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

Norwich B9 Moves to Essex

After an early morning start on First Norwich 38 service between the City and Tuckswood, Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37722 YJ09 OBT transferred to First Essex yesterday. Later that afternoon it was immediately pressed into use on the 372 Colchester to Chelmsford route. 

Today 37722 was in use on the 170 between Chelmsford and Braintree with Dale Bell recording its use in Chelmsford today

My thanks to Dale for the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 2nd July 2025

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

Roy

Sanders At Glastonbury

You can't have failed to have noticed that the famous Glastonbury Festival recently ended with it appearing in the news for one reason or another..

Allan Field has provided photos showing two Sanders Coaches visiting the event. The first features Volvo 9700 integral 925 SC23 NJS named Norman John Sanders

The second is of Yutong GT12 801 DS25 NCH named Delia Smith. Both are pictured at roughly the same spot on the first day of the Festival (25th June)

I am grateful to Allan for his photos.

Roy

Sunday Evening Sightings

Yesterday evening I went out to find any coaches located in the Great Yarmouth area and started my journey at Beach Coach Station.



As usual, Alfa Travel had a presence in the form of their Mercedes-Benz Tourismo 118 BV20 HNB and chartered MCV Evotor bodied Volvo B11R V22MCV from Aldermaston Coach Lines.



Beside the latter was Caledonian Travel's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo NH16HEH, formerly in the National Holidays fleet.



Locally-based Jubilee Coaches had also parked up their Mercedes-Benz Tourismo YR16 JCR.



Around the corner, on North Drive, was Bakers Dolphin Mercedes-Benz Tourismo 29 BV19 YMC at rest on the Burlington Hotel Car Park.

Roy

Norfolk Scania Moves To Sussex

Posted over the weekend on the Seafield & District Enthusiasts Group Facebook page was a photo of a double decker previously based in the North Norfolk area.

It was a former PTS Group (Wrights Coaches) Scania N230UD OmniCity still with its R70 PTS plate. It has been in use with Seaford since late April and seems to be confined to their 267 Hailsham to Heathfield Community College route..

PTS Group acquired the ex London United vehicle during the summer of 2020 when it was registered YN08 DEU. It was purchased for use on Norfolk County Council awarded contracts and is seen here in David Bell's photo operating the Fridays only 80 service between Aylsham and Dereham

My thanks to David for the use of his photo.

Roy

Our Bus Axes Services

Malcolm King reports that Acle-based Our Hire (Our Bus) is to cancel the operation of three of its routes from the 31st August 2025:-

• 70A Horstead to Wroxham via Coltishall
• 71A Wroxham to Acle via Pilson Green and SouthWalsham
• 73A Cantley to Acle via Reedham

Additionally it has been stated that Our Bus will not run its seasonal 100 service between Vauxhall Holiday Park and Great Yarmouth's seafront this year. Tim Miller's photo shows Optare Solo M920 SR YJ62 FZV at the Market Gates Bus Station stop in August last year.

Roy

Angies' Y24TEY

So far unmentioned here is Angies Tours use of Neoplan Tourliner Y24 TEY. The registration recognises Angies' associated Colchester-based business Teys Tours.

My thanks to Phil H for the use of his photo.

Roy

Completely Acqusitions

Completely Coach Travel has acquired a further two Van Hool TDX27 Astromegas. Former Stagecoach YJ14 LFS was observed by Dan High on Waterworks Road in Norwich earlier today in Stagecoach colours.

Also purchased is similar YJ14 LFW which is currently being painted white and is the reason for the temporary loan from Ensignbus.

My thanks to Dan for the photo and to Mickey Amey at Completely for the information.

Roy

Another Repower In Service

A First Wright StreetDeck Equipmake EV is pictured on its first day out in service since it has been repowered. 70201 OIG 1790 was originally 35201 SK16 GWA and was previously with First South Yorkshire.

My thanks to Dan High who forwarded the photo taken by Thomas Jolly earlier today which is reproduced here with his consent.

Roy

Royal Norfolk Show

Today saw the beginning of this year's Royal Norfolk Show held at the Norfolk Showground on the outskirts of Norwich.



Both First and Konectbus were operating buses to the event and our first photo features the latter's Dennis Trident / Alexander Enviro 400 SN65 OAD on the X4 route.



Many of the local independent operators were involved in transporting schoolchildren to the Show including Sanders Coaches, who provided at least ten coaches including Volvo B12B(T) OGR647 and Volvo B9R YVJ 677.



Closer to home Rollesby-based Jubilee Coaches provided at least four vehicles - W26 JCR, L333 JCR, L555 JCR and YR10 JCR.



Smiths Coaches of Blofield sent along five -YJ51 EMX, FP51 EUB, 333 SXU, D5 SOB and L8 SLT.



