Simonds in Beccles

Diss operator Simonds began its 581 service today to link up with Borderbus 580 as part of the Waveney Line initiative

I was in time to see the 12:15 departure from Beccles to Diss via Bungay and Harleston and I wasn't the only photographer there recording the event. A very clean looking MCV Evolution bodied Volvo B7RLE, in the form of BT13YTF, performed the duty with a very smart and friendly driver at the wheel

Minutes later the Old Market area was full of buses with the Simonds Volvo being surrounded by Borderbus vehicles, With the Anglianbus 81 due any minute, I was wondering how it would gain access to any of the stands! However, before it arrived the two Borderbus examples departed - to be immediately replaced with one of their deckers, X643LLX, arriving for a Beccles Town Service

Unsurprisingly the Anglian gas bus finally appeared on the 81 and had to wait for a few minutes in Smallgate before it could gain access to the stand! How times have changed

Also commencing today was the Our Hire (Our Bus) service 86 between Beccles and Poringland via Loddon with Iveco FH05OXS being employed

Roy