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 New to DRM Travel of Bromyard in Herefordshire during 2016, the Volvo B7/MCV type has since been superseded by the B8/MCV model of which there are now more than twenty in the Sanders fleet.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

Still In Norwich

At least three Ipswich reds Wrightbus StreetDecks have been retained in Norwich to work some city services and Dan High got us some photos of the trio yesterday.

FirstBus 35914 BV72 TVF is pictured yesterday eastbound on Castle Meadow with the 37 to Hellesdon.

Next up is 35915 BV72 TVJ on another Hellesdon bound service

The third was 35918 BN72 TVM on First's 38 route to Ives Road

Rumour has it that some double-deckers from the Norwich area are expected to be employed on support services for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this month. Whether that will happen we will just have to wait and see!

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 22nd July 2026

There are changes to some local bus services listed in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

Sunbeam Luxury Coaches of Aylsham is amending the route, stopping places and timetable of its service 3 between Aylsham Market Place and Roys Department Store at Hoveton from 22nd July 2026.

With Sanders Coaches reinstating its use of the Station Approach in Sheringham, it has amended the route, start & finish point, stopping places and timetable of its X44/44A/X40/ X41 routes to Norwich plus the 9/9a service to Fakenham from 19th July 2026. The same amendments have also occurred on the Coasthopper CH1 to Wells-next-the-Sea and the 44 to Holt from the same date.

The complete Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to view here soon.

Roy

Vertas Visit

During this afternoon a coach from Ipswich-based Vertas appeared in the lay by in front of Britannia Pier. It was a Plaxton Panther 3 bodied Volvo B8R registered YX22 LTJ.

Roy

Last Electroliner Delivered

The last of First Great Yarmouth’s ten new Wright StretDeck Electroliners arrived at the Caister Road depot around lunchtime today.

36693 BF26 ZVE is pictured next to the bus wash after being collected from First Norwich’s Roundtree Way premises.

My thanks to Steve N for the information and photo.

Roy

Scottish Surprise

The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum held a special 'Low Floor and Late 90s' themed event at their Dunfermline site earlier today

One of the buses present was one which operated services in East Anglia, Volvo B10BLE T125 OAH. It was new in March 1999 to Ambassador Travel where it was employed on Norwich Park & Ride duties. It then moved to Blackburn Transport and later Transdev Lancashire United as their fleet number 205.

In 2017 it was purchased by York Pullman, where it worked local routes and contracts, including the York–Tadcaster corridor. Most recently, it operated with Dan’s Coach Travel in Suffolk and some of the operator's stickers can still be found inside the vehicle.

After over two decades of service across various operators, T125 OAH was acquired by Suffolk- based J&M Preservations and subsequently sold on to Scottish preservationists. 

(See comments below for additional information)

My thanks to Joe Wilson for the photos.

Roy

Gorleston Bus Diverts

Following the closure of High Road in Gorleston by UK Power Networks, buses have been unable to serve the High Street since Thursday of last week.

Buses are being diverted via Church Lane and Beccles Road and here is FirstBus Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36285 LX59 DBU outside the Kevill Arms on the former with an X1 service to Lowestoft earlier today.

Looking in the opposite direction, towards the church, another FirstBus Volvo B9 36197 BN12 WNX and Coastlink ADL Enviro400 33803 YX63 LJF pass each other.

The new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners were also employed on the diverted 8 route for the first time with 36691 BF26 ZVC shown negotiating the roundabout. One electric bus, however, did a complete circuit of the roundabout as the driver forgot about the closure!

Unfortunately stops located next to and opposite the church can cause traffic issues when buses pick up passengers there at the same time!

My thanks to 'Reg Vardy' for the photos.

Roy

Maurice Visits The Seaside

Dan's Coach Travel's Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B12M E23 DCT paid a visit to the east coast this morning.

Affectionately named Maurice, it was observed by 'Reg Vardy' on North Drive in Great Yarmouth and on the Lower Esplanade at Gorleston.

My thanks to 'Reg' for the information and photo.

Roy

Surprise Visitor

A surprise visitor appeared on Great Yarmouth’s seafront this afternoon in the shape of former Eastern National open top Eastern Coach Works bodied Bristol KSW5G WNO 479.

On loan to Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire, it began life with Westcliff On Sea during 1953. It is seen here being passed by a younger First Eastern Counties open topper from 2008 - Volvo B9TL CRZ 166.

My thanks to ‘Reg Vardy’ for his help with this post.

Roy

Open Top Returns

On Wednesday we reported the repaint of FirstBus former Land’s End Coaster 37796 LX59 CXO in its new First Bus explore livery.

Today it returned to First Great Yarmouth’s Caister Road depot where it is shown in the accompanying photo

Our thanks to Steve N for the information and picture.

Roy

Norwich Today

A couple of photos from Dan High's sightings on Castle Meadow in Norwich earlier today.



The first features Sander Coaches' Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R 935 BF63 ZSK providing the 952 service. It wasn't that long ago when it operated National Express services for Great Yarmouth-based Ambassador Travel.



Talking of long distance services, Flixbus liveried Scania Irizar I6s YS25 RKE was observed with its destination showing the 083 service to Birmingham via Cambridge. It is registered to Prospect Coaches of Lye.

Thanks Dan

Roy

Sanders Selection

'Reg Vardy' was out and about in the fine city of Norwich yesterday and provides a selection of photos of some Sanders vehicles.



The first features 526 BV72 KKA, a Volvo B8RLE /MCV eVoRa, exiting Norwich Bus Station on the X55 to North Walsham.



Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5TL 126 SA71 SAN is seen on Castle Meadow with the X44 to Sheringham.



Heading in the opposite direction was Scania K230UB OmniLink 325 YT11 LPN on its way to the bus station.



Also observed in the city was former Semmence Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther JL09 RSL which now has Sanders fleet number 933.

My thanks to 'Reg' for the photos.

Roy

Open Top Repaint

Zak tells us that the latest repaint to emerge at First Bus Great Yarmouth is former Land’s End Coaster 37796 LX59 CXO in its new First Bus explore livery.

The Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 hasn’t received any local branding allowing it to work as a spare on Norwich’s explore route for the rest of the season and also as back up for Great Yarmouth’s Coastal Clipper Cabriolet service.

It is noticeable that the middle doors have been retained and that First Kernow (First Cornwall) related displays are shown.

We are grateful to Zak for the information and photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 15th July 2026

There are a few entries concerning some local bus services listed in today's East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report.

Central Connect Transport Limited is introducing two new services from Diss Bus Station from the 19th July 2026. They are the 482 to Bridge Road in Framingham and the 81 to Beccles Old Market which will run Mondays to Saturdays.

First Eastern Counties is cancelling its 931 service between Market Gates Bus Station in Great Yarmouth and Ormiston Venture Academy on Oriel Avenue in Gorleston from 30th August 2026.

The complete Notices and Proceedings Report will be available to view here soon.

Roy

Caledonian Duo

A couple of Caledonian Travel branded coaches were observed on Great Yarmouth's Marine Parade this afternoon with the first belonging to Parks of Hamilton.



LSK 615 makes a return visit and is parked in front of the Sealife Centre with the Wheel featuring in the background.



Later on the opposite side of the road was Caledonian Travel's Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BV22 WUL.

Roy

UEA Graduation Shuttles 2026

Another year passes by so quickly and this year's University of East Anglia Graduation shuttles were in place this morning.



Again First Ipswich were helping out with some of their Wright StreetDecks on loan in their distinctive Ipswich reds colour scheme.



My thanks to Dan High for the photos of three of them, 35916-8 BN72 TVK-M, at the Costessey Park and Ride site earlier today.



Roy

Sanders Coaches Update

There have been a few things happening at Sanders Coaches since the takeover of Semmence during May.



Liam has provided photos of some of the former Semmence fleet with Sanders of Norfolk branding, including Volvo B9R / Caetano Levantes 937 EHZ 5362 and 935 BF63 ZSK. Also pictured is Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile 934 YN06 RVE



Another of the former Semmence fleet in active service is Volvo B10M / Jonckheere 850 Y176 KCS



Joining Sanders last month was DAF SB4000 Van Hool YJ07 JNO, new to Sanders back in 2007, it’s received its 50th anniversary livery and cherished plate W70 SCL plus fleet number 804.



Former Go South Coast Volvo B7RLE 505 HF54 HHA has been given a short reprieve for the busy summer season.



My thanks to Liam for the information and photos.

Roy