Belle Coaches had a presence in the form of Mercedes Benz Tourismo BC10 BEL and Setra LIL 9458.


An interesting attendee was former Sullivan Buses' Scania Omnicity N230UD LX10 AUF, now with the independent Norwich School.

I am grateful to Dan for the information and many photos

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 15th June 2025

There is just one locally related entry in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

Sanders Coaches has amended the timetable of its 43/43A services between Reepham Market Place and Norwich Market Place which became effective from 18th May 2025.

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

Roy

Omar’s Sightings

I’ve just returned after few days away in Staffordshire and received a message from Omar Atiallah on his sightings on Castle Meadow in Norwich earlier today.

First of all he saw one of Sanders Coaches’ new Yutong GT12’s parked outside the entrance to Castle Mall. This was 802 NO25 MWJ in the operator’s early livery.

Later he got a photo of Ensignbus MCV bodied Volvo B8L BU74 YVN in the same area which is currently on hire to Completely Coach Travel.

My thanks to Omar for the information and photos.

Roy

Tamworth Sightings

With a few days spent in Tamworth, I managed to fit in an hour or so of observations earlier today whilst the others were shopping.



After a cooked breakfast at The Bole Bridge, my first port of call was Victoria Road where a number of Arriva Midlands services terminate. Imagine my surprise when Diamond Bus Wright StreetLite 32231 SN68 AHT turned up to work the 76B service to Hurley. The operator only seems to run variations of the route during the day and I didn't see any other services operated there by Diamond



Further along the same road was Arriva Midlands North ADL/TransBus Enviro300 3586 CX58 EVP on the 7 to Stonydelph - whilst route branded for 263 which doesn't operate there!



All Arriva Tamworth bus services seem to be run by single-deckers except for the 110 to Birmingham which mainly employs ADL Enviro400s. This is 4415 YX64 VMK about to work the 13:10 departure.



An unexpected arrival was ADL Enviro400EV demonstrator AR74 ZEB which was from Birmingham on the 110. Apparently its on a four week trial



I walked around the corner to see what was lurking in Arriva's Aldgate garage and found ADL Enviro400 4408 YX64 VMC and Scania N230UB OmniCity 3554 YR58 SRV 'Connecting Derby' (apparently!). Hiding behind was VDL SB200 Wright Pulsar 3751 YJ59 BUO



Finally the new kid on the block was Burton based buslink which operates six routes with around 17 vehicles (Bus Times). Pictured is Scania K230UB Wright Solar 73 SN57BKL on Corporation Street destined for Lichfield. In addition to the route number, after a while the screen displayed a countdown to the departure time. As it reached 0 seconds before leaving (surprise, surprise) a passenger arrived to board it!

Roy

Wrights’ Latest Arrivals

Two recent arrivals at Wrights Coaches of Hoveton are two ex Park’s of Hamilton Plaxton Elite bodied Volvo B11RTs.

They are SA17 ELD/E (LSK 813 and  LSK 876 respectively when with Parks) and have also seen use with The Travellers Choice of Carnforth

The photo was obtained from the operator’s Facebook Page.

Roy

Norfolk Independent Activity In Norwich

A couple of photos sent in by Dan High taken in Norwich earlier today of two Norfolk based independent operators.

The first features Dolphin Travel’s Bova Futura YJ05 XXC which was new to Johnson of Hodthorpe in Derbyshire.

The other picture features Norfolk Coachways’ Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B9R B21 NCW. It was acquired from Greys of Ely during August 2022 when registered URZ 1309.

My thanks to Dan for photos.

Roy

Sanders' Withdrawals

With the recent influx of newer vehicles, Sanders Coaches three ex Reading Buses Wright bodied Scanias have been withdrawn.



They are 317 YN06 NXS, 318 YN06 NXR and 320 YN57 FWH which leaves just the ex Cardiff 324 WX06 JYA as the sole Scania saloon standing.

Also recently stood down is Wright bodied Volvo B7 516 FJ57 CZM.

My thanks to Liam for the update and photos.

Roy

Wednesday In the City

A couple of photos selected from Dan High's half a dozen photos he forwarded to me of activity on Castle Meadow in Norwich.



The first shows the appearance of Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B12B 20612 LX07 CDF awaiting its next duty.



The second features a visitor to the city in the form of Don's of Dunmow's Van Hool T911 DN08 DON, first with City Circle of Bonnyrigg as YJ08 DXD in May 2008.

