First Local Activity

First Eastern Counties Coastline branded Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini 37142 SN57 HDC has left Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot for the last time. It was collected by Trevor Wigley and Sons of Barnsley earlier today.



Also today First Norwich Wright StreetDeck NewPower 71016 W6 FAL was having its MOT at  Perfect's Test Centre on Great Yarmouth's Harfrey's Estate



Outside the depot was First Lowestoft's Wright StreetLite 47647 SN15 AFJ which moved to the Suffolk town earlier this month



My thanks to First for the information and photos.

Roy

New arrivals at Lynx

Lynxbus in Kings Lynn has welcomed its 3 latest arrivals in the shape of Brand new ADL Enviro 200 MMC's. This takes the total of the type in the fleet to seven.

 Details of the three as follows,

 35 YX75LCL

 36 YX75KVF

 37 YX75KVG

Eagle eyed amongst you will notice the specially selected number plates with Norfolk history, the prefix's of CL, VF & VG all once being DVLA allocated letters for the county.

 

35 is the same specification as older vehicles 31-34 for use on the 34/35/36 services whilst 36 & 37 will mainly be used on the 42 service.

They are due to enter service in the next few days.

Many Thanks to Sam Larke at Lynx for the photos and info.

Grahame. 

Former Norfolk Decker Destroyed

The two previous posts have been from other areas of the country featuring buses that were once common place in our local area. We continue that theme with information reported on the BBC Sussex Facebook site earlier today.

It reported that a bus has been totally destroyed by fire at a petrol filling station on the Brighton Road at Lewes. The photo accompanying the report shows it to be a completely burnt out shell. More here.



Accompanying the Facebook report are a number comments with one of them featuring a roadside view of the front of the vehicle showing only the front bumper and number plate being untouched by the fire. It can, therefore, be easily be identified as R70 PTS, a Scania N230UD OmniCity previously owned by the PTS Group (Wrights Coaches). We reported in June that it had passed to Seaford & District.

Roy

34110's Preservation Continues

Some ten years ago we reported on the blog of the gradual disappearance of First Eastern Counties Alexander Royale bodied Volvo Olympians from Caister Road depot on their final journey to the scrapyard.

Much interest was shown in the acquiring the last remaining example in the yard, 34110 W437 CWX, for preservation. Eventually an Essex enthusiast, Colin Thorne, was successful in purchasing it and 34110 left the depot for the last time in November 2015.



However, in October of the following year Colin contacted me with the surprise news that he had decided to withdraw from the project. His financial circumstances had changed over the previous twelve months and he was unable to make any serious progress with it.



We reported this on the blog and subsequently W437 CWX was purchased by a Yorkshire preservationist who arranged for its collection from Great Yeldham in Essex (above). Its next destination was the South Yorkshire Transport Trust at Rotherham

Apart from photos of its immediate arrival in Yorkshire nothing further was heard. However, James Dodd recently posted a photo on First Eastern Counties Bus Blog Facebook Group showing 34110 continuing to undergo preservation work at Rotherham. My thanks to James for consent to use his photo.

Roy

Aylesbury Optares

I expect your immediate reaction is what has Aylesbury's buses got to do with our area? Well Mark Doggett was there yesterday and sighted a couple of buses that used to operate in the Norfolk and Suffolk area.



Volvo B9TL/Optare Olympus PL08 YLZ was purchased (along with PL08 YMA) by Sanders Coaches in August 2008. Both are now with Redline Buses and it appears from the photo that the former is due its MOT.



His second photo features Vale Travel's Optare Solo M780 AU54 EOA which was new to Anglian Bus, Beccles in September 2004 wearing fleet number 307.



Anglian was an early operator of gas powered buses and 307 had a pod fitted to the roof containing gas cylinders as part of a clean vehicle trial project. Photo above shows it in Howard Street North in Great Yarmouth in December 2010 when fitted with the pod. It was later removed with 307 transferring to Vale Travel in Spring 2014 . The bus is understood to still be in use.

My thanks to Mark for the Aylesbury photos.

Roy

Deckers Out Of Use

Two First Great Yarmouth double deckers are currently out of use and are at rest in the rear yard of the Caister Road depot.



Both Wright StreetDeck 35673 MF22 SYC and ADL Enviro400 33822 YX63 LKM are suffering from gearbox issues.

My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

Another Loan

For a few days now First Norwich Wright StreetDeck 35141 SN65 OMJ has been on loan to First Great Yarmouth.

This morning it was employed on 09:00 X1 Lowestoft to Norwich service via Great Yarmouth. It is seen here approaching the Magdalen Arms stop in Gorleston which has had a new shelter recently installed.

Roy

First Eastern Counties Update

The latest from First is that Coastlink ADL Enviro400 33806 YX63 LJL is still to leave Norwich as it is currently undergoing repairs at Roundtree Way before departing to First Essex.

