Another MMC On The 8s

Another of Central Connect’s branded ADL Enviro400 was observed in use with Konectbus on their Norwich Fast service

Dan High recorded new ADL Enviro400 MMC 503 YX24 PLV on Norwich’s Castle Meadow earlier today.

My thanks to Dan for the photo

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 25th March 2026

The latest East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report includes changes to a couple of First Eastern Counties services.

It is amending the timetable of its service 7 between Great Yarmouth’s Market Gates and Norwich Bus Station from 12th April 2026.

The operator is also altering the route, start and finish point, stopping places and timetable of its Excel A, B, C and D services between Norwich Bus Station and Dereham Market Place from 12th April 2026.

The full report can be viewed on the Government’s website.

Roy

Norwich Monday

This week has proven to be a problem in posting anything to the blog due to commitments during the early part of the week to be followed by a bout of the dreaded lurgy! However, things are gradually returning to normal with posts being backdated.

Monday was a busy day for Dan High with a total of more than 90 photos sent providing me with the difficult problem of deciding what to use and what not to! He blames regular contributor Mark Doggett who accompanied him on Norwich’s Castle Meadow. The first I’ve selected is that of ADL Enviro200 270 YX61 BXL.

Earlier, another of the Transport Made Simple fleet appeared in the shape of Simonds ADL Enviro400 591 SN11 BTU repainted in their blue livery from its previous Borough of Redbridge white.

Next up is one of those First Eastern Counties new powered StreetDecks 71016 W6 FAL on the 11A service to Sprowston.

A former First Kernow Wight Eclipse bodied Volvo B9TL 36227 BD12 TBU, still in its Doncaster colours, was seen working Fakenham X29 journeys.

I am grateful to Dan for the wide variety of photos - it’s all your fault Mark!!

Roy

First 33423 Remains

A week before Christmas last year we learnt that the once pride of the fleet First Eastern Counties ADL Enviro400 33423 SN60 CAA had been withdrawn from active service due to chassis deterioration.

It still remains inside First's Caister Road depot and is pictured there earlier today but without any engine or gearbox. Its last journey is expected to be to a scrapyard.

It was acquired from Connex in Jersey during June 2013 and gained celebrity status with its tinted windows. However, it later received Coastlink livery and, with the tint removed, became just another member of the fleet.

Here is a short video of it passing through Gorleston High Street during February 2015. (My apologies if any adverts appear)

My thanks to Steve N for the photo.

Roy

Norwich Today

Following Chad's earlier report of Central Connect's 502 YX24 PLU at Dereham, here is the same bus arriving at Norwich's Castle Meadow. Photo credit Harry Holmes.



Also witnessing its use on the 8 was Dan High who got this shot of its return journey to Dereham passing Sanders Coaches' Volvo B7RLE / MCV Evolution 534 KP12 BUS.



Passing through was Coach Services Plaxton bodied Volvo B7R AR08 KXD. The operator acquired it from an unknown MOD contractor in early 2019.



Dan also noted Dolphin Autos' Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther BU54 DAY. It was earlier with Freestones of Beetley as their KX07 HDJ and retains its blue livery.



Dan additionally captured this photo of Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile YN06 RVE which is currently a member of the H Semmence fleet. It was acquired from Coach Services during February 2022.



My thanks Harry and Dan for their photos.

Roy

Dereham Today

Chad Lovick provides some photos taken in Dereham this morning, including one of Central Connects' ADL Enviro400 MMC 502 YX24 PLU on its first day in service with Konectbus on the 8 Norwich Fast.



His next photo is of First Eastern Counties' Volvo B9 / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36271 BD12 YDK on the excel D service heading for Norwich



Also observed was the last London red liveried double decker with Konectbus, 651 LX58 CXB, arriving on the 21 service from Fakenham



First Eastern Counties Scania N250UD/ Enviro400 City YN69XZZ was destined for Norwich on on the excel A service



My thanks to Chad for the photos.

Roy

Norwich Wednesday

Dan High was observing activity in Norwich yesterday and here are three of his photos for your perusal



The first is of Sanders' newbie Yutong GT14 803 YK26 LCY complete with a Canaries scarf draped across the top of the front screen - possibly on its was to an away match on the south coast.



