First Update

A few movements to report which happened late yesterday.

Norwich Volvo B7L 66301 has returned to her home depot and has surprisingly been replaced by former Ipswich Scania 65588 (V588DVF), she was noted sitting in Caister Road Depot this morning on my way in to work!

Lowestoft ALX400 30886 has returned home after DDA work at Rotherham, it now has brightec displays fitted, new floors, staircase and seating arrangements to comply with the DDA criteria. 30900 made the journey North yesterday to have the same treatment.

30886 with new display pictured at Rotherham's Midland Road Depot yesterday (Photo. Roger Bellward)

Thanks to First for the information.

Bus To The Mocks!

Regular contributor Jamie Skinner reports that Norwich City College were using the Norfolk Showground as a base for some 1000 students sitting mock examinations earlier today

First Norwich laid on several deckers for transporting students to and from the showground with Tridents 33007 and 33155, former Yarmouth President 32202 and Gemini 36172 being among those noted

It appears as though it may have been a dry run for the real thing later in the year - in more ways than one!

My thanks to Jamie for the report and photos

Today's Yarmouth Activity

ALX400 32063 W223XBO - my trusty steed for the journey into town

Today meant an earlier start than normal to view activity in Great Yarmouth town centre and my means of getting there was by a former Leicester Citybus ALX400 in the form of 32063 W223XBD.

Luckily the front seats on the top deck were available and I grabbed one of them prior to contacting fellow blogger SteveW for a meet up at around lunchtime. Just as I was finishing the tweet, Northern Counties bodied Olympian 34186 S686AAE was seen just leaving the Gorleston High Street stop heading for the James Paget Hospital on the 8

Still with First Norwich's Green Line branding, 66301 exits Market Gates

After getting a pic of my bus, then on its way to Caister, I observed one of the Wright Eclipse bodied saloons recently transferred  from Norwich. 66301 KV02VVC, complete with Green Line branding was running back to the depot having completed a trip to Burgh Castle

Formerly with Excelsoir of Bournemouth, P803BLJ operates the ASDA shuttle

ASDA shoppers were enjoying the relative comfort of coach travel as Ambassador were employing Volvo B10M No 195 P803BLJ on the 600 route

Sanders Coaches Scania OmniCity 313 YN03UVM in its unusual 'Postcards From Sheringham' livery

Caetano Slimbus 43859 EG52FHD has returned to Great Yarmouth on loan
During the short time it has been at the Suffolk town it has gained the First
Lowestoft fleetname

Former Anglianbus Scania YN03UVM paid a visit to the town on a Sanders Coaches service from North Walsham. Sanders has adorned it with a 'Postcards From Sheringham' design, which I personally didn't think was that attractive

With high noon approaching, it wasn't long before Steve made his appearance shortly followed by one of the Caetano Slimbuses which had escaped from Lowestoft only a week or so after being transferred there

Olympian 34186 S686AAE poasses Enviro400 33824 YX63LKO in Regent Road

In the meantime, Olympian 34186 had returned from Caister and both Steve and I captured it on film passing ADL Enviro400 33824 YX63LKO waiting to head off to Lowestoft

We then adjourned to the local hostelry (The Troll Cart) for a spot of lunch, ensuring we had a window seat to observe the comings and goings. Unfortunately not much out of the unusual was seen from our vantage point

Last pic of the day was that of KP54KAX on the X1 but it was spoilt by some idiot getting in the way - only joking Steve!

After a welcome chat, it was time to go our separate ways and we vacated the premises; only to see ex Leicester Gemini 32629 KP54KAX about to leave for Norwich on the X1

Following a talk with a friendly Anglian driver, who had a little trouble restarting his bus, we bade farewell

Borderbus To Split Its 146 Route

BB62BUS on the 146 in St Stephens Street in Norwich during August 2014

Contributor Christian Newsome has recently been in contact to tell me that Border Bus is splitting its 146 service along similar lines to First's X1 route

His use of the VOSA website reveals the Suffolk operator providing the 146 to Beccles via Carlton Colville which then continues as a Beccles to Norwich service

This arrangement has been confirmed on Steves Bus & Train blog and I would like to thank Christian for his 'heads up'

Norwich Interlude

EU05AUN on the 39 service at Castle Meadow 

With business to attend to on the outskirts of Norwich yesterday, I was hoping for a little time in the city centre for some observations

It seems that when any news appears on this blog other bloggers in the area are quick to act on it. As Charles Caleb Colton would say 'Imitation is the sincerest of flattery'!

Never one to hold a grudge, my city centre visit also revealed two sightings of Yarmouth loanee ADL Dart 42921 EU05AUN on the 39 Purple Line between Mile Cross and Lakenham.  However, lighting conditions were not conducive for a good picture of the Dart on its return from Mile Cross during the late afternoon

Driver trainer S658RNA runs through Norwich Bus Station

Konectbus Gemini LB02YWY 

On my mid morning journey into Norwich, I noted driver trainer 60807 S658RNA heading eastbound on the A47 towards Great Yarmouth. I rued the missed opportunity of getting a photo of the B10BLE but later got one of the ex Caister Road saloon passing through Norwich Bus Station

Norfolk Green sightings on the X29 route included Dennis Trident/ Alexander Enviro 400 10054 SN13EEA Kev Graves and Optare Solo 47890 YN53SSZ

A notable Konectbus working was the appearance of Volvo B7TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini LB02YWY on the 16:10 service 2 to Sheringham

Talking of North Norfolk, Sanders Coaches employed a former Bus Vannin East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander bodied DAF DB250 on services in the form of 116 PM03EHU

Sanders Coaches PM03EHU passes through Castle Meadow on an inbound service from North Norfolk

Service Alterations Registered ~ 4th February 2014

McMaster's open top Leyland Olympian G520VBB active in
Norwich on City Sightseeing services

The latest Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report was published on the Gov.UK website earlier today

Publication No 2198 contains decisions on local operators' licences and changes to local services affecting our area

The only entry of local interest relates to an application to vary an existing service by David McMaster trading as Awaydays. The operator is to amend the route, stopping places and timetable of its Norwich city centre route 1 from 28th March 2015

The complete Notice and Proceedings Report can be viewed on the website by clicking HERE

Latest First Movements

42921 EU05AUN pictured at Hemsby Kingsway in April last year.

Latest transfers to report are Great Yarmouth ADL Dart 42921 EU05AUN has moved up to Norwich on loan with Volvo B7L 66301 KV02VVC moving in the opposite direction joining sisters 66334/66341 and 66344 at Caister Road.

Former Norwich Solo's 53119/53122 and 53124 have all been reported arriving at First Potteries Adderley Green Depot, Stoke.

Again thanks to contacts at First for the info.