Also at Roundtree Way is Wright StreetDeck 35185 SK16 GVF and Scania N250UD 36901 YN69 XZD both with accident damage. Previously reported Wright StreetLite 47679 SL15 RVW is also still present with fire damage.

Meanwhile at Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot Volvo B9 36190 BN12 JYP is awaiting a new gearbox and Lowestoft’s ADL Enviro200 44538 YX13 AHN also has gearbox issues. Recent open top arrival from First Kernow 37796 LX59 CXO has not been started since its arrival and another open topper, 37067 CRZ 488, appears to be in use as a staff shuttle bus.

My thanks to First for the information and photo.

Roy

Ipswich Exiles in Chelmsford

Mark Doggett has provided photos of former First Ipswich ADL/TransBus Enviro300s in use in Chelmsford yesterday.



67406 SN13 CKC is noted at Chelmsford Bus Station complete with its Ipswich Reds livery, with a white addition!



Ultraviolet 67775 SN62 AXO was sighted outside the city's rail station on the c1 service to Galleywood.

He also spotted Ipswich Park & Ride livered 67760 SN62 AUC but we have already published Dale Bell's photo of it earlier this month. Thanks for the photos Mark.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 24th September 2025

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains three entries relating to the cancellation of local services.

First Eastern Counties has already withdrawn two services; the 65 between Ipswich Rail Station and Fort Green, Aldeburgh plus the X7 from Old Cattle Market, Ipswich to Grange Farm, Felixstowe. The former took effect from 30th August 2025 whilst the latter ceased on 31st August 2025.

Ourhire Limited, operating as Our Bus, has cancelled Acle services 70A /73A /71A effective from 31st August 2025.

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

Roy

Transport Made Simple To Acquire Go East Anglia

Route One magazine reports that Transport Made Simple has agreed to purchase the Go East Anglia Business from the Go-Ahead Group.



With completion expected by the beginning of next month, Transport Made Simple will then have a total of 380 coaches. buses and minibuses employing around 800 staff. The acquisition also includes the Konectbus brand which was recently expanded throughout the Go East Anglia operation.

Transport Made Simple acquired Simonds of Botesdale last year and their vehicles are regularly seen in the local area on workers contract services.

Roy

First Norwich Exiles

Earlier today Mark Doggett paid a visit to Colchester and Ipswich where he spotted a couple of First Norwich exiles in their latest environments.



Former Costessey Park & Ride ADL Enviro400 MMC 34421 SN17 MTO was observed in the Middleborough area of Colchester in its First Essex air link colours.

In Ipswich he sighted Wright StreetLite 63322 SK65 PXC in Dog Street arriving on the First Eastern Counties 75 route from Felixstowe, complete with its green front.

My thanks to Mark for his photos.

Roy

Unusual Sighting

On Saturday afternoon David Bell was returning from Cambridge when he spotted Eastern Counties heritage-liveried Volvo B9 36183 BN12 JYF leaving Kings Lynn bus station on a First Excel journey to Norwich.



Presumably it was covering for a shortage of excel Scania 250UD / ADL Enviro400 buses on the route; not helped by the withdrawal of one of them following a road traffic accident last Tuesday.

My thanks to David for the report and photo.

Roy

1940s Weekend Day 2

Just a small sample of some of the vehicles involved in the second day of the 1940s Weekend in North Norfolk as supplied by Dan High.



The first shows Pat Burnside's very smart looking 1949 Eastern Coach Works bodied Bristol KS5G HPW 133, formerly LKH133 when with Eastern Counties.

Dan's Coach Travel's Plaxton Paragon bodied Volvo B12M E22 DCT is up next. Named Bluebell, it was previously KY08 KUF

Our last photo features Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire's Routemaster RML2401 JJD 401D. Apparently it was operating a Bodham Park and Ride service.

Grateful to Dan for the photos.

Roy

1940s Weekend

Another event taking place is the 1940s Weekend at Sheringham. Originally founded by the North Norfolk Railway, the whole town now gets involved reportedly attracting over 20,000 visitors.

Local bus operator Sanders provides bus services in the area with some of its older members of the fleet in action yesterday including Scania OmniDekka 116 YN53 CFZ

Sanders' Wright Pulsar bodied VDL SB200 number 400 YJ64FWF was also in use at the Station Approach site.

Other buses and coaches appeared including preserved former London Transport Routemaster RML214 registered JJD 419D.

Royston-based Richmond Coaches turned up with its Van Hool TDX Astromega double-deck coach 153 WAR

An unusual arrival was The Bus Bistro's Irizar i6 BB02 TBB based in Wisbech. It has had many registrations in the past including YS14 LHO, K21 SWA and BU53 MCR.

My thanks to Dan High for the photos.

Roy

FEC Revisited 2015

Ten years ago! does not seem possible does it. 2015 is where we go back to today to have a brief look at some of the vehicles around the area with First Eastern Counties.

