First Norwich In Town

The use of two First Norwich double-deckers to Great Yarmouth made for some unusual sightings in the town yesterday with Luke Champeny recording the events.



A surprise was the appearance of pink coloured Wright StreetDeck 35194 SK16 GVT in Market Gates on the X11 service to Norwich



35194 was also viewed in Gorleston High Street and its not the first time a Pink Line decker has been seen in the town as 35198 SK16 GVX visited in June last year.



Also seen at Market Gates was on loan Norwich StreetDeck 35676 MF22 SYH on the 8s to the James Paget Hospital.

My thanks to Luke for the photos.

Roy

Norwich Activity

A couple of photos from Dan High's observations in Norwich's Castle Meadow earlier today. The first shows Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BJ15 BCY from the Norwich School fleet. It was new to Evo Travel of Acton in March 2015.



Also seen was First Eastern Counties Coastal Clipper branded Volvo B9 37570 AU58 ECT on the 7 from Great Yarmouth via Caister, Filby and Fleggburgh.



I am grateful to Dan for the continuous supply of photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 4th March 2026

The latest East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains no entries regarding any changes to our local bus services. The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Our Bus Vehicles For Disposal

A number of Our Bus vehicles are being advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace with Plaxton Panther bodied Iveco Eurorider KV05 YRO and Optare Solo MX58 AAY being specifically highlighted. The latter is seen on St Stephens Street in Norwich in November 2021.

Apparently 'due to a change in the business model', more vehicles including Optare Solos and Volvo coaches will become available from mid April.

Our thanks to Jamie Skinner for bringing the information to our attention.

Roy

Further Jubilee Arrivals

We have already reported the recent arrival of Setra TIG 1295 at Rollesby-based Jubilee Coaches but there are another two additions to the fleet.

The first is another Setra (this time its model type is S416GT-HD) BF61 HCD which replaces Volvo B12BT W28 JCR and also takes that registration.

The second vehicle is Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BF67 WKS which was new to JFS Travel of Blandford, Dorset in January 2018. Its arrival means the departure of similar YR16 JCR.

My thanks to former Jubilee driver Kevan Portas with photos supplied by Simon Moore.

Roy

Southwold Shuttles

A total of five BorderBus double deckers were in use for shuttling people to Southwold Pier for the half marathon earlier this morning.

I am grateful to Andy Swan for the photo

Roy

Belle's New Delivery

The latest addition to the Belle Coaches fleet is brand new Mercedes- Benz Tourismo BC26 BEL which was announced on their Facebook site yesterday.

Its first outing is expected on Monday with a trip to North Devon.

Roy

First Donor

As reported on Tuesday, Coastal Clipper liveried Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37572 AU58ECW requires a new gearbox. This will be donated by similar 37136 SN57 HCU which arrived at Caister Road today and thereafter will head off to the scrapyard

My thanks to Steve N for the information and the photo.

Roy

Early Start At Sanders

An early start at Sanders Coaches at 5:30 am today while I was kicking out the Zs! My thanks to Reg Vardy for the photo.

Roy

Sanders Volvo Repaint

Sanders Coaches has officially introduced its latest addition to the coach fleet in the form of Volvo B8R / MCV EvoTor NW24 SAN. Repainted from its previous all white livery, it was new to REL Davian of Rayleigh in Essex as AA24 REL

It is seen here in North Walsham and has been named Rory John Farrow after the Managing Directors' grand nephew

My thanks to 'Reg Vardy' for the photo

Roy

Norfolk Invades Ipswich

A number of Norfolk coaches descended on Ipswich town centre earlier today as Peter Oakes parked his Simonds coach 7236 PW at the Crown Street bay when on a swimathon private hire.

While awaiting his return back to the school, he was joined by ICT Coaches’ Yutong YD72 FFT, Sanders Coaches’ Volvo B11R SC23 NJS and Completely Coach Travel’s Van Hool P29 CCT.

My thanks to Peter for the report and photo.

Roy

First Update

Volvo B9Tl/Wright Eclipse 36192 BN12 JYS returned to Lowestoft yesterday from Vulcan Road depot at Norwich after repairs to its engine. However, further work is required before it can enter service.

Similar 36194 BN12 JYU requires a new gearbox while 37576 AU58 EDC has electrical issues.

Open top ADL Enviro400 33427 LK58 KHL was over the pits at Vulcan Road, no doubt being prepared for the summer season.

My thanks Steve N for the information.

Roy

Back In the City

Following its return to First Norwich from First Kernow last week, Volvo B9 36174 BD11 CFY was back in service in the city today. 

My thanks to Dan High who snapped it in use on the 37 route earlier today on its way to Mulbarton.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 25th February 2026

The latest East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains just the one entry relating changes to local bus services.

BorderBus is to run a limited stop shuttle bus service between Reydon Old Hall and Southwold Pier in connection with the Southwold Half Marathon. Effective from the 1st March 2026, it will operate one day per year, normally on the first Sunday in March

The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Update

Steve N has contacted us to say that Wright StreetDeck 35676 MF22 SYH is currently on loan at First Great Yarmouth from First Norwich



The other news to report is that Coastal Clipper liveried Volvo B9TL 37572 AU58 ECW is currently out of use requiring a new gearbox. It is seen here approaching Lowestoft Bus Station in March 2022.

