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'Withdrawn and sold in May 2022 to Llew Jones of Llanrwst, YJ07 JWK had subsequently passed to Kendal based KT’s Coaches by May 2023 where it received their cherished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

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 HHA 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