 

We start in Norwich and freshly painted Volvo B7TL 32100 LT02ZCJ which gained Turquiose line livery for the 13 route.

A batch of Volvo B10BLE single decks made their way down from First South Yorkshire having spells at various depots during their stay. 60618 R781MKW is pictured laying over at the James Paget Hospital about to head to Caister on the 8 service.

 

Although showing a local route, GYT liveried Volvo B7TL 32059 was in fact on Park & Ride duties at Ipswich Transport Museum for their open day in November 2015. 

 

Finally back to Norwich and Enviro 200 45118 ST09JPT seen in Castle Meadow branded for the Purple line services, this was very short lived if i remember, it had previously had spells at Yarmouth and Lowestoft before heading up to Scotland and First Midland Bluebird.

Hope some memories were brought back!

Grahame. 

Henham Steam & Country Fair

This weekend sees the Henham Steam & Country Fair being held at Henham Park near Southwold and Jamie Skinner was there earlier today.



An unusual find was this truck with an interesting history. Owned by Richard Moore of Horncastle, it was a former Trent Motor Traction tow truck affectionately known as 'Gus'. Built in 1952 as an AEC Militant heavy truck, it was later given an Eastern Coach Works RE body recycled from a Bristol single decker bus. It has since been preserved in the colours of Trent and with National Bus Company and AEC badges on its grill.



Also present were two privately owned preserved vehicles namely ex Eastern Counties Bristol RE / ECW EPW 516K and former Shearings Volvo B10M-61/Van Hool Alizee YXI 6327. Also on site was American school bus US56 BUS.

My thanks to Jamie for the photos.

Roy

Loan Made Permanent

A fortnight ago we reported that Wright StreetLite 63320 SK16 PXA had moved to First Great Yarmouth on loan from Norwich. The move has now been made permanent with the Norwich Green Line branded bus observed on the 14:43 James Paget Hospital to Caister’s Second Avenue this afternoon.

My thanks to First for the information.

Roy

Norwich This Morning

Regular contributor Dan High sends some photos of his sightings at Castle Meadow in Norwich this morning.



The first shows First Eastern Counties Wright StreetDeck Electroliner 36562 BK73 AHO about to depart on the X29 to Fakenham.



Next up is former First Leicester Wright StreetDeck 35182 SK16 GVC which received its ultraviolet colours earlier this year. It is seen here taking on passengers for the 24 to Queen's Hill.



Also on the 24 route this morning was repowered Equipmake converted Wright StreetDeck 70201 OIG 1790. It was previously 35201 SK16 GWA.



Finally an unusual outing for Yellow Line livered Volvo B9TL 36265 BG12 YJX was its journey to Peterborough on the excel A service.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 17th September 2025

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains just one item of 'local interest'.

REL Felixstowe Limited has surrendered its operational licence with effect from 5th September 2025.

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

Roy

eVoRa's First Day

Following its arrival on Friday, Border Bus newbie MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8R B75 BUS entered service today.



It was allocated to the 146 route which operates from Southwold to Norwich and Steve W was at the former to supply photos of the new 116 on its first day.



My thanks to Steve for the photos

Roy

Electric Buses For Great Yarmouth

Earlier today Norfolk County announced a £13.8 million investment with First Bus to bring 24 new electric double-deck buses to Great Yarmouth and Norwich by the autumn of next year.

They will join the 76 electric buses already in use in Norwich with the Great Yarmouth share comprising ten new vehicles. They are intended for use on the service 8 between the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston and Caister's Marram Avenue. To cater for them Caister Road depot will be upgraded with electric vehicle infrastructure.

£8.9 million of the investment will come from First Bus with the remaining £4.9 million from Norfolk County Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan secured from central government.

Roy

StreetLites Arrive

There are two recent arrivals at Lowestoft comprising former First Essex Wright StreetLites 47645 and 47647.



The appearance of 47645 SN15 AFE in its Olympia livery was mentioned in our post on 16th August, but until now, no photo was available. Fortunately, Mark Doggett provides one taken last Tuesday on Gordon Road near the bus station.



Similar 47647 SN15 AFJ was photographed by Mark at the same location on the same day during its first day in service.

Roy

eVoRa Arrives

Continuing the Border Bus theme, the operator's latest addition to the fleet arrived at its Moor Business Park premises in Beccles this afternoon.



It was an MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8R and Tim Miller was on hand to see it arrive and take some photos for us.



Registered B75 BUS, it is seen here in front of one of the oldest members of the fleet - Volvo B7TL X662 LLX.



Tim also managed to get a photo of the interior of the bus which has yet to receive its fleet names and a fleet number.



Also at the site was the previously mentioned Scania N230UD OmniCity YT59 DXY in its Manchester Bee Network colours.

My thanks to Tim who managed to dodge the showers to get the photos

Roy