Norwich Yesterday

Despite the bad weather yesterday, with snow/sleet falling in Norwich, Dan High was observing activity in Castle Meadow.



His first photo shows First Eastern Counties' electroliners coping with the situation. Wright GB Kite 63637 BK24 AAJ passes Wright StreetDeck 36547 BK73 AGO during the shower.



Simonds/ Central Connect ADL Enviro200 MMC YY24 HBJ is also seen arriving in Norwich with the 82 service from Reydon



With the sleet abating, Konectbus ADL Enviro200 9272 LX09 AZC was noted on Driver Training duties.



Central Connect's similar YX12 FPY was also on the 82 route. It started life with M.W.Nicoll of Laurencekirk in Scotland in July 2012 and has later seen employment with a number of operators including Tyrers Coaches and Galleon Travel among others.



Eastons Coaches' VDL FHD2-129YK16 SUA also put in an appearance - new to them in June 2016.



The final photo was supplied by Dan Pretty which depicts BorderBus ADL Enviro 103 YX12 AEY in a snow shower on St Stephen's Street.

My thanks to the two Dans for supplying the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 20th November 2024

For the third consecutive week there are no 'local interest' entries in the latest East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report. Nevertheless, the complete report will be available for viewing here soon.

Roy

Sanders' Update

Another update from Sanders Coaches which includes new purchase, Volvo B11R/Plaxton MW17 DEV, now re-registered as W30 SCL. It wears fleet number 930.



Completed last week was the repaint of Scania L94 Wright Solar 324 WX06 JYA, now named Tornado, the original name it carried when at Thamesdown.



Finally a pair of Volvo B7s have been laid up for now with one being 515 FJ57 CZN

My thanks to Liam for the update and photos

Roy

Ex Norwich Decker To Become Burger Bar

A former First Eastern Counties Plaxton President-bodied Volvo B7TL is embarking on its latest journey to Hampshire. The bus, formerly known as First Norwich 32203 LT52 WTJ, is set to be transformed into Speedys Burger Bar, located on an industrial estate in Eastleigh.



Originally introduced in October 2002 to CentreWest of London as VTL 1023, it was transferred to First Eastern Counties in March 2010. After new timetables were introduced in March of the subsequent year, 32203 was among ten buses relocated to Great Yarmouth. It later returned to Norwich, where it received the Purple Line livery. Its service ended earlier this year leading to its acquisition by Ensign at Purfleet.

My thanks Liam for the heads up

Roy

Sunny Sightings

Today's welcome sunshine, following a week of grey skies, inspired a drive along the Great Yarmouth seafront. Three coaches were spotted, all Mercedes Benz Tourismos, with two using the town as a base for a trip to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular.



The first sighting was of two vehicles opposite the Wellington Pier with Welsh's Tours W6 HOL captured first.



Close by was Caledonian Travel's NH18 BGH, previously part of the National Holidays' fleet.



The last visitor was Crawley Luxury Coaches' CLC 789 from West Sussex, formerly known as BD18 TNK.

Roy

We Meet Again

At lunchtime on a recent Wednesday, Jdraves1 was observing activity at Bury St Edmunds Bus Station when Dan's Coach Travel's Volvo B10BLE/ Wright Renown B21 DCT arrived and parked up.



Shortly after another Volvo B10BLE appeared in the form of Fareline Coach Services' T127 OAH on the 320 service from Eye. The photo shows it on its return journey.



They were both new to Great Yarmouth-based Ambassador Travel in March 1999 as their 522 and 524 for use on Norwich Park & Ride services with B21 DCT originally being registered as T125 OAH.



Many thanks to Jdraves1 for the use of his photos.

Roy

Coach Services' Acquisitions ~ Updated

Regular contributor Jdraves1 reports Coach Services' acquisition of Volvo B7RLE BT63 UUR from Simonds of Diss. This is one of a pair that has recently joined the fleet with the other being BT63 UUP.



The other news to report is that the Thetford based operator has recently acquired Scania N94UD YN07 EYX from Sanders Coaches 

Many thanks for the photo and report

Roy

Caister Road Update

The latest from First's Caister Road depot is that Volvo B9 37579 AU58 EDK has passed its MOT and is now back on the road.



Meanwhile, two ex London United Alexander Dennis Enviro200s stationed at Lowestoft, 44451 YX09 HKK and 44453 YX09 HKN, have been withdrawn pending a decision on their future.

