North Norfolk Competition

Sanders Trident 6546FN at Cromer yesterday.  Copyright SYD EADE

Following Konect's introduction of a new service to compete with Sanders Norwich to Cromer/Sheringham route, correspondent  Syd Eades thought he would give both of the services a try yesterday

He reports:-
'Despite the rain I ventured out today to experience the new Sanders/Konect services to Cromer and Sheringham. 

 I got a ride out to Cromer on one of the newly acquired Sanders Tridents, which actually carried route branding for the service 55, very clean and tidy inside but a bit faded seating. 

Konectbus Tempo MX58ABV at Cromer yesterday. Copyright SYD EADE

 The return was on one of Konect's leather seated buses which as always exude class. 

The passenger loadings were very light on both journeys and other services observed appeared to fare little better, although it was dreadful weather. 

I was confused by a few sightings of Sanders buses working service 42s which 

Sanders YN54AFO in Magdalen Street, Norwich  Copyright SYD EADE

should be a peak hours only extenson of the 44A to and from Sheringham. 

I have provide a photo of one of the 44s buses, taken about 2 pm inbound at Magdalen Street Norwich as well as my steeds to and from Cromer......and thank goodness the tea shop was open opposite the bus station!!!'

My thanks to Syd Eade for his photos and report

First ~ Great Yarmouth Update

Dart 43478 in Market Gates in early March 2011

The latest news from Great Yarmouth's First depot at Caister Road is that Dart 43478 R478CAH has now had its new engine installed and, following a few minor adjustments, should be back on the road soon

Volvo B12M 20515 WV02EUR is now back in service after having new injectors fitted.

The loan of Dart 43452 R452DPW to Lowestoft has come to an end and it has returned to Caister Road; Volvo B7TL/President 32200 LT52WTE has taken its place.

Anglian's New Gas Buses Begin to Arrive

Some of Anglian's thirteen new gas powered MAN EcoCity buses began arriving at their Ellough site yesterday, with more expected today

Photo Copyright Go-Ahead Group

The first of the Go-Ahead subsidiary's vehicles was used during a visit by HRH Prince Charles to Poundbury in Dorset where the Prince opened a new renewable gas plant.

The new plant is the UK's first fully operational commercial scale anaerobic digester and biomethane-to-grid plant, and provides renewable energy for Poundbury, the mixed use community being developed near Dorchester by the Duchy of Cornwall.

The EcoCity buses will be brought into service over the next two months by Anglian Bus with Go-Ahead investing in a gas dispensing unit at Anglian's Beccles headquarters to fuel the buses.

The buses are part funded under round three of the government’s Green Bus Fund which is aimed at reducing fuel emission levels by encouraging bus operators and local councils to use more eco-friendly vehicles.

Anglian's Managing Director Andrew Pursey was at the event and chatted to the Prince of Wales about Go-Ahead's use of gas buses.

Amongst the services the new vehicles will be employed on is Anglian's new 146 route which replaces its current 525 service between Lowestoft and Beccles which is being extended to Norwich. 

The 146 service begins on the 3rd December and the timetable has already been published on Anglian's website which can be viewed here

Norwich Friday Sightings

Yesterday morning I had a business appointment in Norwich which allowed for an hour or so of bus observations around lunchtime

My first sighting was that of a Norfolk Green Optare Tempo at Castle Meadow taking on passengers for its X29 service to Fakenham

YJ57EHX  has more than a passing interest in that, up until a year ago, it was owned by Great Yarmouth operator Ambassador Travel and used quite extensively on school/college work.

Pleased with that being pictured in Norfolk Green colours, I proceeded to the bus station in the hope of capturing one of the Konectbus bendybuses on film

I didn't have to wait long as I soon saw one of them negotiating the roundabout at the top of St Stephens Street.

With the sun being in the wrong position for a photo, I crossed to the central reservation of Queens Road for a better picture. With no traffic obscuring my view, (for a change!) I got this reasonable photo of Citaro 800 BD57WDA heading for the bus station

I then retraced my steps back to Castle Meadow, where I saw a number of operators picking up and setting down their passengers at the entrance to the Castle Mail shopping centre

Of particular interest was this 70 seater owned by Norse; YN60BZG is a Plaxton Profile bodied Volvo B7R

Pleased with what I had photographed, I made my journey back to the car on a former First Northampton Volvo B7L/ Wright Eclipse on a Green Line service

Dart Developments

The latest update from Caister Road is that work on replacing the engine in 43359 V359DVG has finally been completed and the mpd has returned home to Lowestoft

Dart 42450 R450CCV on Great Yarmouth town services in May this year

Lowetoft's 42450 R450CCV has passed its MOT at Great Yarmouth who are retaining it on loan for the time being

43478 R478CAH is currently awaiting an engine replacement whilst 43441 P441NEX is now back in service following repairs

Another Dart in the Great Yarmouth fleet, 43468 R468CAH, is having new rear springs fitted

Among other First vehicles, First Midlands exile 20514 WV02EUR is currently away having new injectors fitted

Finally, former First Northampton Volvo/Wright Eclipse 66347 MV02VDA was seen heading along the A47 Acle Straight, Great Yarmouth bound, this morning. The Green Line vehicle is probably to undergo MOT or light repairs at Caister Road

My thanks to Ryan for the Caister Road report

Swift Withdraws the 206

Swift Javelin G470LVG and Dart FJ53VDL at the Southtown yard
The VOR sign can be seen in the windcreen of the Javelin

Swift Taxis are to cease operating the 206 service with effect from the 19th December

The service, which links Blofield to Great Yarmouth's Gallon Pot PH via South Walsham, Acle and Filby runs just one return journey on Wednesdays only - market day. The current timetable can be viewed here

On the vehicle front, Swift's Dennis Javelin G470LVG has been noted at their Southtown yard with a VOR disc in the front windscreen. This means that this one time Caroline Seagull vehicle is not allowed back on the road until mechanical defects have been overcome.

Passing the yard yesterday afternoon, I noted that Swifts' only Dart FJ53VDL was still parked at the rear of the site currently out of use. This vehicle used to see constant use on the 206 route

My thanks to Joe Watson at Norwich Bus Page for his help with this article including the photo

Shrublands' Interloper

Noted in the late afternoon gloom today was Northampton exile Volvo B7L 66332 MV02VBX on First's service 2 between the James Paget Hospital and Market Gates via Gorleston's Shrublands Estate

It's an extremely unusual working as normally all the former First Northampton buses are garaged at Norwich and, therefore, one suspects this is either a loan or a very recent transfer

Unfortunately it was too dark to take a reasonable photo but one of her is reproduced here with the kind permission of  Kieran Smith; 66332 is pictured in Norwich bound for Wymondham on 31st August this year