolds taken

during the mid-1920s and is noted as being the first charabanc to have a gangway down the middle. Driven by Bert Miller and later Reg Aldred (in photo)

Tim doesn't have a clue about the second photo but the Reynolds Hire Service mark can be clearly seen on the side of the vehicle

The third photo is of a Reynolds Dennis Metropolitan with Tim's great grandfather Bertie Miller driving

and his grandfather is the young boy.

You may note from the photo that the speed of the vehicle is given as 12 mph and Tim reminds me of
'an old court case which they troll out occasionally (Porthole in the Great Yarmouth Mercury) of Bertie Miller and the infamous speeding down Yarmouth seafront at an alarming ??? pace of about 14mph if my memory serves. 
Still one of the first I believe'

The fourth picture shows another Dennis owned by Reynolds although there is some confusion here. Tim's grandfather has this as 'The Enchantress' but it clearly says 'The Prince' on the door!

The last image is again a Dennis Metropolitan driven by Reggie Rudd who later became a fire engine driver apparently

As with all the photos, I found myself trying to locate their setting within the

current street scene and the penultimate one has me baffled! Dinners at the Arcade Restaurant are shown as 1/6 and 1/9 (seven and a half and eight and three quarter pence respectively in new money!)

A full screen image can be seen by clicking on each individual photo

My thanks to Tim Miller for sharing the photos with us and I would welcome any comments on them from blog readers

Mick Capon has responded to this post by providing more information and his response can be viewed by clicking the '2 comments:' link immediately below. Tim has also replied to Mick's update

Fifteen at the Beach

Gloucestershire based Pulham's GL05PUL being employed on a Shearings tour
To the left is Shearings Volvo B10M MX03AEO

Of the fifteen coaches observed at Beach Coach Station during yesterday afternoon, just two of them were day trippers.

The rest have been using the site all week for laying over after day outings included as part of a tour package based in the town

With Shearings continuing to use third party operators for their own tours, one noteable visitor was Pulham's Van Hool bodied Volvo GL05PUL, complete with Shearings branding in the front screen. Parked alongside her was white liveried Shearings Jonckheere Mistral bodied Volvo B10M 530 MX03AEO - formerly with National Holidays

Other coaches of interest were National Holidays Volvo B12M MX04AFE and Alfa Tours Dennis R410 33 PN05AMX

Service Alterations Registered ~ 18th September 2013

The latest Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report was published earlier today on the Gov.UK website

Report No 2162 contains changes affecting bus services and operators in this area which mostly relate to the provision of schools/college services

Registration of New Services Granted Under Short Notice

SANDERS COACHES LTD, HEATH FARM, HEMPSTEAD ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE , HOLT NR25 6JU

From: Happisburgh Church Bus Stop

To: East Norfolk College.  Via: Ingham, Sutton

Name or No: 834

Service Type: Normal Stopping

Effective Date: 02-Sep-2013

Other Details: All college days, 1 journey each way

Applications to Vary Existing Services

ANGLIAN BUS LTD, BECCLES BUSINESS PARK, SANDPIT LANE, ELLOUGH BECCLES NR34 7TH

Operating between Lowestoft and Norwich given service number 60 effective from 04-Nov-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable. (see previous post on this blog)

Applications to Vary Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, 6 LANSDOWNE ROAD NORWICH NR6 6NF

Operating between Aldeburgh and Saxmundham given service number 64A/964 effective from 01-Sep-2013. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.

H SEMMENCE & CO LTD, 34 NORWICH ROAD WYMONDHAM NR18 0NS

Operating between Beccles and Easton College given service number 58 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.

SANDERS COACHES LTD, HEATH FARM, HEMPSTEAD ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE , HOLT NR25 6JU

Operating between Aylsham Market Place and Church Lane, Gorleston given service number 837 effective from 02-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable

Source: Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area - Notices & Proceedings Report 2162 - published 18th September 2013

X1 Vehicle Update

Recently repainted First Gemini 37160 AU07DXX
destined for Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Photo Grahame Bessey

Gerrard Fletcher reports on his excellent X1 blog that 'this looks like being the week that the new Enviro buses are due to arrive'. 

