Saturday, 26 July 2025

Two Deckers On Loan

Two double-deckers are on loan to First Great Yarmouth today. They are Volvo B9 36183 BN12 JYF, in Eastern Counties red livery, and Wright StreetDeck 35286 SL87 VXP in Ultraviolet colours.



With the onset of rain, the latter’s first duty was the 1C Great Yarmouth to Hemsby service replacing an open topper on the route.

My thanks to First Great Yarmouth for the information and to James Clarke for the use of his photo which shows 35286 at a deserted Pleasure Beach

Roy

Grange Travel In Gorleston

This afternoon, before the rains came. I discovered a Van Hool TX25 Astromega parked up on the Lower Esplanade in Gorleston. I immediately suspected it was one of Completely Coach Travel's vehicles without any fleet names on the side.



However, as I got closer I noticed it wasn't as it had a 29 GT registration. I glanced at the legal lettering and found it to be a member of the Grange Travel Coach Hire fleet of Gravesend in Kent. Further homework revealed it to originally have the registration KN23 FUP.

Roy

Friday, 25 July 2025

Norwich Interloper

This morning there appears to be a foreigner in the camp at First Norwich's Vulcan Road depot. It is First Essex ADL Enviro400 MMC 33981 SN65 OFW.


As it is in 'Ultraviolet Pride' livery, it is assumed it is in the city for the Norwich Pride event being held tomorrow..

Many thanks to our anonymous contributor for his photo

Roy

Thursday, 24 July 2025

Beach Coach Station Ten

I observed a multi-coloured gathering of ten coaches at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station just after midday yesterday.



First snapped was Country Lion's Northampton-based Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B9 L1 ONB in its red colour scheme.



Up next is a photo of Landmark Coaches Neoplan N2216/3SHDC Tourliner BMZ 4979 which was earlier registered as PN13 TFF.



The third photo is of Pats Coaches of Wrexham's Scania K360IB4 / Higer YN22 YMR in its Shearings.com livery



Our final offering shows three Alfa Travel Mercedes-Benz Tourismos which have visited the town before. They were A135 BV22 WTR, A148 BF24 AOW and A159 BV25 LZO.

The remaining four were also pervious visitors to the Coach Station. They comprised Kings Tours KC22 ABC, Coach Services YN17 OLW, Wrights Coaches W25 PTS and Green Line GC18 GLC.

Roy

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Ambassador's Wherry Service

Today saw the introduction of the 100 Wherry bus service between Vauxhall Holiday Park and the town's seafront with a new operator.



Ambassador Travel was employing their Scania 280CB / Higer Fencer 617 Y23 BDF on the route this morning and it appears the damp weather didn't attract too many customers. The Scania is seen outside the Pub on the Prom on Marine Parade and is about to leave with the 11:55 service.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 23rd July 2025

Just the one entry of local relevance in this week's Notices and Proceedings Report, published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner. It concerns the timetable revision to Sanders Coaches' 54 service between North Walsham Travel Hub and Norwich Bus Station from 20th July 2025

The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here soon
Roy

Tuesday, 22 July 2025

Two BorderBus Demonstrators!

Andrew Watts provides information on recent workings in the Great Yarmouth area by BorderBus on its 580 route.

'Over the last few months, it has been more and more common to see one of the BorderBus Envrio400 MMC deckers (217 or 218) working the longer 580 duty that includes the Harleston extensions and today was no exception with the approximately one year old 218 (BB74 BUS) making its way between Bungay and Great Yarmouth.



Rather unusually, however, 218 was joined today on the 580 by not one, but two (!) saloon demonstrators in the form of the Volvo BZL Electric BV72 KPF and ADL Enviro200 MMC 
YY25 DKX.

As previously reported, the Electric demonstrator has been working the 146 since mid-last week, but today was the first time it had the treat of visiting Great Yarmouth. The Enviro200 MMC was in use for the first time with BorderBus today.



The first picture shows a rather well loaded BV72 KPF working the 13:30 Yarmouth to Bungay journey snapped on Beaufort Way, Gorleston. The second, taken less than 5 minutes later, shows YY25 DKX working in the opposite direction, having left Bungay at 13:16.'

I am very grateful to Andrew for his detailed report and the use of his photos.

Roy

Monday, 21 July 2025

StreetDecks Still Here!

Regular contributor Dan High provides photos of activity in Norwich city centre earlier today and it is interesting to note that at least two First Ipswich Wright StreetLDecks remain active in the area



Observed were 35926 BN72 TVY and 35911 BN72 TVC with the former appearing on the 36 service to Horsford



Another notable working was Wright StreetLite 63324 SK65 PXE on the 39 to Mile Cross - normally operated by the smaller wheelbase version of the model.

My thanks to Dan for his photos

Roy

Sunday, 20 July 2025

Reepham Road Stored Deckers

'Ashleybus400' paid a visit to First Eastern Counties' Reepham Road premises in Norwich earlier today where there are now eleven former First West Yorkshire double-deckers.