My thanks to Steve N for his information.

Roy

Sanders' Scania Repainted

As previously mentioned, (see Mulleys' Scanias Move On) Scania N230UB OmniLink YT11 LPY has moved to Sanders Coaches where it has acquired fleet number 326. Stephen Purkiss has taken a photo of it in the Heath Drive depot yard at Holt yesterday prior to entering service.


My thanks to Stephen for the use of his photo.

Roy

Jubilee’s Latest Arrival

Rollesby-based Jubilee Coaches has recently added another vehicle to its fleet in the form of Setra S415GT-HD TIG 1295.



The vehicle was acquired from Crosskeys Coaches of Folkestone where it was previously registered BX07 NKG.

My thanks to Will Drake for the information and photo

Roy.

Enviro200 Repaint

An ADL Enviro200 appeared earlier today on Norwich’s Castle Meadow in Transport Made Simple livery working the Simonds PR2 Harford Park and Ride service.



No 765 EU10 AOX had recently been repainted from Konectbuses (Hedingham) colours into the latest look.

My thanks to Dan High for the photo.

Roy

Mulleys' Scanias Move On

Regular contributor jdraves1 reports the withdrawal of three Scania N230UB OmniCity buses at Mulleys Motorways.



It is understood that YR10 AZU, YR10 AZT and YT11 LPY have now moved on to another East Anglian operator, Sanders Coaches. All were new to Menzies of Heathrow with the last two also operating with Xelabus of Eastleigh in Hampshire.



The third bus, YT11 LPY, also saw use with Caelloi of Pwllheli and Beestons of Hadleigh in Suffolk.



My thanks to jdraves1 for the information and photos.

Roy

Dereham Diverts

David Bell reports that Dereham Market Place is closed to all bus traffic at the moment. Work started on 12th January and will continue until Friday 20th March.



According to the Konectbus website the end result will see much needed additional capacity for buses and upgraded waiting facilities and passenger information.



Some services are departing from the nearby Cherry Tree car park whilst others are departing from Cowper Road and Wellington Road.



David provides photographs showing the temporary bus stand in Cherry Tree car park and buses arriving and leaving Cherry Tree car park plus a shot of the ongoing works.



Many thanks for the report and photos David.

Roy

Norwich Today

Some photos from Dan High featuring bus activity in Norwich’s Castle Meadow earlier today with the first showing an unusual visitor.

It was privately preserved AEC Regal IV NLE 527 of 1953 vintage with a Metro Cammell body. The RF is often associated with London Country bus operations

The second vehicle is recently repainted Konectbus ADL Enviro400 646 LX09 FCD on Simonds PR3 Postwick Park and Ride duty. It was new to London General in July 2009.

The last photo is of Sanders Coaches’ Scania K30UB Omnilink 325 YT11 LPN arriving on the 45 from Holt.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Activity At J&M Preservations

J&M Preservations' latest acquisition is Volvo B10BLE / Wright Renown T125 OAH from Dan's Coach Travel based near Stowmarket.



New in March 1999, it was originally delivered to Ambassador Travel for use on Norwich Park & Ride duties. Subsequently it saw service with Blackburn Transport before joining Transdev Lancashire United as fleet number 205.

York Pullman purchased it in 2017 working local routes and contracts including the York–Tadcaster corridor, along with school services. Most recently, the Volvo operated with Dan’s Coach Travel in Suffolk, carrying the registration B21 DCT, before being secured for preservation.

The group has also been busy recently removing reusable parts off ex First Bath double decker 32284 WR03 YZT to keep its former First Eastern Counties Volvo B7TL 30887 W742 DWX running. Fully stripped, the former made its final journey to Geoff Ripley & Son earlier this week

My thanks to Mason Lee for the information and photos

Roy

Sizewell C Depot Plans

David Slater draws my attention to an item appearing on the RouteOne magazine this week which may be of interest.



It reports plans to create a 150 strong zero emission bus fleet at a depot in Ipswich to support the transport of the workforce for the Sizewell C project. If accepted it will see the expansion of its current site at Ransomes Europark estate in the Suffolk town. A planning application is to be submitted soon with a decision expected in the spring. Further information can be gained by visiting the website here.

My thanks to David for the information. Photo supplied by Mark Doggett featuring one of the hydrogen powered Wright StreetDecks at Sizewell in March last year

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 18th February 2026

There are quite a few entries in the latest East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report affecting some local bus services.

First Eastern Counties is to cancel two services effective from 28th March 2026 - the 903 between Ormesby and Flagg High School plus the 913 from Rackheath to Broadland High School, Hoveton.

Sanders Coaches has altered the route, stopping places and timetable of the following six services from 1st February 2026.

9/9A Station Approach, Sheringham to Oak Street, Fakenham.

44 Heath Drive, Holt to Tesco Store on Cromer Road in Sheringham.

56 Station Approach, Sheringham to Easton/Otley College.

66 Red Hart, Bodham to Sheringham Primary School.

CH1 Cadogan Road, Cromer to Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea.

NC1 Holt to Norwich City Football Club.

City To Coast Day Tours of Staines-Upon-Thames has been granted approval to use Hayward United Farmers Limited’s premises at Benacre Road, Ellough in Beccles for one vehicle. The new licence authorisation will be five vehicles.

The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Today’s First Activity

From a comment on a previous post concerning the delivery of former First Kernow double deckers to First Eastern Counties, a tenth Volvo B9 was also dispatched for Norwich but broke down on the way. The errant bus was 36175 BD11 CFZ which was subsequently towed to Roundtree Way depot and is shown here in Luke Champeny’s photo.

A line up of some of the new ex First Kernow arrivals was observed by Luke in their many colours earlier today. Apparently three of the ex Doncaster B9s have already been sent away for a repaint.

Meanwhile, First Great Yarmouth has on loan Volvo B9 36176 BD11 CGE (pictured at the James Paget Hospital on the X11 to Belton earlier) together with Wright StreetDecks 35199 SK16 GVY (seen at Norwich Bus Station also today on the X11) plus 35287 SL67 VXR.

Many thanks to Luke for the information and photos

Roy

Red Olympus

One of the last London red liveried double deckers with Konectbus made an appearance in Norwich earlier today.

Optare Olympus bodied ADL Enviro400 651 LX58 CXB was noted on a staff shuttle in the city’s Castle Meadow.

Thanks to Dan High for the photo.

Roy

On Their Way

Yesterday Riviera Photography was on a bridge at Cullompton on the M5 in some silly weather capturing some of the First Kernow buses venturing north for the next stage of their life.



The first photo features four of those heading for First Eastern Counties with Doncaster liveried 36222 BD12 SZY leading with ex Norwich 36173 BD11 CFX, 36226 BD12 TBO and 36221 BJ12 VXE following closely behind.



The next two also show Volvo B9s, also in Doncaster colours, in the form 36221 BJ12 VXE and 36225 BD12 TAV.



The final picture sees 36223 BD12 SZZ with 36174 BDY with the later still in its First Norwich livery.



My thanks to Riviera Photography for consent to use the photos.

Roy

StreetLite Repaint

A First Eastern Counties Wright StreetLite appeared in Norwich's Castle Meadow earlier today on its first day in service following its repaint.



It was 47507 SN64 CRJ and I had a couple of reports and pictures sent in with Dan High's photo being the first received (above) to be followed around a second later by Harry Holmes (below).



My thanks to both of them for the reports and photos.

Roy

First Cornwall To Norwich

With First ending their Cornwall operations yesterday there appears to be a mass exodus of their buses to pastures new.

Bustimes suggests that First Eastern Counties is expected to receive nine double deckers following closure, with two of them returning to the city. They are all Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TLs comprising 36173/4 (BD11CFX/Y), 36221-7 (BD12VXE/SZY/SZZ/TAU/TAV/TBO/TBU). There could be more.

Pictured is one of the returnees, 36173 BD11CFX, on Castle Meadow in Norwich during January 2022 heading for Spixworth.

Roy

First Ipswich News

The latest news from First Ipswich concerns the withdrawal of two Wright Eclipse Urban Volvo B7RLEs with both being destined for scrap after being stripped for the retrieval of parts.



The first is Felixstowe Flyers branded 69428 AU58 FFP, observed at the rear of Ipswich depot, whilst the other is similar 69426 AU58 FFN.

My thanks to Will M for the information and photo.

Roy

First Update

Following its successful MOT, First Great Yarmouth Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini open top 37065 CRZ 266 has also gone offsite for storage joining the three others mentioned previously.



Two Coastlink ADL Enviro400s are presently out of use, 33823 YX63 LKN with an electrical issue and 33803 YX63 LJF is about to undergo its MOT.

Meanwhile, First Norwich will be collecting their old 11 plated Volvo B9s from Cornwall on Sunday

My thanks SteveN for the information.

Roy

Norwich Activity

Regular contributor Dan High provides photos of some bus activity in Norwich’s Castle Meadow earlier today.



Passing through was Completely Coach Travel’s Van Hool Astromega double deck coach J29 CCT. New as YJ14 LFS in August 2014 as part of the Oxford Tube fleet, it arrived from Stagecoach West Scotland in June last year.



Making a rare appearance on the 11A to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital was Wright StreetLite 63318 SK65 PWY - a route mainly worked by a Wright StreetDeck Electroliner.
Many thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Norwich Volvo B7RLEs

A couple of shots from Dan High yesterday from his usual vantage point of Castle Meadow in Norwich City Centre.



He was almost caught unawares as First's Volvo B7RLE 69552 BF12 KWP worked through from the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital to Riverside on the 26. Normally reserved for the Wright StreetDeck Electroliners, it was a rare appearance on the route.

Another Volvo B7RLE working yesterday was Ultraviolet 69545 BF12 KWC destined for the hospital with the 12 from Hoveton. A direct comparison can be made of the two liveries.

My thanks Dan for the photos

Roy