Additional accommodation at Kings Lynn is currently being sought whilst the newcomers are being delivered and Gerrard suggests that if this is not forthcoming then Norwich's Roundtree Way site will be used as a temporary measure

As the present Gemini fleet are gradually being replaced on X1 duties, the question arises as to where they will end up. Gerrard says this will start with the Volvo B7s 37156-60, AU07DXS/T/V-X, which will go to Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

His blog also further states 37563-69 AU58ECA/C-F/J/N are returning to Lowestoft for work on the X2 Lowestoft Norwich service whilst 37570-9 AU58ECT/V-Z will go to Great Yarmouth for use on the X1 shorts and other associated services.

A more detailed report is available on the X1 blog

Olympian Loan

Olympian 34110 W437CWX on a Bernard Matthews contract in
Nelson Road North, Great Yarmouth on 22nd November 2011

Just a quick update from Ryan at First's Caister Road depot

The final production Volvo Olympian with Alexander Royale bodywork, 34110 W437CWX, has gone on loan to nearby Lowestoft.

She is to be used to provide extra cover for Bernard Matthews contract duties and will return to Great Yarmouth when work on 30888 W743DWX has been completed.

My thanks to Ryan for the regular updates

End Of Season Gala - Day Two

Ex Eastern Counties Bristol MW6G LS 829 APW829B

At long last a report on the second day of the East Anglia Transport Museum's End Of Season Gala with photos kindly provided by Tim Major

The picture that attracted my attention the most was that of former Eastern Counties APW829B - I remember these operating from Great Yarmouth's Wellington Road depot and from the overspill Marine Parade coach park.

Another Eastern Counties bus is that of Greenway WAH587S

Eastern Coachworks introduced this style of body on late build Bristol MW's, this Bristol MW6G was new in 1964 to Eastern Counties as their LS829

Another ex Eastern Counties bus in attendance was WAH587S. New in September 1977 as Leyland National LN587 she received Greenway conversion and re-entered service in December 1995. 

Ex London Transport RLH61 MXX261

She was subsequently acquired by Carters Coaches of Capel St Mary, Suffolk and is now privately owned.

I mentioned in my report of Saturday's activities that Ensignbus sent Ex London Transport RLH61 MXX261 to the event

She was also in active service on Sunday as Tim's photo shows

A former Eastern National decker

Copenhagen No 5 - a 1926 Garrett trolleybus

was also present on the Sunday in the shape of Bristol VR/ ECW KOO790V

The final view is that of Copenhagen No.5, a 1926 Garrett trolleybus - the world's oldest working trolleybus.

(One has to ignore claims by the Illinois Railway Museum!)

My thanks to Tim Major for the photos.

Anglian NOT Re-introducing Norwich Service!

I reported earlier that Anglianbus had submitted details to the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to reinstate their bus service between the Beccles and Norwich.

A reliable source informs me that the reason for the Notice & Proceedings submission was that Anglian is to remove all journeys to the Sir John Leman High School in Beccles from the 4th of November

Apparently VOSA publishes the terminal points but do not amend them on subsequent alterations, even when the terminal points are changed!

Thus, Anglian's 60 route is officially shown as Lowestoft to Norwich despite the fact that it now operates between Lowestoft and Beccles only. It will NOT, therefore, be extended to Norwich

My thanks to my 'reliable source' for his help with this correction

Two New Ipswich Arrivals

New arrival PL05UBR outside Ipswich depot

Regular blog reader Jim Long has kindly provided details of two new arrivals at First Ipswich

The Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE's are PL05UBR and PL05UBS, ex Transdev Lancashire United via Ensign

They are both in the new livery and will receive fleet numbers 69532 and 69533 respectively

My thanks to Jim for the photo and to Grahame Bessey for the information

Another X1 Repaint

Newly repainted Gemini 37160 AU07DXX at Caister Road depot

First Eastern Counties Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL 37160 AU07DXX is another X1 vehicle to receive a repaint into the standard livery

She was noted at Great Yarmouth's Caister Road this afternoon and, with the help of a First employee, Grahame Bessey photographed her outside the front of the depot

Again my thanks to Grahame for the photo

Reynolds Coaches Update

Recent Reynolds Coaches arrival YJ02KYH

Regular contributor Grahame Bessey called into Reynolds Coaches' premises earlier today and discovered the identity of the recently acquired white Dennis Javelin/ Plaxton Premiere

She is currently registered YJ02KYH and is pictured at the rear of the Ormesby Road site. When I spoke to Mr Reynolds last week he was unsure as to whether she will be sold on

Grahame also noted Dennis Javelin/ Plaxton BIG8773 is now minus fleet names and lettering. With the arrival of the newcomers it may be a contender for early disposal - we will just have to wait and see!

