Not Another One!

Another of First Great Yarmouth's Wright StreetDeck Electroliners has arrived at Norwich's Roundtree Way depot.



The latest is 36696 BF26 ZVJ which is seen here in a photo provided by Steve N. Thanks Steve.

Roy

Blue Wednesday

There appeared to be a predominance of blue in the photos sent by Dan High regarding Norwich activity yesterday.



Simonds branded Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini SN55 AGV was employed on the PR3 Postwick Park & Ride.



Seen at the same location is First Eastern Counties Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini BD11 CFY. It had recently returned from a stint with First Kernow and was acting as a staff bus.



The third photo features First Eastern Counties open topper 33427 LK58 KHL, another former First Kernow bus.

A fourth blue bus is Konectbus ADL Enviro200 YY64 TXP is shown here with fleet number 785 which seems to indicate the fleet is/has received a re-numbering.

My thanks to Dan for the photos

Roy

Dolphin School Trips

Two Norwich-based Dolphin Travel vehicles appeared on school trips to Great Yarmouth earlier today.



I first spotted their BMC 220 YJ56 XSR turning on South Beach Parade, while Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther BU54 DAY was later noted outside the SeaLife Centre on Marine Parade.

Roy

Electroliner Driver Training

To prepare for the introduction of Wright StreetDeck Electroliners on First Great Yarmouth services, two examples were observed on driver training earlier today.



Kai Gied saw the first, 36689 BF26 ZVA, about to enter Market Gates Bus Station while he pictured 36692 BF26 ZVD on Northgate Street.



A third Electroliner, 36690 BF26ZVB, was later viewed inside Caister Road depot.



My thanks to Kai for the information and photos.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 20th May 2026

Today's East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report includes changes to two First Eastern Counties services in the local area.

The operator is to amend the route and timetable of its 40/40A/X41/41A /41 services from St Stephens Street in Norwich to Halesworth / Bungay, St Johns Road from 31st May 2026.
It will also alter the route, start & finish points, stopping places and timetable of its X1 service between Market Gates in Great Yarmouth and the railway station in Lowestoft from 26th May 2026.

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

Roy

Latest First Great Yarmouth Activity

The latest from First's Caister Road Depot is that Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37139 SN57HCY has been withdrawn. The lime fronted bus moved from First Essex to First Eastern Counties during late October last year and almost immediately found work in Great Yarmouth.

It is shown here waiting time at the Halfway House (Alpha Road) bus stop in Southtown whilst employed on route 2 to Market Gates on 30th October 2025.

The other news from Great Yarmouth is that another new Wright StreetDeck Electroliner has arrived in the form of 36692 BF26 ZVD. In addition, Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini 37563 AU58 ECA has returned to service.

My thanks to Steve N for the update.

Roy

Second Electroliner Arrives At Caister Road

The second of First Great Yarmouth’s new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners has arrived at Caister Road.



36690 BF26 ZVB arrived at the depot early this morning and my thanks to Steve N for the report and photo. It joins 36689 BF26 ZVA which was out on test earlier in the week.

Roy.

Alfa In Lowestoft

Tim Miller provides a photo of Alfa Holidays' Mercedes-Benz Tourismo A156 BV25 LZL at Lowestoft Railway Station today. In the meantime the travelling contingent were sampling the delights of the town following their morning trip to Southwold.



Apparently it was one of two visiting with the other coach (BF23 CFG) previously returning to the New Beach Hotel in Great Yarmouth where I observed it this afternoon.

My thanks to Tim for the photo.

Roy

Barton Mills Surprise

At lunchtime yesterday David Slater was waiting at Fiveways, Barton Mills to see the Flixbus Birmingham-Norwich service pass through and was rewarded by the sight of unregistered First Bus StreetDeck Electroliner on delivery to Norfolk.


The Electroliner was heading eastbound on the A11 eventually destined for First Great Yarmouth. With fleet number 36690 it is to be assigned to First Eastern Counties Buses with the registration BF26 ZVB.


Later he observed Prospect Coaches of Lye, Stourbridge YT71 GHD, an Irizar i6s new in October 2021, working the 0840 Flixbus service 083 from Birmingham to Norwich.



This service commenced on Thursday 7 May 2026 and features just one journey in each direction. Eastbound it departs Birmingham at 0840 travelling via Coventry (0920-0925) and Cambridge (1120-1125) arriving in Norwich at 1255. The westbound journey departs Norwich at 1450 travelling via Cambridge (1620-1625) and Coventry (1820-1825) arriving in Birmingham at 1905.

Prospect Coaches was a Megabus contractor prior to working for Flixbus and this coach had from time to time worked the Megabus service M37 which ran on a similar Birmingham-Norwich route at very similar times.

I'm very grateful to David for the photos and detailed report

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 13th May 2026

Yesterday morning's East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report includes reference to five local services.

First Eastern Counties is to introduce a new 111 service between Lowestoft Bus Station and the Transport Museum on Chapel Road in Carlton Colville. Starting on 26th May 2026 it will operate Monday to Saturday excluding public holidays.
The operator is also to amend the route, start and finish point, stopping places and timetable of its 99A between the Kings Head Southwold and the Co-op store on Saxons Way in Halesworth / St Mary's Street in Bungay from 26th May 2026.

