Another COVID-19 Mobile Test Centre

 A second former Oxford Bus Company Mercedes Benz Citaro has appeared in Great Yarmuth outside the Matalan store on Southtown Road.

Green liveried 840 BF55 OXF is being used by Norfolk County Council as a COVID-19 mobile testing centre, similar to 839 AF55 OXF seen outside the town's Britannia Pier during April 

My thanks to Will Drake for the photo and information which is also included on his own WD Bus & Coach Facebook site

Roy

Rail Replacement ~ Norwich

Rail replacement services are in use again this weekend with track renewal and structural work taking place on the Norwich to Ipswich and Norwich to Ely lines. Harry Holmes was at Norwich Station earlier today to photograph a number of vehicles in use.

Dan's Coach Travel was employing YS03 ZKF, the second of a pair of former First Essex Scania L94s recently acquired by them for rail replacement work. The other, YR52 VEH. featured in last weekend's report

Also of interest was the appearance of Greys of Ely's Van Hool TDX27 G17 ELY which was new to DJ Coaches of Gravesend as YJ14 CDF

Youngs Coaches of Haddenham also provided a couple of coaches.  Again members of the Galloway, G&G Travel, Sanders Coaches and Angie's Coaches fleets were in attendance so I have not included photos of the 'regulars' here.

My thanks to Harry for the photos

Roy

Coastal Red Decker in Service

Following Grahame's report on the first Double Decker to receive Coastal Red livery, Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37021 YJ06XKK was noted in service earlier today

After an early morning school's duty, the Gemini was employed on a Coastal Clipper 1B service and the pictures show it at Hemsby Beach - the northern terminus of the route

My thanks to AaronM for the photos

Roy

Friday Flashback ~ March 2010

This weeks Friday Flashback travels back to March 2010 when we revisit Gorleston High Street and end up in Ipswich

The first photo is at the latter on 1st March and features Plaxton Pointer bodied Dart 47626 N626 GAH. I later posted a photo of this on the blog and Jim Long commented 'Well all that batch came from Ipswich after being used on the then Superoute 66. They were all painted into the Anglia livery, so called by the chief who was in charge back then and all had 'Rail Link' on them too'

Our next subject is another First Eastern Counties Dart in the shape of 46375 M375 YEX in Gorleston High Street on the same date. It was new in January 1995 and met its end in February 2011 when it was collected from Caister Road by Erith Commercials for scrapping

Ipswich is our next location where Beestons YN54 OCJ is seen on Raleigh Road on 6th of the month heading to Sudbury on the 91 route. The East Lancs OmniDekka bodied Scania N94UD was formerly used as a Scania demonstrator

Our final photo is of Ipswich Buses Optare Excel 170 YG52 DGO in Princes Street being passed by Carter's Dennis Dart R707 YWC also on the 6th

Roy

First Coastal Red Double Deck Revealed

The First Double Deck vehicle to gain the new Coastal Red livery for Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft is former West Yorkshire Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37021 YJ06XKK.

It is pictured above awaiting its return to Caister Road earlier today, it was soon out in use on the 901 College service to Norwich.

Many Thanks to First for use of the photograph.

Grahame.

Service Alterations Registered ~ 9th June 2021

Yesterday's Notices and Proceedings Report, published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner, includes a couple of items of local interest.

First Eastern Counties has amended the route and timetable of its 913 service operating between Rackheath and Broadland High School, Hoveton from 27th May 2021.

A Public Inquiry is to be held at the Eastern Traffic Area Offices in Cambridge to consider the affairs of PTS Group (Norfolk) Limited of North Walsham on 28th June 2021. A Public Enquiry into its Transport Manager Matthew Wright will also be held at the same time.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here

Roy

Where Are They Now

A feature we tend to use on a regular basis is "Where are they now" Mark Doggett recently visited Devon and Somerset and stumbled upon three former Eastern Counties vehicles now with First South West operations.

First up is Dennis Trident 33233 LT52WWV seen above in Taunton wearing the base livery for First Kernow's Atlantic Coaster routes which have recently been upgraded.

Next we have 33235 LT52WWY pictured in Bridgewater heading for Taunton.

Finally we see 33242 LT52WVL which is now withdrawn at Bridgewater Depot in Somerset.

All three were new to First London before passing to Eastern Counties in 2009/10 where they spent their working life in Norwich.

Many Thanks to Mark for use of his excellent Photographs

Ensign Loan in Service

Following the collection of an ADL Enviro400 MC from Ensign at the weekend by First Eastern Counties, it was observed on Excel duties at Norwich Bus Station earlier this morning.

The decker is Ensign's YX66 WLH and is a temporary replacement for Scania/ADL Enviro 36902 YN69 XZE whilst repairs are effected

My thanks to Harry Holmes for the photos which are believed to be the first of it in service

Roy

Jubilee Update

Further changes have taken place at Rollesby-based Jubilee Coaches including the the first day of service yesterday for recently acquired YO52 FHA now registered as L333 JCR. The Plaxton bodied Javelin was previously with Norse

Other re-registrations include Javelins YM51 WGN becomeing L444 JCR whilst YO54 DRX is now L555 JCR. The previous holder of L444 JCR, formerly R682 DWS, is now withdrawn.

My thanks to Kevan Portas for the photos and for keeping me up to date with developments.

Roy

Beach Coach Station ~ Yesterday Evening

Five coaches were observed in the fading light at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station during yesterday evening with three of them involved in work for Alfa Travel.

Alfa's own Mercedes Benz Tourismos BV20 HNB and BV19 YYF were present as was Alfa chartered Commercial Coaches Volvo B11R Sunsundegui BU16 UYF

The second mentioned Tourismo was parked beside Gibbons Coaches Van Hool T917 Astron J200 SCC from South Wales

Making up the quintet was Johnson Brothers' (branded as Redfern Travel) Irizar i6S 600 RT, formerly registered as YM19 JJV

Roy

Rail Replacement ~ Norwich

David Bell has emailed to tell me 'there was significant rail replacement centred on Norwich this weekend. The line to Stowmarket/Ipswich was closed and there were also rail replacement buses running from Norwich to Wymondham and from Norwich to Grantham'

He was at Norwich on Saturday and he attached many photos to his email including this one of Eagles former Konnectbuis decker which has now been re registered from YJ05 PXD to M10 ENH

Also present was Dans' Coaches YR52 VEH a Scania L94/Wright previously with First Essex;

Volvo B9R /Caetano Levante .FJ13 ECT was operating to Grantham and is owned by G & G Coaches of Melton Mowbray

Galloway of Mendlesham was represented by another Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante in the form of FJ61 EYG which was new to Premiere of Nottingham

Other companies with a presence were Completely Business, Sharpes of Nottingham, Angies Travel of Lowestoft, Sanders' Coaches, Freestones Coaches, Panther Travel and M & M Coaches

My thanks to David for his report and photos

Roy

Lowestoft Reds

The first of Lowestoft's Coastal Red fleet have entered service this week with Enviro 200's 44532 & 44533 returning to the town outshopped in their new look.

 44532 SN62DBO pictured at the Bus Station working the 109 service through to Carlton Colville.

44533 SN62DBV seen leaving Gordon Road heading out to Gunton on the 101 service.

Sister 44531 is expected back on Monday after its refreshment.

Grahame.

Friday Flashback ~ February 2010

Before you know it, Friday is here again and time for another Friday Flashback. This time we travel back to February 2010

Our first photo is of North Quay Services' Neoplan Cityliner WJI 5242. The operator, trading as Eurosun Coaches, acquired it from Kings Ferry of Gillingham in late 1998. The coach is seen here on rail replacement duty at Great Yarmouth Railway Station on the 18th of the month.

For our next two photos we move to Gorleston High Street on the 25th February. The first shows two First Eastern Counties Dennis Dart SLFs with 42447 R447 CCV on the 2 to Barrack Estate leading similar 44251 R451 CCV on the 8A to Caister. They both came from First Devon & Cornwall in December and November 1997 respectively.

Further north in the High Street, another First Eastern Counties Dennis Dart in the form of 40114 M953 XVT is on the 2 to the James Paget Hospital via Shrublands Estate. Previously benefitting from an half hourly service, the estate now only sees one early morning outward and return service each day. The Dart joined the local fleet from First Potteries Motor Traction in April 1995 with its final resting place being Erith Commercials

The final photo is taken at Norwich Railway Station with another coach on rail replacement work on the 27th. Having travelled by rail to the fine city, the remainder of journey to Peterborough was on this Stagecoach East Midlands Jonckheere Mistral bodied Volvo B10M-62. S901 CCD was new to East Kent in October 1998 and has been much travelled; spending time with Stagecoach Bluebird, Stagecoach Warwickshire and Stagecoach Lincolnshire amongst others

Roy

Beach Coach Station Incumbents

Of the four coaches present at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station earlier today two of them were from Hull based Acklam Coaches and both were Volvo B9Rs. Plaxton Panther bodied ACZ 6694 was new to Logan of Dunley of North Ireland as YN13 GXO. Plaxton Elite PA63 ACK was formerly YH63 JUT

The third visitor was Forest Travel's FJ07 ABX based in Nottingham. The friendly driver told me the Jonckheere Mistral bodied Volvo B12B was acquired from Brent Thomas of Tonypandy. It was new to the Welsh operator in May 2007

The fourth coach was Mercedes-Benz Tourismo J300 RTG from the Roberts Travel Group of Leicestershire

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 2nd June 2021

There are some items of interest in today's Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

B R Shreeve & Sons has registered two new Monday to Friday schools services. They are the MILLS2 between the Butchers Arms Public House in Knodshall and Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham plus the MILLS3 from Saxmundham Primary School and Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham. Both start on 7th June 2021. The operator is also amending the timetable of its MILLS1 service from Leiston Road, Aldborough to the same school from the same date

Vertas has lodged a new application for three operating centres in Suffolk. Based at Landmark Business Park in Ipswich, it has applied for a Centre for eleven vehicles at the East Suffolk Council Depot on Rotterdam Road in Lowestoft.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Today At The Beach

There was a couple of visitors to Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station earlier today.



The first was YN67 CFE, an Iveco T600S Noone Touras representing Marshalls of Sutton-on-Trent. It was new to the Nottinghamshire operator in October 2017.



A welcome appearance from Alfa Travel was their Mercedes Benz Tourismo 121 BV20 HNE on a short break tour. Its presence was possibly an indication that things are starting to get back to some form of normality.

Roy

First Latest

A former South Yorkshire Volvo B7RLE at Caister Road is to have an engine rebuild. The bus concerned is 69031 SF55 UAZ and is seen inside the depot earlier today.

All five of First Great Yarmouth's StreetLites are now in the Coastal Reds livery and, with work starting on applying the colours to Lowestoft vehicles, Volvo B7RLE 69046 SF55 UBG and Dart 42921 EU05 AUN are on loan there covering as paint spares.

Previously not mentioned is the move of Volvo B9 37141 SN57 HDA to Thornton's for interior refurbishment and the loan of 37579 AU58 EDK from Norwich

My thanks to First for the information

Roy

Friday Flashback ~ January 2010

Friday Flashback returns after another hospital visit. We move on to January 2010 and our first photo is of Swift Taxis' S511 XCR on Regent Road after working a schools duty on the 5th. The Caetano Compass bodied Dart was obtained from Amza in December 2009 along with the acquisition of the business. I reported in January 2012 that had been acquired and placed in service by Shaws of Maxey, having received their blue and white livery.

Our second picture, taken on the 16th, features a First Eastern Counties Optare M920 Solo in a wet Norwich. EO02 NFA is shown on St Stephens Street heading for St Ives Road on service 9. It was new to First Essex in May 2002 and returned there after its stint with First Eastern Counties.

Norse 7133 OY53 RDV was working the Norwich Airport Park and Ride service on the same day. Observed at Norwich Bus Station, the operator had a number of these Irisbus Agoralines. It subsequently moved on to Norfolk Green

Finally, on 21st January, Shearings Holidays Setra S416GT-HD 118 BN09 FXH was seen lying over at Beach Coach Station in Great Yarmouth. It later became part of the Mayfields Travel fleet of Doncaster.

Roy

Angies Acquisition

Lowestoft based Angies Tours has another addition to its fleet in the shape of Higer Touring bodied Scania K410EB6 Y6 PJO

Its special registration plate belies the fact that it was originally YN66 WSK, ex Majestic Coaches, with a photo of it featuring on the blog in my Friday Round Up post of 24th May 2019

My thanks to Robbie Collins for the information and photos and apologies for the delay for the appearance of the picture which was out of our control.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 26th May 2021

There's just a few items of interest in today's Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner.

The first two are contained in the operator licensing part of the Report with the first comprising an application from City to Coast Day Tours from Stanwell in Staines-Upon-Thames. The applicant is registering a site at the East Point Centre at Pinbush Close in Lowestoft for the use of one vehicle.

The second entry is the conditional approval of a site at Monewden Airfield in Woodbridge for the use of four vehicles by Road & Air Vehicles Sales

B R Shreeve & Sons has registered a new Monday to Friday MILLS 1 schools service operating between Leiston Road in Aldeburgh and Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham commencing on 7th June 2021

The complete Notices and Proceedings Report is available to view here.

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Latest

This brief report on activity at First Great Yarmouth includes news that Enviro400 33812 YX63 LJZ is being fitted with a new rear axle

News on the Coastal Red repaints is that four of the five Great Yarmouth StreetLites now have the new livery. 47501/2/4/12 SN64 CPU/V/Y/CRZ have been completed with 47503 SN64 CPX outstanding. Next in line appears to be Lowestoft's 44531 SN62 AZW

Also at Caister Road, Lowestoft's Alexander Dennis Enviro200 44532 SN62 DBO was receiving its MOT whilst Volvo B7 32105 LT02 ZCU has returned to Norwich

My thanks to First for the information

Roy

Ryan sent 24 May at 12:

Jubilee Arrivals

There are two arrivals at Rollesby-based Jubilee Coaches and both of them are former Norse vehicles



YO54 DRX is a Dennis Javelin previously with a Ministry of Defence contractor whilst PN06 TVP is a Marcopolo bodied Transbus new to Holmeswood of Ormskirk in April 2006

Dennis Javelin L333 JCR has resumed its previous identity of S100 DJD and has left the company having being exported to Africa.

My thanks to Kevan Portas for the information and photos

Roy

Rail Replacement ~ Norwich Yesterday

With buses replacing trains between Norwich and Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft for another weekend, Will Mason has provided some photos of vehicles involved..



Operators on display during his visit to Norwich Station yesterday, included Ambassador Travel, Freestones Coaches and Galloway of Mendlesham. The latter was represented by Plaxton Centro bodied VDL SB220 AY09 BYC.



Great Yarmouth based Ambassador Travel sent along Caetano bodied Scania K340EB4 FJ09 DXE



An impressive vehicle there was Stagecoach Megabus liveried Van Hool 50307 SF13 FML branded for the Cardiff - Bristol - Heathrow Airport - Gatwick Airport service. It was carrying legals for Freestone Coaches

My thanks to Will for the photos

Roy