My thanks to Grahame for the information and photo

End Of Season Gala - Day One

Huddersfield 541 on a circuit of the museum yesterday 

With bad weather forecast for today, I decided to attend the East Anglia Transport Museum's End of Season Gala yesterday. (This morning started bright and sunny - have they got it all wrong again?!)

The main attraction was Huddersfield Trolleybus 541 CVH741, offering rides around the museum; as I was about to enter I was told she was now out of service!

Royal Blue Bristol RELH/ECW 2380 OTA640G in National White

Upon arrival, the first vehicle I saw was Royal Blue Bristol RELH6G 2380 OTA640G, complete with an Eastern Coachworks body.

She was delivered to Southern National as their 2380 in March 1969.

A second Bristol/ECW bus visiting was former Eastern National RELL6G FWC439H

Eastern National Bristol RELL 1516 FWC439H

She was taken into the fleet as No 1516 during December 1969

The saloon is currently owned a member of the Colne Estuary Preserved Buses Group based in north Essex

Another interesting attendee was AEC Reliance/ Harrington Grenadier HLP10C

New to Surrey Motors of Sutton in July 1965, she was displayed in her original owner's colours

Surrey Motors Harrington Granadier bodied AEC Reliance HLP10C

HLP10C is not a complete foreigner to the region as she also spent some time in service with Premier Travel of Cambridge

Ensignbus sent former London Transport RLH61 MXX261

Delivered in February 1966, she later spent some thirty years in Canada (mostly in

Ashton Under Lyne 87 YTE826 in a livery similar to Great Yarmouth Corporation!

Ontario) before returning home to the UK

Another former London bus attending was London Country RML 2419 JJD419D

Most of the museum's trolleybuses were out on display and I had to do a double take when I saw Ashton Under Lyne's 87 YTE826 in her cream and blue livery

Not too dissimilar to that of a former municipal operator further along the A12!

Speaking of Great Yarmouth Corporation, Leyland PD2 66 EX6566 and AEC Reliance 85 AEX85B were both in active service

As I was originally only planning to attend the gala on the Sunday, I was therefore fortuitous in being able to meet up with some old friends at the event too

Last Caetano Enters Service

Former Jersey Dart, now First 43866 EG52FGV, on Lowestoft Town service 102

The last former Jersey Connect Caetano entered service at Lowestoft at the end of August

Grahame Bessey snapped 43866 EG52FGV at Gordon Road on Wednesday when she was employed on route 102 serving Oulton Village

My thanks to Grahame for the report and photo and to Sam Larke for the update

Postcards From Sheringham

Sanders' Scania YN03UVM now in all-over 'Postcards From Sheringham' branding

It has been some time since North Norfolk based Sanders Coaches acquired former Anglian Scania OmniCity YN03UVM.

Since her purchase she has been operating Sanders' services whilst retaining Anglian livery as can be seen here approaching Holt on the 6th July last

However, she has since been repainted, not in Sanders colours, but as an all-over advert for 'Postcards from Sheringham'. Designed by local artist Colin Seal the bus is being used to promote tourism in Sheringham and a special Experience Sheringham website has been established as part of the project

YN03UVM was photographed by regular contributor Graham Bessey at Norwich Bus station yesterday. Thanks for the info and pic Grahame

Two In, Two Out

The recent arrival at the rear of Reynolds' premises at Caister

During my visit to Reynolds Coaches of Caister this afternoon, I observed a newly acquired coach in a recently applied all over silver livery - awaiting the application of decals

On speaking to the owner, Mr Charles Reynolds, he told me that it is one of two coaches recently purchased from the Ministry of Defence. As yet it hasn't received a registration plate and is also due for its MOT next week. I understand the other vehicle retains a white livery but wasn't on site at the time of my visit

Mr Reynolds also tells me that the two vehicles currently advertised on Reynolds' website as being available for sale have recently been disposed of. They were 1994 Dennis Javelin BIG9836 and 1999 Toyota Caetano Optimo BIG7756

My thanks to Mr Reynolds for the information provided

Network Norwich Visitor

Passing the rear of First's Caister Road depot at lunchtime today, I observed a Network Norwich double decker in the rear yard

On closer inspection I found her to be White Line (Spare) Dennis Trident/ Plaxton President 33239 LT52WVH