Sunbeam Luxury Coaches has changed the route, start and finish point, stopping places and timetable of its 4A service from Low Street in Sloley to the Waitrose Store in North Walsham from 14th April 2026.

Sanders Coaches is to amend the timetable of its X44/44A /X40/X41 services between Norwich Bus Station and the Station Approach in Sheringham from 24th May 2026.

Halesworth Area Community Transport ceased operating its Sole Bay Health Centre service from 1st February 2026.

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

Roy

First Lowestoft Repaint

Noted for the first time today in the latest First livery was former First Essex Streetlite 47647 SN15AEJ. Seen here entering the Bus Station in Gordon Road.

 Many Thanks to Aaron M for sending the photo over this morning.

Grahame. 

Work Starts On Open Topper

Work has commenced at First's Caister Road depot to return former First South West partial open topper 37796 LX59 CXO to active duty. The Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini is still in its Lands End Coaster livery.



The first of Great Yarmouth's new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners has arrived in town allowing one of the two loaned Norwich examples to return to the city.

My thanks to Steve N for the information

Roy

Mercs At Palm Court

After having lunch with friends, I returned home via Great Yarmouth seafront and found a Bakers Dolphin Mercedes-Benz Tourismo in the car park of the Palm Court Hotel on North Drive.



It was registered OO75 BDT and, naturally, I stopped for a photo opportunity! As I prepared to leave Barnes of Swindon's similar BV74 MYD arrived with passengers alighting for the same hotel.



Roy

Dolphin Repaint

After recently acquiring BMC 220 YK55 AUA from AFSC Limited (operating as Marett's Chariots). Dolphin Travel has treated it to a repaint.



Dan High's photo is attached

Roy

Konectbus In Norwich

Dan High provides photos of two Konectbus vehicles in service in Norwich earlier today. Hedingham liveried ADL Enviro400 602 SN10CFF was working to Potter Heigham on route 2.



ADL Enviro200 270 YX61 BXL is next seen arriving at Castle Meadow with the 5 from Rackheath.



Thanks again to Dan for the photos.

Roy

First Electroliner Arrives

The first of First Great Yarmouth’s ten new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners has arrived in Norfolk.

Zak Nelson-Griffiths provides a couple photos of 36689 BF26 ZVA on charge at Norwich’s Roundtree Way depot.

In the meantime two First Norwich examples (36551 BK73 AGY and 36533 BK73 AEX) are on loan at Great Yarmouth’s Caister Road for training purposes.

I am grateful to Zak for the use of his photos.

Roy

MNR Bus & Coach Day

The Mid Norfolk Railway's Vintage Bus & Coach Day took place earlier today, although I didn't attend! It was supported by Transport Made Simple and fortunately Dan High did attend and the following is a selection from the many photos provided.



The first photo features Konectbus ADL Enviro400 613 SN62 AVY being passed by ex Konectbuses (Hedingham and Chambers) Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL 587 PL51 LDU.



Among the next three buses pictured are two ex London AEC Routemasters RML 2305 CUV305C and RML 2401 JJD 401D which are flanked by former Southern National Bristol RELL6G/ECW 2700 HDV 626E.



Dan's Coach Travel's Scania L94UB Wright Solar B23 DCT was also in attendance. Named as Sybil, it was new as Reading's YN05 GXX and was subsequently acquired from Sanders Coaches.



Representing the new order was Simonds Irizar i6s YT26 AFK and Central Connect's Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Atlas/EVM Cityline RX25 TCJ.



Observed at Yaxham was former London Transport Country Area Guy Special / ECW MXX 317, a repeat visitor to the event.



A surprise appearance was made by Lochs & Glens Holidays branded Volvo 9900 bodied Volvo B11R SJ22 GZK.

I am grateful to Dan for the photos

Roy

Great Yarmouth Electroliners On Their Way

The first of the ten Wright bodied Streetdeck Electroliners for First Great Yarmouth left the Wrightbus factory yesterday on delivery to the docks at Belfast. James Brompton’s photo shows 33689 BF26ZVA on its way.

Three others left the factory today with 36690, 36691 and 36692 also heading for the docks.

My thanks to James for the information and photo

Roy

X11 Surprise

Ashleybus contact us via X (formerly Twitter) to say that Doncaster liveried Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36225 BD12 TAV was about to leave Norwich Bus Station on the X11 to Belton.

I caught the former First Kernow decker arriving in Gorleston about an hour later on the same working.

Ashleybus tells me that 36225 was used in Doncaster in 2022 at the depot’s open day and provides proof.

I’m grateful to Ashleybus for the information and photos. 

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Latest

The latest news from First's Caister Road Depot is that Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 36201 BN12 WOB has been withdrawn from service. The photo shows it in use in Norwich's Castle Meadow.

Meanwhile, open top Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37065 CRZ 266 has returned to Great Yarmouth.

My thanks to Steve N for his report.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 6th May 2026

This morning's East of England Traffic Commissioner’s Notices and Proceedings Report contains a large number changes to services in the local area.

