Clipper On Sightseer

Following its arrival at First Eastern Counties Roundtree Way depot in Norwich over the weekend, partial open top 37065 CRZ 266 was employed on the 100 Norwich Sightseer service this morning.

The Wright Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL is normally seen on the Clipper open top services in Great Yarmouth.

My thanks to Dan High for the photo.

Roy

Norwich Friday

There are more photos from Dan High this morning following his observations in the Norwich area yesterday

We start with a photo of Central Connect's (Konectbus) ADL Enviro400 587 LJ59 LYG about to leave Castle Meadow with the 2 to Potter Heigham

Another ADL Enviro400 from the same fleet awaits time for departure to the City Centre. 652 Y7 THG, still in its Hedingham colours, was previously registered SN59 AVY.

Parked up at Norwich Bus Station was Prospect Coaches'  Irizar i6s YS25 RKE in Flixbus livery awaiting its next duty

Finally, Eastons Coaches' Mercedes-Benz Tourismo A18 AWE passed through Castle Meadow.

My thanks to Dan for the photos

Two Transfers

FirstBus Eastern Counties transferred two double-deckers from Norwich to Great Yarmouth earlier today.

They are Volvo B9 36226 BD12 TBO and. Wright StreetDeck 35676 MF22 SYH. The latter was also  on loan to Caister Road depot earlier this year when Luke Champeny got a photo of it at Market Gates in May on the 8s.

Thanks to Steve N for the information and to Luke for his photo.

Roy

Roundtree Round Up

The latest news from First Eastern Counties Roundtree Way depot in Norwich is the withdrawal of two double-deckers. They are Coastal Clipper liveried Volvo B9 37565 AU58 ECD (for the second time!) and Wright StreetDeck 35199 SK16 GVY.

On the single decker front, Wright StreetLite 63320 SK65 PXA has replaced Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 69552 BF12 KWP. The former returned to the City from Ipswich during yesterday morning.

A StreetLite not so fortunate is 63144 SN14 DWX which was withdrawn following a road traffic accident. It is awaiting engine removal before a final trip to the breakers yard.

My thanks to Luke for the report and photos.

Roy

Swaffham’s Bus Network

Yesterday witnessed the second day of the new Swaffham Bus Network and regular correspondent Jdraves1 recorded a couple of workings.

Here we see Mercedes-Benz EVM Cityline RV26 OAG on the S8 and similar RV26 OAJ on the S10 service.

My thanks to Jdraves1 for the photos.

Roy

Norwich Today

A couple of photos from Dan High's sightings today starts with FirstBus Eastern Counties Wright StreetDeck NewPower EV 71020 MXZ 7674 on Castle Meadow with the 20 to Spixworth.

The other photo is of Simonds Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BN17 JJY at Norwich Bus Station on the 82 to Roydon.

Thanks for the photos Dan

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 2nd September 2026

There are three entries relating to our local area included in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

All have been registered by First Eastern Counties with amendments to two services in the Great Yarmouth area - 2 Market Gates to James Paget Hospital in Gorleston and the 3/3B Market Gates to (3) Burgh Castle and (3B) Bracon Road in Belton from 30th August 2026

The other concerns route and timetable changes to First's 16/16A Lingwood to Silfield service from the same date

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

Roy

39th East Coast Truckers Convoy

Around this time every year the East Coast Truckers Children's Convoy takes a number of disabled and disadvantaged children in their cabs for a trip to Pleasurewood Hills. The public lined the route to clap and wave as the cavalcade passed through Gorleston this morning prior to arriving at the Suffolk attraction around midday.

As in previous years, North Norfolk-based Sanders Coaches were providing the support vehicles and its Yutong GT12 DS25 NCH Delia Smith appeared for the second year in succession after a recent refresh.

Roy

Last Route Workings

Following timetable changes, commencing today, First Eastern Counties ceased running some of its routes yesterday which are either being replaced or better served by other routes.

Dan High took photos of some of the routes affected yesterday and the first shows Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 36225 BD11 TAV with the Turquoise line's 13 from Spixworth to Attleborough.