Another of the Sanders' fleet appear in the next photo showing Coasthopper MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8RLE 548 BU75 WNH

The last is of Sunbeam Coaches' Plaxton bodied Volvo B12B G21 SUN also seen on Castle Meadow.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Update

The latest from First Great Yarmouth is that Coastal Clipper liveried Volvo B9 37572 AU58 ECW has returned to active service following its engine replacement.



Coastlinks ADL Enviro400 33818 YX63 LKG is due an MOT while similar 33810 YX63 LJV and Volvo B9 36215 BJ12 VWX are both under repair in Norwich.

My thanks to Steve N for his report.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 18th March 2026

The latest East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report contains an item which may be of local interest.

Konectbus of Dereham has had an application granted for a new operating centre at the Postwick Park & Ride site at Yarmouth Road, Postwick, Norwich for 30 vehicles. 

The full report can be seen here soon on the Government’s website.

Roy

Alfa Travel Visitor

Spotted today on Great Yarmouth's North Drive this lunchtime was an Alfa Travel 25 plate registered Mercedes-Benz Tourismo with its latest Alfa Holidays branding.



BV25 LZL (fleet number 156) is one of ten new touring coaches delivered to the Chorley-based company last year. The operator regularly provides short breaks to the town throughout the year.

Roy

Norwich Today

Some of Dan High's photos taken earlier today feature in this post with the first subject being that of Completely Coach Travel's Van Hool TDX27 Astromega P29 CCT. It was formerly part of the Oxford Tube fleet, registered YJ14 LFW, and was acquired in 2023.



The second photo is of Sanders Coaches' ADL Enviro400 MMC 130 HM24 SAN picking up passengers for the X44 to Sheringham,



Lurking outside the Castle Mall entrance was Sunbeam Coaches' Mercedes-Benz K66 EXC.



The last photo shows another ex First Kernow Volvo B9 36227 BD12 TAV, complete with its Doncaster colour scheme, in use on First Norwich 38 service from Thorpe Marriott.



My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

Jubilee Bedford Escapes

One of Jubilee Coaches' Bedfords escaped from its Rollesby premises this morning to go for an MOT.



VJI 8206, a Plaxton Paramount bodied YNT, was new to Cleverly of Cwmbran as B610 DDW during May 1985. It has also seen use with Simonds of Botesdale (as their 4512 UR) and Turner and Butcher of Kenninghall.

My thanks to Will Drake for the photo.

Roy

Sanders' Latest Addition

After yesterday's fleet update I am reliably informed by Stephen Purkiss that Sanders Coaches received a brand new coach earlier this month.



It's a Yutong GT14 type with fleet number 803 and registration YK26 LCY which poses for the camera on the clifftop in the Seaview Car Park at West Runton. This is the first Sanders vehicle to have digital cameras instead of the traditional mirrors with side mounted cameras which provide all round surveillance via cab mounted displays.



My thanks Stephen for the information and photos.

Roy

Sanders Coaches Fleet Update

With things now beginning to settle down at Sanders Coaches, its time for a long overdue fleet update.



Following their entry into service last week, MCV eVoRa bodied Volvos 549 BU26 WTD and 550 BU26 WTE are now both based out of Holt, along with the three Scanias acquired from Mulleys Motorways (326-8 YT11 LPY, YR10 AZT and YR10 AZU)



As a result some cascading of vehicles sees five eVoRas all move from Holt to North Walsham and they are 518-521 B21 OOA-D and 524 BV22 HBN. Moving in the opposite direction are VDL SB200 number 400 YJ64 FWF and Volvo B7RLEs 501 DK09 DZD and 523 SK07 CGG.



The arrival of the three Mulleys Scanias has meant the the withdrawal of the short lived ADL Enviro 200s 409/410 YX63 LJA/C

Lastly, three further vehicles have recently been retired, the first being the final ex Go South Coast Volvo BR7LE 505 HF55 HHA, as well as Scania L94UBs 317/8 YN06 NXS/R.

I am grateful to Liam for the update and photos.

Market Gates Earlier Today

An unusual occasion nowadays where I was able to spend around twenty minutes this afternoon in observing activity at Market Gates in Great Yarmouth. The highlights were a First Eastern Counties Coastal Clipper bus on a Coastlink service and the sighting of an on loan decker.



The Clipper was Volvo B9 37570 AU58 ECT on the 14:25 X11 service from Norwich heading for Belton.



Another B9 was Coastal Red 36282 LX59 DAO picking up passengers on the 8 destined for the James Paget Hospital at Gorleston. It was new to London General as their WVL 915 and moved to First Eastern Counties in November 2022.



