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.

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

Service Alterations Registered ~ 12th 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 the local area.

Sanders Coaches has amended the route, stopping places and timetable of its Norwich City Football Club NC3 North Walsham to Carrow Road service from 1st August 2026.

The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

LX59 CXO

FirstBus Eastern Counties part open top Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 37796 LX59 CXO has returned to RH Bodyworks at Diss for further attention.

I am grateful to Steve N for the update.

Roy

Colin White

Some sad news to bring is the sudden passing of one of our regular contributors Colin White.

Colin passed away suddenly last week, he lived in Gorleston and was a big part of Terminus magazine for this area. We met many years ago through the hobby as Colin often requested photos for the magazine and information regarding the local scene, he visited me on numerous occasions at home where we shared stories and photos as well as regular contact via email. I'm sure Roy also shared contact with Colin over the years. A gentleman and he will be sadly missed by all he knew him I am sure.

Our thoughts are with his wife Ruth and all his family at this difficult time.

Rest in Peace Colin.

Grahame. 

I was shocked to hear of this sad news, Grahame, and can only agree what a true gentleman Colin was. I first got to know him as editor of the Terminus magazine when I re-joined the Eastern Transport Collection group a long time ago after a considerable time of absence.

I also knew him through his requests for photos for that publication which I later followed up with the submission of many reports of local activity. I got to know him a bit more when both he and I were invited on an extensive tour of First Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot by the operations manager at that time. Very enjoyable company and we kept in contact via email and met up on a number of occasions.

He will be sadly missed and I would like send my regards to his wife, family and friends. RIP Colin.

Roy

Big Bus Show ~ Part Three

The third and final part part of our Big Bus Show feature concentrates on the independent operators' vehicles in attendance at the show earlier today.

Wright Coaches provided three Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches with two of them being shown here as X30 PTS and W30 PTS.

Smiths Coaches of Blofield was represented by Bedford YMT / Plaxton Supreme IV JKV 412V. New in December 1979 it was acquired by the Norfolk operator in December 1984.

Belle Coaches Scania K410EB4 Interlink YN72 ZYA also made an appearance. It was one of a pair new in September 2022 to Mainline Coaches of Gilfach Goch in South Wales

Finally my thanks to Dan High for providing a large number of photos of vehicles attending the event

Roy

Big Bus Show ~ Part Two

The second part of our Big Bus Show feature concentrates on the Sanders Coaches vehicles in attendance at Stonham Barns earlier today.

The North Norfolk operator's Volvo B8L / MCV eVoSeti 133 MA75 BEL 'Mabel Rose Sanders' attended adorned with its 44/44A/X40/X41/X44 branding.

Yutong GT14 803 AD26 SAN is one of the newcomers to the fleet being named April Dawn

The final photo is of Sanders' Bedford VAL 70 with Plaxton Panorama Elite bodywork SNT 925H

Big Bus Show ~ Part One

Earlier today the Big Bus Show was staged at Stonham Barns near Stowmarket with more than 100 vehicles registered to attend. Dan High visited the event and provided me with a difficult problem of which of the photos I should use of the approximately 70 he sent.

I decided to group the photos around a theme for each post with the initial group being of mainly First Eastern Counties/ First Essex buses. Here is Great Yarmouth Transport liveried Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37562 FJ08 FYN.

Next up is a trio of vehicles comprising two Eastern Counties Wright StreetDecks and a First Essex Yutong E12 65144 YK75 LJF. The StreetDecks were First Ipswich 35910 BN72 TVA and First Norwich Electroliner 36574 BK73 AKF

The third photo shows First Essex Yutong U11DD 30114  YK75LLU and First Great Yarmouth StreetDeck Electroliner 36695 BF26 ZVH

Roy

Sanders Vehicles For Disposal

Noted on the Used Bus & Coach Trader Facebook site are ten Sanders Coaches vehicles being offered for sale.

Nine of the total are coaches obtained from H Semmence & Company following its acquisition in May this year with two of them already sold. The tenth is Sanders' recently withdrawn Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse HF54 HAA which has also been sold. (Photo: Liam)

Details are as follows:-


Roy

Thetford Thursday

A change of scenery for regular contributor Dan High today as he visited Thetford for something completely different.



Coach Services' ADL Enviro200 YX67 VGG is observed leaving Thetford Bus Station on Town Circular T3 passing Central Connect's Konectbus pride liveried ADL Enviro 400 622 SN65 OAA waiting time for the 61 to Watton.