Coastlink liveried Enviro400s 33805 YX63 LJK, 38807 YX63 LJN and 33808 YX63 LJO are still off the road

My thanks to First for the information

Roy

Thursford Visitors

Regular contributor David Bell has been in touch and has provided the following report and photos



'The Christmas Spectacular concerts have started at Thursford so it being a mild November day I thought I'd have a trip over there to see if anything interesting turned up for the 2pm concert.



Most of the sixteen coaches which arrived had travelled some distance with the prize for furthest distance travelled going to Midway Coaches of Crymych in Pembrokeshire - about 350 miles.



Although strictly not in the area covered by the blog I thought you'd like to see a selection of photographs. The long distance coaches must be staying in the area so you may well see them in Norwich, Great Yarmouth or Cromer



Details of the photos attached:-
BV18 AYH Volvo B11 of Ham of Flimwell in East Sussex
GK16 KXL Tourismo of Crosskeys of Folkestone in Kent
GRZ 443 (originally SF14 JJY) Volvo 9700 Lochs and Glens (Greenslades)



DH21 DON Tourismo of Dons of Dunmow
DJ65 DJT Van Hool of Thomas of Neath South Wales
MM23 WAY Tourismo of Midway Coaches of Crymych in Pembrokeshire'

I am very grateful to David for sharing his photos and providing the descriptions to go with them.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 13th November 2024

For the second consecutive week there are no 'local' interest entries in the East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report. Nevertheless, the complete report will be available for viewing here soon.

Roy

StreetDeck Repaint

First Eastern Counties Leeds City Green liveried Wright StreetDeck 35282 SL67 VXK was noted in Norwich yesterday evening sporting First's new corporate livery.



Again my thanks to Dan High for his report and photo

Roy

Soccer Specials

Yesterday afternoon, Dan High was at Carrow Road in Norwich, showing his support for Norwich City Football Club. While there, he captured several coaches providing transport for football fans.



The main local contributors were the Belle Coaches and Sanders Coaches fleets as the photo shows with the former's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BC60 BEL at the head of the line.



Also in attendance was SALEC Travel's Setra W939 GAG from Shipdham. Previously part of Coachpoint of Aldershot's fleet it is still adorned in their livery.



One of the coaches transporting the away team's supporters was Turners of Bristol's Irizar i8 BC20 BUS.

My thanks to Dan for sharing the photographs. For the record, the Canaries suffered a loss, falling to 14th place in the Championship.

Roy

Remembrance Sunday

With Remembrance weekend upon us I am featuring some local buses adorned with poppies to remember the fallen.

At the beginning of the month outside First Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot wsa Volvo B9 36284 LX59 DBO, acquired from London General in October 2022.

Yesterday regular contributor Dan High provided provided photos of Norwich buses receiving the same treatment. His first photo features First Eastern Counties Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner 36542 BK73 AFU being passed by Konectbus Optare Versa 305 YJ60 KGU which was new to Anglianbus.

Also observed was newly arrived Konectbus Volvo B7 509 LX06 EAC also featuring the poppy

Our final contribution is from Kevan Portas showing LNER’s 91 111 named “For The Fallen”.at Doncaster propelling a Leeds-London service back in June this year.

My thanks to Dan for the Norwich photos and to Kevan for the Doncaster photo.

Roy

Gorleston Trio

Despite yesterday's dull grey day, I ventured out to walk to Gorleston Library to return and borrow some books.



Leaving the library, I noticed the time matched the expected arrival of a BorderBus service from Great Yarmouth, which would head to Harleston. With 'lighting up' time approaching and the light fading, I decided to photograph its departure. To check the lighting, I first snapped a shot of First Eastern Counties Pride bus, Volvo B9 36202 BN12 WOC.



Reasonably satisfied with the quality, I noticed the BorderBus decker was immediately behind it in the photo and subsequently got a picture of it about to make the same turn. I was pleased to see that it was one of the AVA registered ones being their Scania OmniCity 213 BB10 AVA with the Alde Valley Academy branding now removed.



Continuing my walk home, I passed East Norfolk Sixth Form College as students dispersed for the day. Among the vehicles present was Sanders Coaches' Volvo B7RLE / MCV 533 SW63 TAV with the patient driver waiting departure time for the 6 to North Walsham.

Roy

Norwich Activity Today

Today marked the debut of Sanders Coaches' newly branded X55 MCV Evora bodied Volvo B8RLE 526 BV72 KKA 'Roger Parker'. It was spotted on the route at Norwich Bus Station by Dan High.



Dan also observed Wrights Coaches Volvo B11RT / Plaxton Elite R25 PTS during its layover at Castle Meadow close to the entrance to Castle Mall.



Additionally, he checked what was operating on Simonds' route 82 to Royden and saw their ADL Enviro200 9383 MX was waiting time.