Sunbeam Coaches of Aylsham has amended the route, stopping places and timetable of its 1A service between Tuttington Church and Aylsham Market Place.
It is also amending the route, start and finish points, stopping places of its 3 service between Aylsham Market Place and Hoveton plus the 4 between Aylsham Market Place and North Walsham.
Additionally it is amending the route and timetable of its 1B route serving Aylsham Market Place.
All changes took effect from 14th April 2026.

First Eastern Counties is to amend the timetable of its 101 service between Lowestoft Bus Station, and Crestview Drive in Gunton from 24th May 2026.

Sanders Coaches is to amend the timetables of six of its routes from 24th May 2026 and they are:-
9/9A Station Approach, Sheringham to Oak Street, Fakenham
15/16/17/19/20/15A Cadogan Road Bus Stop, Cromer to Holt Market Place
34 North Walsham Travel Hub to Tesco layby, Stalham,
CH1 Cromer Bus Station to The Buttlands, Wells Next the Sea.
CH2 North Walsham Bus Hub to Cadogan Road in Cromer.
X55/55B Post Office, North Walsham to Norwich City Centre.

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

Roy

Open Toppers Return

Just in case you weren't aware (!) First Great Yarmouth open toppers were out on the road for the first day of the Coastal Clipper 1C services yesterday.



Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL 37533 CRZ 166 was outside the Britannia Pier and Joyland in the glorious sunshine.



Continuing our walk south to the Wellington Pier, we saw 37067 CRZ 488 passing the new wheel and the SeaLife Centre. It was deputising for 37069 CRZ 622 which was taken out of service due to electrical issues.



Returning to the car we caught up with 37066 CRZ 366 on North Drive passing the bowling greens.

Roy

On The 146

On Saturday Tim Miller was a passenger on the BorderBus 146 service to Norwich and its return to Southwold and Beccles.



He took a few pictures during the trip made by Scania N230UD 211 BB06 BUS with the first featuring the decker on Northgate in Beccles.



The service ran 10 minutes late as it was being held up behind a First Eastern Counties working in Kessingland and unfortunately there was nowhere on the route where the time could be made up. The next picture shows 211 on a busy St Stephen's Street in the fine city due to the opening of a new Forbidden Planet store.



A photo of the Scania in the High Street in Southwold is next where the 146 service from Norwich terminated.

It returned to Beccles not in service and is pictured at Morrisons with its next working being the Beccles Town Service.

My thanks to Tim for the report and photos.

Roy

Norwich Yesterday

Some photos taken yesterday by Dan High on Norwich's Castle Meadow feature in this post which was delayed due to a new Wi-Fi hub being installed by yours truly.



Sanders Coaches Volvo B8RLE MCV eVoRa 529 BV72 KDD passed him on the X55 to North Walsham while his bus was going under the Magdalen Street flyover.



On Castle Meadow he sighted two Mercedes-Benz Tourismos, A17 AWE and P1 AWE, from the Eastons Coaches fleet.



My thanks to Dan for the photos.

Roy

Ready For The Off

Three of  the four open toppers pictured inside First’s Caister Road depot this morning ready to go on the 1C service.

Further news from the depot is that two Volvo B9s are currently off the road - 37566 AU58 ECE with a  gearbox problem and 36287 LX59 DBY with electrical issues.

My thanks to Steve N for the information and photo.

Late News: 37069 will not now be available due to electrical issue.

Roy

Open Toppers Start Tomorrow

Just a quick heads up to let you know that four open toppers will be out on the road for the first day of the Coastal Clipper 1C services tomorrow.

They are expected to be 37066 CRZ 366, 37068 CRZ 599, 37069 CRZ 622 and 37533 CRZ 166 which have been especially hand washed for their duties. The timetable can be found here. Let’s hope the weather keeps fine and the rain stays away.

My thanks to Steve N for the information and photos.

Roy

Evening Tour

A quick tour around the Great Yarmouth area earlier this evening which involved five coaches at Beach Coach Station and two on Marine Parade



Two Mercedes-Benz Tourismos at the former were from the Alfa Holidays fleet - A155 BV25 LZK (pictured) and 120 BV20 HND.



Also present was Shearings.com branded VDL Futura FHD2 T321 BBC operated by Bluebird Coaches of Weymouth.



Next to that was Taylor's Coach Travel's Scania K410CB6 / Irizar i6s K7 TCT based in Yeovil. A notice in the windscreen suggested it was on tour of the 'Little Trains of Norfolk and the Mississippi Paddle Steamer'



At the northern end of the site was Simonds Volvo B12B TCF 496. It is assumed it was waiting time to operate a contract working.



I continued via First Great Yarmouth's Caister Road depot which had nine buses at the front and another two in the layby awaiting attention. Five of the red fronted Volvo B9s appeared to have already been prepared for their next duties.



Two Caledonian Travel coaches were observed on my journey home with Mercedes-Benz Tourismo NH18 CGH and Parks of Hamilton's Volvo 9700 bodied Volvo B11R LSK 615 noted on Marine Parade.

Roy