He has provided photos of the group of vehicles through his X account and has ben able to identify them all. They are, in order on the photos, (from left to right)

39236 - BP11 JWW
39222 - BP11 JWD
39221 - BP11 JWA
39227 - BP11 JWL
39225 - BP11 JWF (behind 39227)
39230 - BP11 JWJ
39202 - BJ60 BZB
39203 - BJ60 BZC
39223 - BP11 JWC
39205 - BJ60 BZE
39224 - BP11 JWE



The buses are owned by Ensign and are being stored there until space is available at their Purfleet premises. There are various rumours about their subsequent destination which I have had no confirmation of.

Incidentally, the Reepham Road site has recently been removed as an operating centre by First Eastern Counties. My thanks to Ashley for his information and photos

Roy

Saturday, 19 July 2025

Ipswich StreetDecks Work City Services

After their use on University of East Anglia Graduation Shuttles during the week, some of the First Ipswich Wright StreetDecks were noted on the City's public bus services earlier today.



'Ashleybus' provides photos, via X, of three of them with the first being 35927 MF72 WBE on St Stephen's Street working an X41 to Halesworth. It was on the 41/X41 route for most of the day.



The second features 35919 BN72 TVO on Rampant Horse Street being employed on the 21 between the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and Old Catton



The last shows 35911 BN72 TVC outside the former Debenhams building on Red Lion Street on its way from the University of East Anglia to the Riverside.

My thanks to Ashley for the use of his photos.

Roy

Friday, 18 July 2025

Wherry Service 100 Returns

In our post of 28th June we mentioned that Our Bus was cancelling three of its routes from the end of August and would not be running the 100 Wherry bus service between Vauxhall Holiday Park and the town's seafront this year.



The service was supported by the Wherry Line Community Rail Partnership who have now managed to get the route reintroduced this year but with a different operator, Ambassador Travel. It will run between the dates of 23rd July and 30th August with the timetable able to viewed on the Ambassador Travel website here

My thanks to Steve Hewitt of the East Norfolk Transport Users Association for bringing this to our attention.

Roy

Thursday, 17 July 2025

BorderBus Electric Demonstrator

On its second day out on the BorderBus 146 Norwich to Southwold service, I got a couple of photos of the Volvo BZL Electric Demonstrator BV72 KPF in south Lowestoft.



The photos were both taken at the 'Pakefield Morrisons Bus Stop', even though it’s outside the new Sainsbury's store!!



BV72 KPF was operating the 10:20 from Norwich which was running about ten minutes late.

Roy

Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Service Alterations Registered ~ 16th July 2025

This week's Notices and Proceedings Report, published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner, contains no information concerning changes to local bus services. The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

First Great Yarmouth Latest

The latest news from First Great Yarmouth is that two deckers are on loan from Norwich to cover shortages and they are Volvo B9s 37525 YN58 ETT and 36180 BD11 CDZ



Similar 36190 BN12 JYP requires a new axle so will be off the road for a little while and 36186 BN12 JYJ is at Full Circle undergoing accident repairs.



My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

Monday, 14 July 2025

First Ipswich Deckers On Loan

With the help of of our Norwich correspondent Dan High, I am pleased to provide you with photos of some of the buses in use on University of East Anglia Graduation Shuttles earlier today.



As in previous years, double deckers have been borrowed from First Ipswich to undertake the work.



Dan noted at least six of the Wright StreetDecks in use which included BN72 TVK/O/P/U/Y and
MF72 WBE



I am grateful to Dan for the use of his photos



Roy

Seaside Special

Yesterday was the second day of the East Anglia Transport Museum's Seaside Special and I went along to see what was on offer.



As at previous events, First was providing park and ride services from Ashburnham Way to Carlton Colville which was worked by Wright StreetDeck 35179 SK16 GUW in the latest ultraviolet livery. On arrival situated close to the site entrance was another Lowestoft decker in the form of Volvo B9 36200 BN12 WOA complete with First Norwich branding - presumably on standby.



Apart from the usual local participants, former Hedingham Leyland Tiger L148 WPH 135Y was about to board its passengers for a trip out. The vehicle was new to London Country in August 1982 with an Eastern Coach Works body which was replaced in February1994 with an East Lancs version.



Two open toppers also graced the yard - Eastern Transport Collection's ex Eastern Counties Bristol VR OT3 JNG 50N and ex Eastern National Bristol KSW5G WNO 479 (pictured).

After paying the entrance fee, we entered the site and was immediately attracted to the Punch and Judy show in the picnic area. The adults seemed to be joining in and enjoying the attraction more than the children were!!



Whilst watching, I noticed out of the corner of my eye an unrestored double decker was on display on the road next to the railway. I managed to tear myself away from Mr Punch and his battle with the crocodile to see that the bus was Great Yarmouth Corporation Leyland PD2 EX 6566 currently under restoration.



After looking around the exhibitions we decided to have lunch at the café and enjoyed a freshly made cheese and pickle sandwich washed down with a strong cup of coffee. We then had a couple of Blackpool Tram rides comprising Terror Tram 634 and Marton VAMBACH 11.