Meanwhile, Coach Services' former Nottingham Scania 270UD / East Lancs YT09 YHM is at rest in the bus station



A third Coach Services' bus, ADL Enviro200 YX14 RXK leaves the bus station 'not in service'. It was new to the operator in April 2014.



Our final photo shows pride bus ADL Enviro 400 622 SN65 OAA having arrived in Watton High Street on the 61.

Our thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Norwich Wednesday

Today's selection from Dan High, depicting bus activity in the Norwich area, features FirstBus WrightDeck New Power EV 71024 XIG 1724 about to depart Castle Meadow for Queen's Hill.



The second photo shows three FirstBus vehicles in different liveries. Coastlink branded YX 63 LJO arrives with the 7 from Great Yarmouth passing Wright StreetDeck Electroliner 36536 BK73 AFA heading for Longwater Retail Park. Closest to the camera is Ipswich Reds Wright StreetDeck 35919 BN72 TVO on 21 to Old Catton.



The last one is of Sanders Coaches Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban 523 SK07 CGG arriving at the Lyng bus stop with the 23 Horningtoft to Norwich service. New to Lothian Buses in May 2007, it joined Sanders during December 2021.

Thanks again to Dan for the photos

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 5th 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

Norwich Tuesday

More photos from Dan High reflecting FirstBus activity in Norwich earlier today with the first featuring Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner 63635 BK24 AAE on its way to Queen's Hills.



The Wrightbus StreetDeck buses have returned off loan from First Glasgow following the close of the Commonwealth Games. One of them was 35676 MF22 SYH on a Hethersett service.



Another recently returning from Scotland, and observed in use today, was 35288 SL67 VXS heading for Longwater Retail Park.



It continues to display its On Hire to First Glasgow legal information

My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Last Journey Awaits

During late last month we reported the withdrawal of FirstBus Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37563 AU58 ECA at Great Yarmouth.

Today it is seen awaiting the arrival of the grim reaper to take it on its final journey to the scrapyard, which is expected to happen sometime tomorrow.

My thanks to Steve N for the information and photo.

Roy

Norwich Monday

Three photos selected from a number sent in by Norwich regular Dan High highlighting activity in the City earlier today.

Our first shows that Ipswich reds continue to appear with Wrightbus StreetDeck 35919 BN72 TVL operating an 11A Sprowston service.

The second is of Eastern Counties heritage liveried Volvo B9TL /Wright Eclipse Gemini BN12 JVF. Number 36183 is seen on its way to Thorpe St Andrew on the 24 route.

His final contribution is a photo of former Whippet Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse BF63 HFB heading eastbound in Castle Meadow. Its last known place of residence was the Zero2 Bus Museum in Essex. However, Dan recognised the driver who was from Sanders Coaches and so it is probably connected with them.

My thanks Dan for the information and photos.

Roy

Friday in Norwich

Dan High's Norwich photos today include Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire's RML2401 JJD 401D. The ex London Transport routemaster was being employed on a wedding private hire duty.

Later Sunbeam Luxury Coaches' Mercedes-Benz K66 EXC headed west along Castle Meadow.

Earlier in the day Dan witnessed Konectbus Pride Bus Alexander Dennis Enviro400 622 SN65 OAA on the 30A service into the city from Lyng

Thanks to Dan fir the photos.

Roy

Norwich Today

Another couple of photos from our Norwich contributor Dan High on activity in the city earlier today.



Observed at the University of East Anglia was ICT Coaches of Norwich Yutong GT12 YH24 MGE.



Later arriving at Norwich Bus Station on the FirstBus Eastern Counties B service from Peterborough was Scania N250UD / ADL Enviro400 City 36916 YN69 XZW.

My thanks to Dan for sharing his photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 29th July 2026

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

Sanders Coaches has amended the route, stopping places and timetable of its 15/16/17/19/20/15A services from Cadogan Road in Cromer to Holt Market Place from 19th July 2026.

The full Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

First Withdrawal

Another withdrawal to report is FirstBus Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37563 AU58 ECA at Great Yarmouth.

I am grateful to Zak Nelson-Griffiths for the photos of the Coastal Reds liveried vehicle which is observed at Great Yarmouth's James Paget Hospital.in April this year.

My thanks to Steve N for the information.

Roy

Monday In Norwich

Further photos from our regular contributor Dan High on today's activity at Norwich's Castle Meadow.

The first subject sees one of First Ipswich's Wright StreetDecks still in the city with 35913 BN72 TVE on a Turquoise Line service from Attleborough to Spixworth.