The loanee was from First Norwich in the shape of ex Leeds Wright StreetDeck 35287 SL67 VXR on its way to Martham on the 1A route.

Roy

Norwich Friday

Featured here are three sightings from Dan High's observations in Norwich's Castle Meadow earlier today.

The first is of Konectbus ADL Enviro200 273 YX61 DVR destined for Wroxham on the 5B service in its Hedingham colours.

Next up is Smiths Coaches of Blofield's Toyota Caetano Optimo V which was new to Haines of Banstead and acquired by Smiths in October 2017. It is seen passing First Eastern Counties Wright StreetLite 63319 SK55 PWZ

The last photo is another one of Sanders' new MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8RLE 550 BU26 WTE designated for its Coasthopper services.

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Norwich Sightings

Some sightings from Dan High earlier today in Norwich's Castle Meadow and the first features Sanders Coaches' 550 BU26 WTE. The new vehicle is a Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evora named Norfolk Navigator.



Out in service today were two First Eastern Counties Volvo B9s which had recently returned from Cornwall following the ceasing of First Kernow operations. They were 36173/5 BD11 CFX/Z.




Also making an appearance was Wright StreetDeck 35197 SK16 GVW. It's the last in Pink Line livery following similar 35194 SK16 GVT being sent away for repowering after its short stint in Great Yarmouth.



My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 11th March 2026

For the second consecutive week 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

First Eastern Counties Activity

Another coach has been added to the First Eastern Counties fleet in the form of a Plaxton Panther 2 bodied Volvo B9R.

20809 YN62 GXS was previously with First Berkshire & Thames Valley where it operated in railair livery for services to London’s Heathrow Airport. It was observed at Norwich’s Roundtree Way depot this morning.

Also present was another pink driver trainer in Volvo B7RLE 69436 WX59 BYN which was last with First Bristol, Bath & the West.

Concerning local operations, loanee Wright StreetDeck 35199 SK16 GYV has returned to Norwich and open top Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9 37066 CRZ 366 is over the pits for its MOT. Meanwhile, Lowestoft has Volvo B9 36177 BD11CGF on loan from Norwich

My thanks to Steve N for the information.

Roy

Norwich Earlier Today

Dan High reported some workings in Norwich earlier today with the first being Transport Made Simple's (Simonds) ADL Enviro200 9383 MX on the PR2 Harford Park and Ride. It has had a number of previous identities including SK07 HMO and was repainted from its white livery a couple of months or so ago. Simonds had earlier used the plate on a Van Hool bodied Volvo B10M.



Another Park and Ride duty was that of VDL DB250 East Lancs Lowlander YJ56 KCK on the PR3 to Postwick. New to Courtney of Bracknell, it spent six years with Tyrers followed by a brief spell at Lodges, whose livery it retains.



An unusual appearance was that of former First Kernow 36225 BD12 TAV complete with its Doncaster colour scheme. It later worked the First Norwich 13 service.



My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Update

The first thing to report is that First Great Yarmouth StreetLite 47484 SN64 CNV has transferred to First Lowestoft enabling 47501 SN64 CPU to return to the former.

HD Conect branded Volvo B9 37725 YJ09 OBW has also moved back to Great Yarmouth and has recently been observed in Gorleston High Street on X1 duties.

Coastlink ADL Enviro400 33816 YX63 LKE requires fuel tank repairs prior to its scheduled MOT next week. Another decker due its MOT is Coastal Clipper liveried Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37575 AU58 ECZ.

My thanks to Steve N for the report.

Roy

Saturday Shots

I was out and about around Yarmouth today so managed a few shots around my local area of some of the current First vehicles in use from Caister Road Depot.

Most of the recent arrivals from the South West were being used on other routes away from the X1/X11 services they were appearing on.  35672 MF22SYA is pictured here changing drivers on Beaconsfield Road heading towards the James Paget Hospital.

Sister 35674 MF22SYE was employed on the 7 service to Norwich which runs via Caister, Filby & Fleggburgh.

 

Heritage lveried 37562 FJ08FYN was pictured on the forecourt at Caister Road.

Coastlink liveried Enviro 400 33809 YX63LJU was also off its usual X1/X11 duties and noted on the 8's.

 

Finally on the way home I caught up with Norwich loanee 35199 SK16GVY, seen here leaving Second Avenue in Caister heading towards town.

Grahame.