Shortly after I caught up with an old friend who had recently jointly purchased former Maidstone & District HKL 826, a 1946 AEC Regal with a Beadle OB35F body. He said it should be out for a run soon so we took the opportunity to climb aboard before it started its first trip.



After a few circuits of the museum's roads, we alighted and made our way to the buses operating trips from the museum to Beccles and Gunton. Both were operated by open toppers and we elected to join former Eastern Counties JNG 50N on a trip to the former. We had an 'interesting' journey on the top deck and on arrival I got off to get a picture. We decided not to have an 'interesting' run back and opted for the lower deck instead! We returned in time to catch the Gunton bus with Bristol KSW5G WNO 479 in charge and we were concerned it was struggling to climb the new Gulf Wing bridge!

Before too long it was time to return to Ashburnham Way on the StreetDeck for the car after having an enjoyable day.

Roy

Saturday, 12 July 2025

Saturday Coaches

A Drive past the Beach Coach Station this afternoon produced a few vehicles visiting.



First up is Tates Coaches of Royston Temsa HD YJ74CCX.


Next is Barnetts Coaches of Hemel Hempstead DAF/Irizar I6 YT19KUH.




Finally a pair of Mercedes Benz Tourismo's belonging to Roberts Travel Group, Hugglescote. BF24AOA/AOD.

Grahame.

Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Norwich On Wednesday

Some interesting vehicles in central Norwich were observed earlier today by Dan High. His first features an unexpected appearance of former Eastern National open top Bristol KSW5G WNO 479 on Castle Meadow.



On Surrey Street he caught Completely Coach Travel's ex Oxford Tube Van Hool X28 CCT passing the former Norwich Union headquarters.



Returning to Castle Meadow he saw Central Connect's (Simonds) ADL Enviro200 ML62 OGY arriving in the shadows on the 82 from Roydon.



The final photo is an arty one of Jubilee Coaches Van Hool bodied Volvo B12BT W28 JCR.


My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Coaches At Rest

A couple of coaches were parked at the bus stops next to Lowestoft Railway Station at lunchtime today.



The 'foreigner' was Colchester-based Kings Coaches Irizar i6 KC65ABC which was awaiting for the return of its passengers prior to heading off the The Wherry for lunch.



The other vehicle was Vertas Plaxton-bodied Volvo B8R YX22 LTV, commonly used on local school routes.

I am grateful to Tim Miller for the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 9th July 2025

Two relevant entries appear in this week's Notices and Proceedings Report, published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner earlier today.

Sanders Coaches has amended the route, stopping places and timetable of its 405 Sheringham High School to Sheringham Station Approach service from 15th May 2025

First Eastern Counties has revised variations of the number of vehicles at some of its operating centres including a decrease to 70 vehicles at its Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth.

The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here soon.


Roy

Monday, 7 July 2025

Norwich Sightings Today

Some notable sightings in Norwich earlier today by Dan High with his first photo showing First Norwich Wright StreetLite 47511 SN64 CRX on the last months of First on the 10 route.



It is operated under contract to Norfolk County Council and, following a re procurement, it will be run by Konectbus from 1st September. The 10 in Eaton and Cringleford will be combined with the 10A and will mean a longer journey time but will be more frequent with an extended service to the Rail Station.



At the Bus Station, KonectBuses Alexander Dennis Enviro400 630 SN65 OAL was on loan to its Dereham namesake which had received route branding for the former's 74/76 service which runs between Clacton and Colchester. Alongside is Coach Services' ADL Enviro400 MMC CS74 BUS on the 90 to Thetford.



Also noted was First Norwich Yellow Line Volvo B9TL 36268 BG12 YKA deputising for a Scania N250UD /ADL Enviro400 City on the Dereham Excel D service which it worked for most of the day.

My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

Saturday, 5 July 2025

B9 Continues Its Loan At Essex

Adam Roggerman was in Southend earlier today where he observed First Eastern Counties Volvo B9TL 37722 YJ09OBT on the X30 route. He also travelled on it and remarks it 'was fast in places where needed (which is good if you are running 5-6 mins late)'



The bus is on loan to First Essex at the moment due to vehicle shortages at Chelmsford.

My thanks to Adam for the photo which shows 37722 at Southend Bus Station.

Roy

Thursday, 3 July 2025

Norwich Yesterday

Regular contributor Dan High was in his usual spot at Castle Meadow in Norwich yesterday and has sent a few photos for use on the blog



The first shows First Norwich Wright StreetLite 47505 SN64 CPZ working the 37 to Mulbarton. It was new to First Great Yarmouth in November 2014 but was sent to Simon Morris to receive its Charcoal livery in May 2017 after its transfer to the city.



Next is an unusual visitor from St Edmunds Travel in the form of Van Hool TD921 Altano YJ11 GKE. It was first with Eavesway of Ashton-in-Makerfield in April 2011



Our third photo features Central Connect's (Simonds) ADL Enviro200 MMC YY24 HBL on the PR3 Postwick Park and Ride



The final offering is of two of Dan's Coach Travel's Volvo B12Ms with Bluebell E22 DCT leading Maurice E23 DCT along Castle Meadow.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy