Lowestoft Route 115 Photos

Following Christian Newsome's report on the  Lowestoft 115 service starting on Monday last, regular reporter Syd Eade sent some photos of the Suffolk Norse minibus in service

Syd says 'The first bus of the day turned up slightly late at Green Drive, which was extended to a six minute late departure once everyone had got on-board. The bus has to do a reversal here to reach the stop, so plenty of chances to get a photo. 

Two views of Suffolk Norse Irisbus YG52LGA on the 115 route
 in Green Drive and Swain Court yesterday

The winter light was again poor, but they came out average. The fact it was a service bus was very poorly marked, only a card with the route number being displayed in the windscreen almost entirely obscured by the wipers!

Interestingly the stop is at SWAIN Court, not Swan Court as shown in the timetable!'

My thanks go to Syd for his report and the photos which remain his copyright

Ensign Dealership Activity for December

One of the three Volvos Borderbus acquired from Ensign
 during August 2013. Photo Tim Miller

Most of you will be aware that Ensign also provides a dealership in addition to its bus services in the Essex area

Ross Newman provides regular monthly reports to many enthusiast groups and I include details of some vehicles movements from  Purfleet during December which may be of interest locally

Beccles based Border Bus has acquired its fourth former Metroline Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL in the shape of X643LLX

Also of interest is the disposal of  former London Routemaster RML2321 CUV321C to Bus and Us Limited of Melton Constable in Norfolk. New to London Transport in October 1965 she passed to London General on privatisation and was withdrawn in July 2005 and sold to Ensign. After use by a number of independent owners she returned Ensign for a second time

The third vehicle of interest is DAF SB3000/Ikarus P887PWW, which is now with JD International of Lowestoft. Her previous history includes a spell with Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight

Burgh Castle Service 5

First Great Yarmouth 43860 EG52FGF arriving at the Blue Sky
bus stop in Market Road during yesterday afternoon

With road works under way in Butt Lane in Burgh Castle all this week, First Great Yarmouth's service 5 is being rerouted

The road closure means the service is being diverted along  Beccles Road and New Road to Belton then via Stepshort and Mill Road to Market Road.

Additionally Norfolk County Council are providing a free shuttle service from the Post Office and Blue Sky Park in Market Road to connect with service leaving Blue Sky at 10:20, 12:20 and 14:20.

I viewed the arrangements yesterday and noted a Swift Taxi minibus waiting for passengers off the 14:20 wanting to use the shuttle; but nobody did!

Bus Stop Flag at Dereham

Eastline Bus Stop Flag

A former work colleague, Peter Warner, has brought the following to my attention

'Thought you might be interested in this photo, taken on Saturday, of an ECOC bus stop flag still extent on the old A47 near Dereham. No buses pass along the road now and haven't done so for many years and hence, I suspect, its survival. I believe Eastline was the initial branding for the Peterborough to Great Yarmouth service following the Peterborough to Kings Lynn Rail-link initiative - but please correct me if I am wrong!'

LL750 MCL932P at Norwich Bus Station in December 1983 

Following the receipt of Peter's email, I contacted regular contributor Syd Eade to ask for his comments ...

'The 794 service was a commercial route and nothing to do with the railways; that was the Hunstanton-Kings Lynn-Peterborough service which had a dedicated coach for it. 

I have sent a couple of photos which may help your article. None of them are particularly high quality due to my cheap camera in those days, I never 

VR285 VEX285X at Peterborough in 1998

thought the photos would be of interest to anyone else at the time!'

Some great photos there Syd and its a pity I couldn't use all the ones you supplied. Both are copyright Syd Eade

It's interesting to note that the price of a Norwich to Peterborough return ticket at one time was only £2.50!

Suffolk Norse 115

Another new bus service starting today was the Lowestoft town 115 route operated by Suffolk Norse

Contributor Christian Newsome writes: 'Suffolk Norse used two Iveco minibuses on the first run. The buses did not have the new Suffolk Norse logos but were in just plain all over white. On the way out of Lowestoft, on the second run, we passed a 107 Suffolk Norse enviro bus which had no one on it.

The fares are cheaper than Anglian and First buses into Lowestoft. The driver did say to passengers that if both buses do not get used they will be withdrawn. However, on the two runs I made the Iveco minibus was full. As this is a new venture for Suffolk Norse I hope it is profitable for them.

The 115 links Lowestoft Bus Station with Pakefield's Morrisons store and runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only with four services being operated each way

My thanks to Christian for making me aware of the new service and photos of the route will no doubt appear in due course

Konect With Anglian!

Ex Anglian Versa AU08DKL at Blofield Heath on the 52 service

Today being Blue Monday, as the media call it, it was rather apt that some Anglian buses were getting that blue feeling too!

It was Konect's first day of operating three hitherto Anglian routes with four Anglian Optare Solos being transferred to Konect to help to run them. Other former Anglian vehicles also made an appearance

Regular contributor Syd

One of the Optare Solos transferred from Anglian to Konect over the weekend.
YN57HPX has already had the Anglian fleetnames removed

Eade was there to witness developments first hand

 'I had a run out to Blofield Heath on the service 52, which previously ran to Acle. The terminal loop certainly uses some narrow country lanes. It was a suitable bus as well, being an Ex Anglian Versa.

A couple of the ex Anglian Solos were in evidence in Norwich with the Anglian

The full sized bus Optare Tempo YJ57EGX unusually works the 51 route

branding removed. YN57HPX being seen in Castle Meadow.

A real surprise was the appearance of a full size bus on the 51 to Little Plumstead, this route has been Solo worked for along time, with the section to Pilson Green served by an out and back afternoon turn. The luxury of leather seats enhanced the experience. Konect know how to make an entrance.

Wide Solo V51RHZ on the 50A service to Gertrude Road

The use of wide Solo V51RHZ on the 50A to Gertrude Road  was also unusual as it is normally slim lines due to the narrow roads. That may be why it is being driven by Steve Royal, the Operations Manager!'

My thanks to Syd for his detailed report and subsequent updates. The photos were also supplied by Syd  who retains their copyright

New Borderbus Depot

The new Borderbus depot at Moor Business Park in Beccles

Some readers may recall the setting up of Borderbus by former Anglianbus Managing Director Andrew Pursey

The Eastern Area Traffic Commissioner subsequently received an application from Borderbus for a new operating centre at Moor Business Park at Ellough Road in Beccles

The site, previously used by a street lighting contractor, is next door but one to Lamberts Coaches yard and has authorisation for six vehicles

Neil Chilvers looked in at the site on Saturday and saw two of the three former Metroline Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs present

Thanks for the report and photo Neil