At the Dolphin Autos' depot in the city, he encountered their KAC1. Contrary to its plate's previous association with a Mercedes-Benz it is now an Irizar-bodied Scania, though its former identity remains a mystery. (see comment below)



Once again, my thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 6th November 2024

There are no 'local' interest entries in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report. Nevertheless, the complete report will be available for viewing here soon.

Roy

Norwich Earlier Today

Regular contributor Dan High was stationed at his usual spot on Castle Meadow earlier today, capturing some activity in Norwich.



His first catch was a photo of the recent transfer from First Essex Volvo B9 37140 SN57 HCZ on its first day of service with First Eastern Counties. Formerly from Colchester, it was seen operating the X29 service from Fakenham.

Simmonds' former Lodge Coaches East Lancs-bodied VDL DB250 YJ56 KCK was once more utilised for the 82 service to Roydon.



A few of the First Eastern Counties Wright StreetDecks were spotted on atypical routes, including 35286 SL67 VXP on the 11 to Hethersett and 35150 SN67 OMU on the 14 to Wymondham.



Our thanks to Dan for his continual contributions of photos and updates.

Roy

Megabus M87 Service

Further to David Slater's post regarding the reduction of Megabus services in England (Megabus Route To Be Axed - 31st October 2024) he tells me its been some time since he looked at what was running on the 09:10 Megabus Birmingham-Cambridge-Norwich service M87.



He continues 'To my surprise rather than it being Prospect Coaches it was, on both Saturday 2 November and Sunday 3 November 2024, the same coach of Thandi Executive Coaches of Smethwick (TH18 NDY), a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo new to Shearings Holidays (148) in June 2018 registered BU18 YTC.

The enclosed picture was taken on Sunday 3 November 2024 at 1214 as the coach passed through Fiveways, Barton Mills. The scheduled intermediate timings on this trip are Coventry (1000), Cambridge (1135), Norwich (UEA) (1305) and Norwich (Bus Station) (1315).

Only a few weeks remaining before Megabus withdraws this and most other services it operates in England. In this case Sunday 1 December will be the last date of operation'.

Many thanks for the information and photo David

Roy

Coastlink Enviro400s

A number of First Eastern Counties coastlink Alexander Dennis Enviro400s are awaiting attention at Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot.



They include 33805 YX63 LJK (gearbox issues), 33807 YX63 LJN (pictured) and 33814 YX63LKC (electric fault)

Also awaiting attention is Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini 36286 LX59 DBV with a compressor issue.

My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

Deckers Return

The latest update from First's Caister Road depot reveals the return of two double-decker buses to the town. 

The first is City Clipper branded part open-top Volvo B7 32348 LK53 LKL which has come back after spending the summer in Norwich.

The second update is that Coastlink branded Enviro400 33818 YX63 LKG has returned after undergoing repairs at Full Circle.

My thanks to First for the update and photos.

Roy

Megabus Route To Be Axed

David Slater has confirmed that Megabus will reduce several of its services within England starting early December, leading to the discontinuation of their Norwich service after December 1st. The service, which ran twice daily over the summer, has been operating only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the past few weeks.

A background item on the RouteOne website (which doesn’t specifically mention Norwich) can be seen here



The service has more recently been worked by Prospect Coaches of Lye (in the West Midlands) and Tony Wilson's photo shows their Scania K410 HigerTouring PR73 EMA in Norwich Bus Station in April this year

My thanks to David for the information and to Tony for the use of his photo.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 30th October 2024

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report features only one entry of local interest. 

Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire Limited has been granted approval to expand their fleet to three vehicles at their Sco Ruston operating centre on Church Street.

The complete Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to be viewed here soon.

Roy

Today's Visitors

Having to provide a lift for an early train at Great Yarmouth Railway Station, it gave me the chance to briefly explore the Beach Coach Station and the seafront area to check for any coaches.



Indeed, there were five coaches spotted, with only one utilizing the Beach Coach Station which was Olympia Travel's Irizar i6 YR18 CME adorned with Just Go! Holidays branding.



Another coach from the Wigan-based Olympia fleet was seen by the Sealife Centre on Marine Parade, Jonckheere SHV-bodied Volvo B11R BU16 UWY sporting a National Holidays livery.



Behind it was Forest Travel Holidays' MCV-bodied Volvo B11R BV19 LMX.



Additionally, parked outside the New Beach Hotel were two Mercedes-Benz Tourismos, BV22 WTR and BV20 HNC belonging to Alfa Travel, both frequent visitors to the town.

Roy