The next picture features both front and rear views of Sanders Coaches 539 DM66 DRM specifically branded for the 6A/X6 route between Cromer and Great Yarmouth. New to DRM Travel of Bromyard in Herefordshire during 2016, the Volvo B7/MCV type has since been superseded by the B8/MCV model of which there are now more than twenty in the Sanders fleet.

The last photo shows the Norwich Pride Bus Volvo B7RLE 69543 BF12 KWG which moved back to the city from Ipswich in time for the Pride celebrations at the weekend. I understand that it may shortly be painted in the standard ultraviolet livery.

My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

Commonwealth Games Buses

As mentioned in our earlier posts, a number of FirstBus Eastern Counties double-deck buses have temporarily transferred on loan to First Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. Bus Times reports that ten of them have moved across the border including two buses from Great Yarmouth.

Mark Doggett was keeping an eye on activity in the Scottish city and yesterday evening observed Great Yarmouth's Wrightbus StreetDeck 35672 MF22 SYA heading for Scotstoun.

This morning Mark was again on the scene and captured former First Eastern Counties 35163 SK65 PWF now repowered as 71019 MXZ 7673. It now normally operates for First Aberdeen.

Later in the morning a First Norwich vehicle appeared in the form of StreetDeck 35290 SL67 VXU also destined for Scotstoun.

Also the second Great Yarmouth Wright StreetDeck was identified by Mark as 35675 MF22 SYG

I am grateful to Mark for sending his photos for use on the blog.

Roy

Forthcoming Changes ~ Norwich Area

MarkC was browsing Bus Times yesterday and saw that First Eastern Counties are to implement a significant number of changes for the Norwich area at the end of August. He found the following:-

13/X13 discontinued route split between 14 and new route 20
14/14A Continues to Attleborough
15 and 16 Changes to times
20 New route utilises part of 21/A and continues to Spixworth
21/21A, 21A cancelled, route 21 adjusted to 21A route, combines with 20 to provide 4 buses per hour on joint parts of the route
28/29/X29 appears to be at least some timetable changes including earlier and later buses
37/37B cut back to Hellesdon – City Centre 37B Replaced by 38B
38 cut to hourly but now Ives Road to Mulbarton
38A Airport to Mulbarton route mainly that same as 38 south of Fifers Lane
38B Almost Direct replacement for 37B
40/41/X41 services some major changes here even though cut back in May changes abound
40/40A both back to hourly but at a 20/40 minute interval
41 extended to Halesworth
41A Morning and afternoon journeys added
X41 major cuts, cut back to Bungay only one journey from Halesworth going to be mainly evenings only
41/A/X41 now mainly hourly out side the peaks combines with 40/40A to proved 3bph Norwich to Poringland at 20 minute intervals

He also says that it looks like the Turquoise Line may be disappearing.

Many thanks for the information Mark which he confirms has come from Bus Times as First Eastern Counties has yet to post anything but is expected to do so soon.

Roy

Flixbus Outing

Central Connect’s new Flixbus Yutong GT14 YG26 VML is observed in Thetford bus station running the Norwich to London Heathrow 950 service earlier today

My thanks to Jdraves1 for the photo

Roy

Norwich On Thursday

More photos from our regular Norwich contributor Dan High on yesterday's activity at Castle Meadow..

FirstBus Ipswich reds continue to provide city services whilst some Norwich buses are in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. This is their Wrightbus StreetDeck 35919 BN72 TVO on the 13 to Attleborough.

Fortunately Dan managed to get a photo of two Ipswich exiles together with 35915 BN72 TVJ passing on the 28 to Thorpe Marriott while 35917 BN72 TVL is destined for Spixworth.

Another decker getting in on the action was Central Connect 's ADL Enviro400 MMC YX24 PLU on the Konectbus 8 Dereham fast.

Also making an appearance was Sunbeam Luxury Coaches' Plaxton Elite bodied Volvo B9R P27 SUN

My thanks to Dan for providing the photos.

Roy

Green is Go

A couple of green machines were seen by regular contributor Dan High in Norwich yesterday beginning with FirstBus Wright StreetLite 63318 SK65 PWY on its way to Mulbarton on the 37 Purple(!) Line route.

The other was Prospect Coaches' Flixbus liveried Scania K410CB6 / Higer Touring PR73 KRS showing Birmingham 083 as its destination.

Regarding the Commonwealth Games, a  significant number of Norwich FirstBus vehicles have gone to Glasgow including many 22 and 67 plated double-deckers. Hence why so many Ipswich vehicles have remained at Norwich.

Thanks Dan for the photos.

Roy