Unfortunately I was unable to ascertain as to why she was there - may have been for her MOT

Still in service in Great Yarmouth's Market Gates today was 1998 built Dennis Dart/ Plaxton Pointer 43480 R680DPW

The last of the type to be based here, it was earlier thought that she would be transferred away to nearby Lowestoft

Maretts to Sell Recent Shearings' Acquisition

North Walsham based Maretts Chariots is to sell of one of the three Van Hool Alizee bodied Volvo B12Ms recently acquired from Shearings

Last month I reported on the blog that they had acquired the 48 seaters MX03ACJ, MX03ACY and MX03ACZ from the Wigan based company

The disposal is advertised in the latest edition of Route One magazine which was published yesterday

New X1 Timetable

Recently repainted into standard livery is Volvo/Wright Gemini
37158 AU07DXV - seen passing through Acle on 2nd September

First's Suffolk and Norfolk website advises that a new X1 timetable commences on Sunday 29th September and will be available on their  website from Monday 16th September. A printed version will also be available two days later on Wednesday 18th September.

The revised timetable is designed to further improve punctuality across the entire 120 miles of the route.

Peak hour services between the Great Yarmouth area and Norwich have been retimed to offer a more comprehensive and reliable service which includes

• X1 buses will still run up to every 15 minutes between Great Yarmouth and Norwich.
• X1 buses will still run up to every 30 minutes between Lowestoft and Peterborough via Great Yarmouth and Gorleston.
• There are more through buses between Gorleston and Norwich.

The X1 Sunday timetable has been changed and now includes two buses per hour between Great Yarmouth and Norwich.

Whilst there are no changes to the route, new buses will appear in service later this month

Down Memory Lane ~ August 1988

Apologies for the lack of posts during the past few days but this has been due to a couple of things. Firstly helping with the move of my sister in law to new accommodation and making the old flat ready for an incoming tenant plus, secondly, there appears to be little happening locally during that period.

So to make up for that, I am indulging in a little nostalgia following Neil Chilvers sending me pictures of double deckers at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station during August 1988; no doubt prompted by the recent appearance of two deckers there in one day.

The first of Neil's pictures is that of Colchester Borough Transport's Eastern Coach Works bodied Leyland Olympian C42HHJ. New as number 42 in the fleet in 1985, she was transferred away to Midland Fox in late 1993 after British Bus acquired the operator. No 42 was also latterly with Silverdale of Nottingham.

Next up is Lincoln City Transport East Lancs bodied Volvo 'Citybus' B10M-50 KIB6620.

New in April of 1988 as fleet number 66, she had dual purpose seating with a large walk-in luggage locker on the rear lower deck. 

Unusual in having a Northern Ireland registration from new, the bus later passed into the Lincolnshire Road Car fleet when they took over Lincoln City Transport during 1993

KIB6620 soon moved on to parent company Yorkshire Traction, spending the next fourteen years as E736HFW. The KIB registration later ended up on a Road Car Leyland Tiger

The final photo of the trio is of Leaside Buses MCW Metrobus M1379 VLT88. She was delivered to London Buses as C379BUV in November 1985 with an H43/28D body. 

Members of the Leaside Buses fleet used to be frequent visitors to the town's Beach Coach Station on summer Sundays

My thanks to Neil Chilvers for the interesting selection of photos

Borderbus Trio

X641LLX awaits her turn for School branding to be applied

You may have seen my report of yesterday regarding the acquisition of three former Metroline Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs by Borderbus of Bungay via Ensign (dealers)

Tim Miller reports that two of the threesome were at the Lambert Coaches yard in Beccles earlier today when he called by and he fortunately had his camera with him too!

Volvo B7TL/ Plaxton President  
X647LLX having Sir John Leman 
High School decals applied

All three are for Sir John Leman High School work and X647LLX was having appropriate branding applied at the time of the visit; whilst X641LLX was awaiting her turn. The third vehicle X662LLX was probably out on a road test.

