Buzzabout

People living in the Suffolk villages north of Lowestoft are able to get around more easily with their local bookable bus service - Buzzabout

Operated by BACT community transport and funded by East Suffolk Community Partnerships, Buzzabout is an on-demand bus service for residents of Gunton East, Somerleyton, Lound, Blundeston and St Olaves.

It operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm with trips able to be booked as little as an hour before travel (subject to availability)

Bookings can be made at www.buzzabout.co.uk, by email info@bactcommunitytransport.org.uk, or by calling 01986 896896 (Monday to Friday 9.00am-4.00pm

Source: East Suffolk Magazine

Roy

New Konectbus 717 Service Starts

Today saw the start of the new Konectbus 717 service connecting Norwich with Hemsby via Wroxham, Horning, Ludham, Potter Heigham and Martham.

The vehicle used on the inaugural run to Hemsby’s Kingsway was Dennis Trident/ ADL Enviro400 607 SN61 CZX and is seen there preparing for its return to the city.

My thanks to Chris Speed for the photo

Roy

Sanders Coaches Update

Time for an update on the comings and goings at North Norfolk-based operator Sanders Coaches



Firstly the three Optare Olympus bodied Scanias 120 PL09 ELJ, 121 PL09 EMJ and 122 PL09 ENJ have all left the fleet for Dons of Dunmow in Essex. All three were acquired from Johnsons of Henley in November 2015.



Yesterday Wright bodied VDL SB200 406 YJ59 AZN also left for pastures new having been privately preserved in Shropshire. Taylor Clements is the new owner who says it was new to Arriva and also operated with Go North East and Manchester Airport previously. He tells me the first thing he needs to do is to get it through its MOT!

Arrivals to report are two MCV Evolution bodied Volvo B7RLEs 534 KP12 BUS and 535 BF12 KWT. The latter was new as a Volvo demonstrator to National Express West Midlands. The former was previously with Hulleys of Baslow retaining is Pullham of Bourton-on-the-Water livery where it was new in March 2012. (Photos to follow)

My thanks to Liam for the update and photos and to Taylor for providing additional information.

Roy

First Update

First Essex Alexander Dennis Enviro400 33678 SN12 AEZ has been in the workshops at First's Great Yarmouth's Caister Road deport during the past week or so. The decker has received a new engine and should return to its Colchester base very soon

The other item to report is that Great Yarmouth heritage liveried Volvo B9 37562 FJ08 FYN is currently off the road undergoing repairs.

My thanks to First Great Yarmouth for the report.

Roy

Reform Bus Visits

As if you don't need reminding, there's now only a week to go before voters go to the polls for the general election. This means the political parties are now going all out to get your vote. One of the ways of getting the message across is to employ a bus to visit constituencies with only the Reform party appearing in our area at the moment.



Its 'Battle Bus' visited Beccles and Lowestoft yesterday in the form of Ayats bodied Volvo B7TL LX05 KOA. The open topper was new to the Original London Sightseeing Tour in August 2005.

My thanks to Ashley for the photo who did his utmost to get the best shot from the passenger side of the car.

Roy

Norwich Electroliner in Colchester

John Podgorski reports First Eastern Counties Wright StreetDeck Electroliner 36580 BK73 AKU visited the University of Essex at Colchester earlier this month (7th June). It is understood it was for "Publicity Purposes"



Thanks for the information and photo John

Roy

Lynx Look In

On Monday Paul Copley was travelling around Norfolk by bus with his Norfolk Fusion ticket when he observed two new buses at Kings Lynn and West Norfolk operator Lynx.



He provides photos of ADL Enviro 200MMC's YY24 ELC and YY24 ELJ which were both devoid of fleet names.



He also adds the open top bus acquired from Yellow Bus has now been repainted red, Unfortunately he was unable to identify it as the bus was parked at the back of the garage and blocked in.(see photo)

My thanks to Paul for the information and photos

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 26th June 2024

There are no entries of 'local' interest in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report. However, the full report will be available to be viewed here soon.

Roy

Remember The Gasbuses?

Remember the old MAN gas buses operated locally by Beccles-based Anglianbus? Well they're still running in Plymouth.



Thirteen of them were acquired new by Anglian in three batches - six in November 2012, four in January 2013 with a further three appearing two months later. They were subsequently transferred from Go Ahead East Anglia in October 2016 to Plymouth City Bus



Regular contributor Mark Doggett was on Royal Parade in Plymouth yesterday morning where he observed quite a number of them still plying their trade in red city bus colours



Thanks Mark for the photos. If you are interested in bus activity in the Plymouth area then I recommend you visit the Plymothian Transit website.

Roy

Another Leeds City Green In Service

Another First West Yorkshire Wright StreetDeck was on its second day in service with First Eastern Counties today.



Leeds City Green liveried 35282 SL67 VXK was employed on the 36 route between Horsford and Long Stratton when seen by Dan High



Thanks Dan for the photos

Roy

Another EATM Visitor

Another visitor to the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville yesterday was Kings Tours of Colchester's Mercedes Benz Tourismo KC70 ABC. The private plate recognises the 70th anniversary of the business.

My thanks to Andy Swan for the photo.

Roy

Norfolk Classic Bus & Coach Show

Yesterday saw the inaugural Norfolk Classic Bus & Coach Show held at the Thursford Steam Museum with almost thirty vehicles in attendance.

Dan High has provided a selection of photos of some of the buses and coaches appearing including one of these two double deckers. Eastern Coach Works bodied Bristol VR VPW 85S is a former Eastern Counties bus whilst GOG 205W is an ex Travel West Midlands MCW Metrobus of 1981.

The next one shows former Keighley & District Leyland Lynx G293 KWY. Alter working for Stotts Coaches and Cleveland Transit, among others, the Lynx is observed in its Sovereign Coaches livery.

A representative of the former Kenzie's Coaches fleet, based at Shepreth in Cambridgeshire, was Volvo B10M/ Van Hool Alizee D30 BEW.

A 1949 Duple bodied Bedford OB also appeared in the form of MHU 49. New to Bristol Tramways it is now part of the Bristol Omnibus Vehicle collection.

The penultimate photo is that of Great Yarmouth Transport liveried AEC Swift 85 WEX 685M. It was new to Great Yarmouth Corporation in October 1973.

The final contribution is that of Sanders Coaches Bedford VAL-70/ Plaxton Panorama SNT 925H

Thanks for the photos Dan

Roy

Beach Coach Station Afternoon

A total of seven vehicles were parked up at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station late this afternoon.



An unusual visitor was New Bharat Coaches' VDL Futura double decker WJ20 ECY. The Southall-based operator also sent along Neoplan Tourliner OO20 NBC.



The striking red and yellow colours of Kent-based Farleigh Coaches fleet was represented by their Scania/ Irizar Century JEZ 9736, previously registered YN07 LEF.



Next up is former National Holidays Mercedes-Benz Tourismo NH69 FHH which is now with Caledonian Coaches



Kearney of Tamworth's Scania / Irizar YT24 BJY was next in line disguised with its Grand UK Holidays branding.



The local area was represented by a very smart blue liveried Setra - YR10 JCR from the Jubilee Coaches fleet based in Rollesby. It had been reregistered from BK10 EKA

The final coach was Alfa Travel's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BV22 WTO with similar BV20 HNG observed outside the New Beach Hotel on way back home. Both are regular visitors to the town and have featured on the blog many times

Roy

Bus Of Confusion

A second former Leeds City StreetDeck is the subject of today's post which may have caused some confusion for its passengers this morning in only its second day of service.



John Hutchison caught the First Eastern Counties 35290 SL67 VXU green bus on the 13 Attleborough Turquoise Line route on his way to Morrisons. Its destination unfortunately doesn't show on the main photo above but the second photo does show the correct display.



Having occupied a seat downstairs, the inside display did show something a little bit different. It featured a 13 route to Leeds City Corn Exchange!! Interesting......



My thanks to Mary Hutchison for the photos which were taken on White Woman Lane in Old Catton

Roy

Leeds StreetDeck moves to Norwich

Recently transferred to First Eastern Counties at Norwich is First West Yorkshire Wright StreetDeck 35288 SL67 VXS.



It arrived on tow yesterday morning with Dan High's father providing photos of it still with Leeds City Green branding.

Thanks Dan for forwarding the photos on to us.

Roy

EATM Visitor

An unusual visitor to the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville yesterday was preserved London Transport AEC Routemaster RM2208 CUV208C




Also present was Simonds Van Hool bodied Volvo B12B 8333 UR. My thanks to Andy Swan for the photos

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 19th June 2024

Just a single item of 'local' interest appears in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

First Eastern Counties amended the timetable of its X1 Great Yarmouth Market Gates to Lowestoft Bus Station service from 26th May 2024

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to view here soon.

Roy 

Beach Coach Station Today

Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station was host to three coaches earlier this afternoon.



They were Simonds Volvo B12B TCF 496, Completely Coach Travel's Caetano Levante BX16 CKO and Alfa Travel's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BF24 AOW

Roy

New Norwich To Hemsby Service

Starting on the 29th of June is the new Konectbus 717 service linking Norwich with Hemsby via Wroxham, Horning, Ludham, Potter Heigham and Martham. Initially it will run on Saturdays only with additional journeys on Wednesdays during the summer school holidays.