Next is the 17 service between Norwich City Centre and Broadland Business Park worked by Wright StreetLite 47510 SN64 CRV.

 

On the 36A Harleston to Horsford route was Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2 69544 BF12 KWD.

His final photo is of a further Turquoise line working, the X13 from Attleborough, provided by Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 36199 BN12 WNZ

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Lowestoft Coach

Christian Newsome was recently looking through some property for sale on the internet and came across this large house with some caravans on the property.

One of the agent's photos shows an old coach under a scaffolding structure and he wondered if anyone had been aware of it before and if anyone knew it's original identity.

Many thanks for bringing this to our attention Christian and I wonder if any of our readers have any further knowledge of it. We would be pleased to receive any information about it by emailing us at eastnorfolkbus@yahoo.com 

Update:

‘Reg Vardy’ has quickly identified the vehicle as former Mid Wales Motorways JEP 861 which is a Bedford SB1 built in 1959 with Yeates Europa C41F bodywork. He remembers undertaking an MOT on it about 15 years ago. Thanks for the info and identification.

Roy

Coach Services Update

Jdraves1 reports that yesterday was the first day in public service of ex Sanders Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse HF54 HHA after replacing a broken down bus.



Mercedes-Benz EVM Cityline RV26 OAG has received its new livery ready for the Swaffham service with sister vehicle RV26 OAJ receiving the same treatment.



Finally, Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse HF05 HXE worked the final HL1 High Lodge service until next year.



My thanks to Jdraves1for the information and photos

Roy

Norwich Friday

A couple of photos from Dan High's observations in Norwich's Castle Meadow yesterday with the first showing another Central Connect decker on Konectbus service 8 Dereham fast. This time it was ADL Enviro400 MMC YX24 PLV.



Also putting in an appearance was Sunbeam Luxury Coaches Yutong GT G25 SUN which was heading westbound.



My thanks to Dan for the continuing supply of photos.

Roy

BorderBus Decker Sale

Looking through social media this morning I saw that one of the BorderBus double deckers is available for sale  A bus and coach sales website is advertising East Lancs Myllenium Vyking bodied Volvo B7TL PO54 ACY as being available requiring repair or for spares.

In January 2024 the decker went on loan to BorderBus from Suffolk-based Galloway of Mendlesham and subsequently became a permanent member of the fleet. It was primarily employed on schools duties and I saw it in use on the SET service on Hollow Grove Way in Lowestoft the following month.

Roy

Norwich Thursday

Dan High reports three of his observations in Norwich yesterday with the featuring Central Connect's ADL Enviro400 MMC 502 YX24 PLU on the Konectbus Norwich fast 8 service from Dereham and Toftwood.



The second sighting is of Sanders Coaches' Volvo B8R Plaxton Leopard 911 AV72 VKT on its way to Sheringham on the X44.



Lastly here is FirstBus Eastern Counties Wright StreetDeck Electroliner 36574 BK73 AKF being employed on the PR1 Thickthorn Park and Ride in its Pride livery.



Thanks for the photos Dan

Roy

37563 Last Journey

After withdrawal in early August, FirstBus Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37563 AU58 ECA was being prepared this morning for its final trip from Great Yarmouth' Caister Road depot by PVS of Barnsley.



My thanks to Steve N for the information and photo.

Roy

Central Connect Changes

In addition to FirstBus making changes to some of their services from 30th September, Central Connect are also making alterations to their network from the same date.



Mark C has directed us to the Central Connect website which provides further details. Essentially two of the routes in our area will be affected:-

Service 2 (Eaton to Potter Heigham via Norwich City Centre)
Some early morning weekday changes plus an enhanced Eaton service on Sundays.

Service 10 (Catfield & Stalham to Norwich)
Route revision in Catfield leading to a slightly altered timetable throughout the day.

Many thanks to Mark for the update.

Roy

Whipped Into Service!

Returning from his short break, Dan High sends photos of both of Sanders Coaches' recently acquired ex Whippet Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse buses in service.

552 BF63 HFB is seen on Castle Meadow in Norwich on its second day in use with a 43 service from Reepham this morning.

Just after lunch the other Volvo B7RLE, 551 BF63 HFA, passed through on the 23 service to Horningtoft.

Thanks Dan for the photos and welcome back!

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 26th August 2026

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report contains just the single entry which may be interest regarding services in our local area.

First Eastern Counties is amending the route and timetable of its 40/40A/X41/41A /41 group of services between St Stephens Street in Norwich and Halesworth / Bungay from 30th August 2026.

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

Roy

Two Sanders Arrivals

At the beginning of this month we speculated that ex Whippet Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse BF63 HFB had connections with Sanders Coaches. Dan High suggested links with the North Norfolk operator as it was being driven by one of their drivers.



Yesterday Stephen Purkiss published a photo of the two latest additions to the Sanders fleet, a pair of former Whippet of Swavesey Wright Eclipse 2 bodied Volvo B7RLEs. Both 551 - BF63 HFA and 552 - BF63 HFB are posed for the camera in the Heath Drive Depot Yard at Holt. They originally entered service with Whippet being used on the St Ives - Cambridge Busway in September 2013

I am grateful to Stephen for the use of his photo and the additional information.

Roy

New StreetDeck Registrations

Whilst visiting the bus lists on the web website, Reece Collison discovered the registrations of the fourteen new FirstBus Eastern Counties Wright StreetDeck Electroliners, destined for Norwich, which are reproduced below:-

I am grateful to Reece for sharing the information

Roy

Returns To Sanders

Stephen Purkiss tells me 'another coach that has very recently returned to the Sanders fleet is this Van Hool bodied VDL SB4000 type number 805 - W20 SCL “Arthur Charles Gray” which is captured about to pass the Magpie Close turn while heading along Nightjar Road at Holt'.

He continues 'Originally delivered new to London based Anderson Travel of Bermondsey in May 2007 with registration YJ07 JWK this coach previously joined Sanders from New Enterprise of Tonbridge in May 2009 and was later allocated fleet number 803. Having received Sanders cherished plate 537 FN in January 2017 it regained its original registration YJ07 JWK in February 2020 when the 537 FN plate was transferred to then recently acquired Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R type 922 - FJ11 GMU'.

'Withdrawn and sold in May 2022 to Llew Jones of Llanrwst, YJ07 JWK had subsequently passed to Kendal based KT’s Coaches by May 2023 where it received their cherished plate KTS 96G. Having once more reverted to YJ07 JWK it returned to Sanders in August 2026 and has now received fleet number 805 and their plate W20 SCL. As we can see 805 is named “Arthur Charles Gray” and like coaches 802/804/900 & 932 it also carries the retro livery first introduced back in the mid-1980s.'

I am grateful to Stephen for the detailed information and photo.

Roy

Coach Services' Acquisitions

Regular contributor Jdraves1 reports on the arrival of three vehicles at Thetford-based Coach Services.



Former Sanders Coaches' Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse HF54 HHA joined the fleet a couple weeks ago. It was one of a dozen joining the North Norfolk operator from Go South Coast (Morebus) during April and May of 2018.



The other arrivals are two Mercedes-Benz EVM Citylines RV26 OAG and RV26 OAJ which are due to be used on the forthcoming S8, S9, S10, S10A Swaffham routes.

My thanks to Jdraves1 for the information and photos.

Roy

First Norwich Service Update

Following MarkC's report on the forthcoming changes to First Eastern Counties services at the end of August, he tells me that the operator has now placed details on its website which can be viewed here. The page also includes links to the new timetables.

Turquoise Line 13 and X13 routes are being replaced. (Photo: Luke Champney)

My thanks to Mark for the update.

Roy

Fiveways Open Top

Yesterday David Slater witnessed an unusual sighting on the A11 at Fiveways, Barton Mills of London sightseeing tour company Golden Tours 127 (BD16 YEE), a partial open top MCV eVoSeti bodied Volvo B5TL.

David says it was delivered in May 2016 and is one of 20 such diesel powered buses (125-144) that the company is currently having re-powered with battery-electric drivelines by Equipmake at Snetterton in Norfolk. He suspects, therefore, that that is where the bus was heading.