My thanks to Tim Miller for the report and pictures

First Images of New X1 Enviro400

Front view of the new X1 Enviro400 at Plaxton's Scarborough works

Today I am able to bring you the first images of one of the new Enviro400s for use on First's X1 route between Peterborough and Lowestoft via Norwich and Great Yarmouth

The photos were taken at Plaxton's Scarborough works and show the new colour scheme; which is very different from that carried by the current X1 vehicles

Rear view of the Enviro400

It is believed that the first Enviro400 should enter service on the X1 from late September onwards

The pictures are courtesy of Mike Wallington and remain his copyright

My thanks to Grahame Bessey for his help in preparing this post

See also comments below

Ensign Bus Dealership Activity

Olympian HIL7618 at Anglian's Ellough site in July 2010

Most of you will be aware that Ensign also provides a dealership in addition to its bus services in the Essex area

Ross Newman provides monthly reports to many enthusiast groups and I include details of some vehicles movements at Purfleet from the August listing which may be of interest locally

Vehicles In:

• From Anglian Bus : Olympian HIL7618, Javelin 784EYB and Solo’s AU54EOA/ ENY.

Vehicles Out:

• Volvo B7TL’s X641/647/662LLX (ex Metroline) : Borderbus, Bungay, Suffolk
• Olympian G340KKW (ex Whippet) : Mr M Pearce, Lowestoft.
• Solo AU54ENY (ex Anglian): Harrogate Coach Travel.

My thanks to Ross Newman for his permission to use the information in this post

Mulleys Double Deck Visitor

Mulleys double deck coach WSV666 at Beach Coach Station

An unusual arrival at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station yesterday was a Mulleys' double decker

Van Hool Alizee bodied Scania K113TRB WSV666 was one of five vehicles at the site during yesterday afternoon

Acquired from Holmeswood, Lancashire in February 2003 as N91WVC, she was new to Shaws of Coventry in early 1996

Swift Service

Swift Taxis still operates a small number of services - this is TR3
which operates between Lingwood and Wroxham via Acle

Great Yarmouth based Swift Taxis have slowly reduced the number of bus services it operates over the past few years

One service it continues to provide is its outward and return TR3 Lingwood to Wroxham service via Acle which runs fortnightly on Mondays only

Today, Sunsundegui Sideral bodied Volvo B12M 112 S11WFT performed on the service. Named Swift Eagle, she was previously registered CE02YRX when acquired from McNulty of North Wembley in August 2006

Konect's 52 Commences

The first day of the basic hourly Konect service between Acle and Cringleford
via Norwich City Centre

Following the introduction of Anglianbus' new network, sister company Konect have introduced an Acle to Cringleford service operating via Norwich City Centre

Numbered 52, this morning's  09:35 outward service was operated by Optare Versa 301 MX08UZU.

301 arrived just after one of First's Volvo B10M's left the Barclay's Bank stop prior to parking there for some five minutes. Clearly an attempt by First to starve the Konect service of passengers.

Route 52 primarily operates on an hourly frequency with the 09:35 leaving with only two passengers on board

New Anglianbus Network ~ First Day

Anglianbus new services seen at Market Gates this afternoon

Today was the first day of the new Anglianbus Network and eastnorfolkbus brings you observations from the day

Firstly, the X47 route is now the 7 Norwich/ Great Yarmouth Fasts, which start from Market Gates.With a basic thirty minute frequency, the 7 does not call at Acle enroute.

I saw many customers turn away from the Anglianbus vehicles to use First's X1 service at Market Gates.

As the 7 no longer serves Acle, I also witnessed a queue of about 25 forming at the Kings Head Public House waiting for a Great Yarmouth bound service at around 9:50. This was easily mopped up by First's X1

Anglianbus 453 was also on the 61 service to Great Yarmouth this morning
She is seen here turning into Gorleston High Street from Church Lane

The 601 Southwold/ Kessingland to Great Yarmouth service has also been renumbered 61; with destination displays showing 'Yarmouth via Lowestoft for Norwich Fast'. The 61 serves Kessingland at twenty minute intervals which are extended hourly to Southwold

The 781 Beccles to Great Yarmouth service is now 81 and the two workings I saw on the route this afternoon employed former Konect Optare Excels. One was 218 W218PRB, still in Konect colours, but wearing Anglianbus branding. Thanks to its driver, I am able to bring the photo of the 81 and 7 services working side by side at Market Gates this afternoon

It is probably too early to say how Anglian's new network performed today. If today's loadings on the Norwich Fasts are anything to go by, I feel that the service doesn't appear to be as successful as Konect's Dereham Fasts. But, as I say, it's early days yet!

One thing I should mention is that all the bus stop flags and information maps at Market Gates were all updated to reflect the new Anglianbus network. Well done to those concerned!