My thanks to Dan for the continuous supply of photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 18th June 2025

There are some locally related entries in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

Sanders Coaches has made a number of change's to some of its services which all took effect from 18th May 2025. There are timetable changes on four of the routes:-
CH2 Cadogan Road, Cromer to Quay at Wells-next-the-Sea
34 North Walsham Travel Hub to former Stalham Railway Station site
44 Heath Drive, Holt to Station Approach, Sheringham
X44/44A/X46/X41 Norwich Bus Station to Station Approach, Sheringham

The operator is also altering the route, stopping places and timetable of its 9/9A Station Approach, Sheringham to Oak Street, Fakenham service

Other changes include the route and timetable of its its CH2 North Walsham Travel Hub to Cadogan Road, Cromer service.

Ambassador Travel is to cancel its service 50 between East Norfolk College, Gorleston and Easton College, Norwich effective from 02 August 2025.

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

Roy

Tuesday Stroll

A leisurely stroll along Great Yarmouth’s seafront this afternoon to walk off the pub lunch and a crafty pint - pretending to be holidaymakers!

Couldn’t help noticing that open top Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37069 CRZ 622 was in use on the 1C service. Luckily I was in a good position to get a reasonable shot.

Roy

Norwich Today

A selection from some of the photos provided by Dan High featuring activity in Norwich City Centre earlier today.



The first shows one of Sanders Coaches' MCV bodied Volvo B8RLE's 546 M20 FXO at Castle Meadow with the arrival of the 54 service from North Walsham.



Another Sanders' vehicle seen was Volvo B7RLE 513 HF54 HGA eking out its last days when seen passing Anglia House, the home of ITV Anglia.



Well travelled Konectbus driver trainer, Optare bodied Alexander Dennis Enviro200 9272 LX09 AZC, was in use on Castle Meadow.



Another of the fleet Alexander Dennis Enviro400 624 SN65 OAC has received its new livery complete with 'support our armed services' embellishments. It was about to leave for Sprowston on the 11B route.

Our last view shows Completely Travel's X28 CCT finally receiving its all over white livery replacing its Oxford Tube colour scheme. However, it is still without its fleet names.

My thanks to Dan for all the photos

Roy

Versa on Konectbus 8/8A

Following yesterday's report on the unusual use of a saloon on the normally double deck worked Konectbus 8/8A route, between Norwich Railway Station and Dereham/ Toftwood, a similar occurrence happened this morning!



Dan High witnessed Optare Versa 305 YJ60 KGU on the route at Norwich's Castle Meadow. The Versa was new to Anglianbus in September 2010 and was a frequent visitor to the Great Yarmouth/ Lowestoft area.

My thanks to Dan for the report and photo.

Roy

Sanders' New Yutongs

Sanders Coaches has announced the latest additions to their fleet in the form of a pair of new Yutong GT12s. They are 801 - DS25 NCH and 802 - NO25 MWJ and are respectively named Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones. The naming honours their contribution to Norwich City Football Club over many years and recognises the operator's long standing association with the Club in providing both home and away travel for fans.

Both are pictured within the grounds of The Muckleburgh Military Collection at Weybourne by Stephen Purkiss. No. 801 carries the very distinctive current colour scheme whilst 802 is finished in a former livery to celebrate Sanders 50 Years in business, the anniversary of which falls towards the end of this year.

I'm grateful to Stephen for the information and the use of his photo.

Roy

Enviro200 on Konectbus 8/8A

The Konectbus 8/8A route, between Norwich Railway Station and Dereham/ Toftwood, is normally worked by an Alexander Dennis double decker but yesterday morning it was a single decker.



Alexander Dennis Enviro200 243 YX62 DKL was doing the honours for most of the morning, still in its Go North West livery.

My thanks to Dan High for the photos.

Roy

Four Alfa Travel Visitors

Some eight coaches were noted early this morning in Great Yarmouth's holiday area and at Beach Coach Station with half of them being Mercedes-Benz Tourismos from the Alfa Travel fleet.

The first was 124 BV20 HNH, outside the New Beach Hotel on Marine Parade, with the remainder on view at Beach Coach Station including 141 BF23 CFJ attempting to hide among the other vehicles.



Alfa's recent newcomers 159 BV20 LZO and 157 BV25 LZM were also posed together there.



Making an appearance was Lakeside Coaches of Ellesmere's BU18 BOL, yet another Tourismo!



Other vehicles present featured Slacks Travel of Matlock Scania K410 / Irizar i6S OO10 PSV.



The sixth vehicle at the Coach Station was M & D Travel of Stockton's VDL YD17 WXW complete with National Holidays branding.

A further Caledonian Travel Tourismo, BV22 WPM, was seen on Marine Parade opposite the Wellington Pier

You may have observed that not all of the coaches seen are illustrated in this post as they have already featured on the blog in previous visits to the coast. Photos of those visits can be found by inputting their registration in the search bar at the top of the page.

Roy