Towlers Of Emneth ~ New Beginning

Since my earlier post that Towlers Coaches of Emneth are closing after almost 90 years of trading, I have received an update from John Wakefield. Apparently from the 8th April Towlers Coaches Ltd will be under new Directorship. All services provided will remain unchanged, as will the vehicles and drivers

The operator has been a familiar sight on the Fen highways for several decades with Charles James Towler starting the company back in 1932He continued successfully for 33 years and then he retired, selling his vehicles and the remainder of the business to Lawson Fox. Alan Charles Towler (his son) then took back the business on 1st April 1969 and continued as a sole trader for a further 34 years.



On 1st May 2003, Towlers Coaches Ltd was incorporated by Alan’s children (Mark, Wendy, Anton and Joanne) who ran the company as equal directors. Towlers was still trading from where Charles Towler started all those years ago, at Church Road in Emneth, Norfolk. They will retain their 1952 Bedford SB Duple EJD 510.

The foursome and, of course not forgetting most importantly Alan Towler, 'would like to send a massive thank you to every single person over the 90 years of trading, who have worked for them, hired our coaches or had any dealings with the company in anyway. It's been a blast! We wish the new directors all the very best for the future.'

The appended photo shows Towlers' Van Hool bodied Scania CAZ 7446 at Beach Coach Station, Great Yarmouth on 29th August 2013

Many thanks to John Wakefield for all the information, update and photo of the Bedford SB.

Roy

Service Alterations Registered ~ 6th April 2022

Just the one entry of local interest in today's Notices and Proceedings Report published by the East of England Traffic Commissioner..

Our Bus is to amend the timetable and route of its 80 service between Dereham and Wroxham from 22nd April 2022

The full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here soon

Roy

Ambassador's 271 service

Further to yesterday's post about the 271 Bradwell to Hemsby route not serving Shrublands Estate in Gorleston. I was contacted by a member of the East Norfolk Transport Users Group.

It appears that Our Bus used to serve the Shrublands Estate under their own volition. The correct route is Long Lane, Trinity Avenue, Magdalen Way and Church Lane. However, Ambassador failed to serve North Denes Road all day yesterday instead using Northgate Street.

However, I was determined to get a photo of the vehicle operating the service, which I managed to do this morning as GN07 AVF arrived at the Bradwell terminus on Green Lane.

Meanwhile one of the two B7RLEs reported as being purchased by Ambassador has arrived at the Semmence yard in Wymondham. GN07 AVK is the one pictured and both are expected to remain with Semmence

My thanks to the Users Group for the information and to Joe Wilson-Smith for the photo.

Roy

Norfolk Boost To Bus Services

Thirty-one areas in England including Norfolk have been chosen to receive government funding to boost bus services. However, other counties such as Suffolk and Essex will miss out on the £1.08bn pot of money allocated by the government.

The transport department said it gave money to areas which had the "ambition to repeat the success achieved in London - which drove up bus usage". The Campaign for Better Transport said the money awarded fell "woefully short" of what local authorities needed.

Norfolk has been awarded £47 million in funding but no details have yet been released by the County Council on how it will be spent. Although the County's Norfolk Bus Improvement Plan published in October last year should give some indication.

Roy

No Show?

The first working of the day of the 271 Bradwell Green Lane to Hemsby Beach service by Ambassador Travel failed to show this morning - at least through the Shrublands Estate it didn't! The passengers waiting at one of the bus stops didn't look too impressed as they were gradually being affected by the rain as no shelter was provided. I subsequently learnt that it was working the route today.

I had hoped that the new arrival would be operating the service through Shrublands today, in fact, a visit to the Gapton Hall site on Saturday revealed no evidence of it being there as I was overpowered by the presence of Levantees! However, I understand from Ensign's monthly report that two more B7RLEs are on the way to Ambassador in the form of GN07 AVK and GN07 AVM

Hopefully I may get a photo of the Ambassador service tomorrow

Roy

Last Day In Service

Today is the last day in service for two First Great Yarmouth Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs. Both 32206 LT52 WTM and 32213 LT52 WTW remain in Barbie livery and are expected to join the scrap line this evening.

I thought I would get some 'last day' photos and the easiest to track down was the latter which was employed all morning on the 8 route between Caister Second Avenue and the James Paget Hospital. It is pictured here opposite the former Magdalen Arms on the 12:27 from the Hospital.

The other one seemed to elude me as it was still at the depot and unlikely to see use today. However, a chance conversation enabled me to get a final photo of it on the forecourt after it being especially placed there for me by a member of staff.

A third similar decker, 32210 LT52 WTR, was also in use on the 8s and is expected for withdrawal soon following the introduction of recently transferred vehicles

The latest workshop news is that Volvo B9 37567 AU58 ECF has been off the road for some time awaiting a new gearbox whilst Alexander Dennis Enviro400 33812 YX63 LJZ is also needing some work carried out.

My thanks to First for the information and especially the placing of the decker on the front forecourt

Roy

Last Day of Our Bus 271 Service

With OurBus' six year reign on the 271 route between Bradwell and Hemsby coming to a close today, Will Mason ventured to Great Yarmouth to get some sightings of the last journeys.

On arrival in Scratby, Will captured Optare Solo SR 'Gordan' YJ62 FZD working the service towards Hemsby, My thanks to him for the report and photo

Roy