It provides the opportunity to explore the Broads and also visit Hemsby Beach plus How Hill at Ludham and trails at Potter Heigham Bridge,

London In Great Yarmouth

There was an unexpected appearance of a London Transport RTL on Great Yarmouth seafront earlier this evening! RTL 1163 (LYF 104) was on a training run from the East Anglian Transport Museum.



Roy

London In Worthing!

An unusual visitor to Worthing yesterday was a former London Transport bus. LK58 EDO is a Wrightbus Gemini 2 previously with First Centerwest and Tower Transit



The decker is now owned by London Bus Group and is seen here parked at a bus stop outside Worthing Hospital earlier today with its blind showing Special Service. It is not known what it was doing there and there was no sign of the driver!



Thanks to my daughter for supplying the photos

Roy

Thursday Outing

This afternoon I had some shopping to pick up in Great Yarmouth so I looked in at Beach Coach Station.



Four coaches were parked up and they included Garston-based The Big Coach Company's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo CX16 WDT and Star Coaches' VDL Bova Futura FHD2-129 ST19 TAR. Making up the numbers were regulars KM Travel's VDL Bova M200 KMT and Alfa Travel's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BV20 HNG.



At the north end of the coach station was Completely Coach Travel's Jonckheere bodied Volvo B12BT S28CCT. It was new to First Aircoach of Dublin as 08-D-70461 in 2008



Noted on the open top seafront 1C service was First Eastern Counties Volvo B9 37068 CRZ 599 - ex First York YK57 EZX



Roy

Dolphin Withdrawal

Norwich-based Dolphin Autos have withdrawn their Bova Futura OIG 5924 from service with its next journey being a one way visit to the scrap man.



Dolphin acquired the Bova from Williams of South Wales in August 2020 although it was new to Gibson of Moffatt, Scotland as SA02 VKH in April 2002 .

My thanks to Dan High for the photo.

Roy

Ex First Eastern Counties Decker Goes Topless

Regular contributor Mark Doggett made a further visit to Ensignbus' premises in Purfleet this morning.

Whilst there he found former First Eastern Counties Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL 37408 MX58 DXV which had recently been converted to an open topper. Now in Bubblegum Blue livery, Ensign plans to use it on its 99 route between Southend Pier and Shoeburyness East Beach

MX58 DXV was new to First Manchester in October 2008 with First Eastern Counties acquiring the decker from First West of England in June 2022.

My thanks to Mark for the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 12th June 2024

Just the one item of 'local' interest appears in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

Sanders Coaches amended the timetable of its 34 service between North Walsham Post Office and the former Stalham Railway Station site from the 2nd June 2024.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to view here soon.

Roy

Sanders Update

 Another recent arrival to report is ex Cardiff Bus Scania L94UB WX06JYA.

New to Thamesdown, Swindon it then became 770 in the Cardiff fleet before recently arriving in Norfolk with Sanders, it carries fleet number 324.

It is pictured at the Old Railway Station in Stalham where it was waiting to depart for North Walsham on the 34 service.

Grahame.

First Great Yarmouth Update

The latest is that First Norwich Blue Line Volvo B9 36176 BD11 CGE was helping out in Norwich yesterday on a First Great Yarmouth Bernard Matthews contract following the failure of Coastal Red Volvo B9 37663 AU58 ECA in the city. The Norwich vehicle, shown here on a previous visit to Gorleston, was returned to Roundtree Way last night.



Currently in the Caister Road workshops is Lowestoft's B9 37142 SN57 HDC having its MOT whilst Alexander Dennis Enviro400 33810 YX63 LJU's engine is receiving attention. Also under repair is Wright StreetLite 47512 SN64 CRZ.

Open top 37069 YK57 EZZ is awaiting signage to be applied before it can enter service.

My thanks to First Great Yarmouth for the update report

Roy

Recent Sheringham Visitors

Tony Wilson has been in contact once more with pictures of two recent visitors to Sheringham in the past few days.



The first was observed was on Monday in the form of Cozy's Coaches Neoplan CO12 ZYO. Its original registration proved difficult to find until David Beardmore came up with PO63 FNA - which was new to Seaview of Parkstone



Another sighting later in the week was that of ICT Coaches of Ringland's BF68 ZFT. a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo.

My thanks to Tony for the information and photos

Roy

Fakenham Lynx

Mark Doggett was in Oak Street, Fakenham this morning where he espied a Lynx double decker. It was their ADL Enviro400 MMC YH73 PHJ on its way to Kings Lynn on the 49a route,

My thanks to Mark for the photo

Roy