He had seen their 129 (BD16 YEG) on 17 July 2026 heading in the same direction.

Thanks again David for the photo and information.

Roy

Will First 36283 Return?

Following our post in early July regarding the loan of First Great Yarmouth Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 36283 LX59 DAU to FirstBus Leeds, we have been asked when will it return?

It appears to be highly unlikely as it has now been sold on to SMT Bus and Coach Limited of Sheffield. A post on FirstBus Enthusiasts Facebook site shows 36283 at Rotherham Interchange yesterday with all vinyls removed operating on a 195 service to Treeton. Although it retains its Coastal Red colours, it has new fleet number 283 applied.

Roy

Additional Flixbus Service

David Slater continues to keep us up to date regarding local  Flixbus activity and tells us that a second round trip was added to their service 083 yesterday

David continues 'The original service commenced on Thursday 7 May 2026 and had one round trip departing Birmingham for Norwich at 0840 returning from Norwich to Birmingham at 1450 worked by Prospect Coaches of Lye, near Stourbridge.

The new round trip departs Norwich for Birmingham at 0830 returning from Birmingham at 1500 and is worked by Transport Made Simple/Central Connect/Simonds. This photograph shows YK75 LFV, a Yutong GT12 new in September 2025, at Fiveways, Barton Mills as it worked the inaugural run.

 

The only intermediate points served on the service are Cambridge and Coventry and the overall journey time is 4 hours 15 minutes.'

Many thanks David for the photos and keeping us up to date with developments.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 19th August 2026

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

Roy

Another B9 Withdrawn

FirstBus Eastern Counties HD Connect branded Volvo B9TL 37725 YJ09 OBW has been withdrawn at Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth with engine problems.



It was new to First West Yorkshire in June 2009 and transferred from Huddersfield to Great Yarmouth in October 2024.

My thanks to Steve N for the the information.

Roy

Seven Up

A total of seven coaches were observed at Beach Coach Station in Great Yarmouth this afternoon.



I quickly managed to capture a photo of Blakes Coaches Irizar i6s BC19 HJB before it left the site



Its departure allowed a clear view of Three Star Coaches' TC25 TSC, an MCV EvoTor bodied Volvo B8R that was brand new to the operator in March 2025. Beside it was regular visitor Gee Vee Travel's Youtong GT12 GT19 GVT.



Alfa Holidays had a significant presence with three Mercedes-Benz Tourismos present in the form of 128 BV22 WTJ, 149 BF24 AOX and 167 BV26 HTG. The last was new in May 2026



The seventh coach was another of the Three Star Coaches fleet TC25 TSC, another similar Volvo B8R.

Roy

Great Yarmouth Bus Changes

FirstBus Eastern Counties is making changes to services in the Norwich and Great Yarmouth areas from Sunday 30th August 2026.

In Great Yarmouth, service 3 will run between the Barrack Estate, Gorleston and Bradwell every 30 minutes. Additional route 2 journeys will operate up to every 30 minutes between Great Yarmouth and Barrack Estate, providing a bus of up to every 15 minutes between Market Gates and Barrack Estate for most of the day. Some route 2 journeys will also extend via the Herring Bridge, Gorleston and Bradwell to serve Burgh Castle.

The new timetable can be viewed by clicking here

Roy

ENTUA Public Meeting

The East Norfolk Transport Users Association (ENTUA) is holding its Annual Public Open Meeting next Thursday 20th August 2026 at 14:15 at The Citadel on Yarmouth Way in Great Yarmouth

Representatives from the local train and bus operators will be in attendance to provide short presentations and will be available to answer questions and respond to ideas and complaints from the audience.

Everyone is welcome to attend and my thanks to Steve Hewitt of ENTUA for the information.

Roy

Routemaster Surprise

An interesting visitor to Norwich’s Castle Meadow seen earlier today by Dan High (a little off route) was privately owned London AEC Routemaster RML 2306 CUV 305C.

Its destination was shown as being on the 11 service to London Victoria via Manor Park Station and East Ham Manor Way (?) 

My thanks to Dan for the photo.

Roy