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First Eastern Counties Bus Blog 

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Goodbye Norwich, Hello Yarmouth

Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL FJ08FYN (37562) will be saying her goodbyes to Norwich tomorrow morning as she will be transferring back to Great Yarmouth on a permanent basis.

 

37562 on Castle Meadow in late June 2015

She first joined Eastern Counties on loan during late 2009 and had a short stay at Kings Lynn depot for the X1 Excel service between Peterborough and Lowestoft. She was then for sale with Ensignbus in 2013 and acquired by Eastern Counties where she was then painted into 'Olympia' livery and was based at Great Yarmouth depot. She was used mainly on X1 reliefs between Great Yarmouth and Norwich with occasional appearances on the 1/1A, 8s and Bernard Matthews contracts. She then left Great Yarmouth for Lowestoft in mid 2014 when their new service 99 operating between Lowestoft and Kessingland was soon to begin. Later finding herself in Norwich as a permanent fleet member, she was used mainly on University services 25/26 with occasional appearances on City work, Private Hire and Rail Replacement up until this day.

Dennis Trident bodied Plaxton Presidents 33004 (LK51UZT), 33007 (LK51UZE) and 33246 (LT52WUX) are expected to follow shortly.

 

 

First Two Streetdecks arrive and more



35194 at Roundtree Way depot Wednesday afternoon having just arrived

Wednesday saw the arrival of Two of Norwich's brand new WrightBus Streetdecks for the Pink Line services 11 and 12 between Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and Wroxham. 35193 (SK16GVR) and 35194 (SK16GVT) were the first to arrive with more expected soon. All of the Nine should have arrived by early next week. Once they are fully branded they'll feature on a launch day at the Hospital and Forum to show off to the general public the new style bus that is offered before going out onto the City roads.

New style branding is set to hit the streets of Norwich very soon with the Alexander Dennis Enviro200s for the new Charcoal Line service 40 between Norwich and Poringland being the first to receive it ready for their first day on the road on Monday. This new branding won't just be applied on the Streetdecks and Enviro200s, but the whole of the Norwich fleet. This will mean the Grey scale 'NORWICH' vinyls on the sides being no longer and a new style design being introduced.

44517 outside the shutters at Roundtree Way depot
Soon to carry the new style branding.

Volvo B12M Plaxton Paragons 20500 (AO02RBX) and 20501 (AO02RBY) are both destined to transfer to Great Yarmouth depot. With 20501 being the first to leave during late yesterday evening. They are to be used on a new Bernard Matthews contract which will run from Great Yarmouth to Great Witchingham factory; this will start on Monday the 4th of April.

Aircoach comes to Norwich

I was rather shocked this afternoon when I received a message informing me that Volvo B12M Plaxton bodied Paragon 20500 AO02RBX is now a permanent member of the Eastern Counties fleet.

A very stunning 20500 at Vulcan Road depot

The former Essex vehicle is not unfamiliar with the area however as back in the day she was branded for X1 Excel duties. During her Essex days she was branded up for and used on the 'aircoach' service
X30 between Stansted Airport and Southend. She will be kept in her current livery and undergo debranding as soon as possible.
 

All aboard the Charcoal Line!

Yes that's right! As of Monday 4th April First will be starting a new Charcoal Line service 40. The service will operate from St Stephens Street in the City Centre (Stand BQ) and operate to Poringland. The direct service will operate via the main Bungay Road and Trowse bypass. Operating every 30 minutes serving the Eastern side of Poringland providing a fast connection between the City Centre and the village. Ran by Two former Ipswich Enviro200s which will be transferred to Norwich as soon as the route cancellation for the 53 service in Ipswich go ahead which will spare up Two buses.

Two Enviro200s that will soon be based at Norwich © Bryan Dickson

Ipswich send a Loan to Norwich 

Loaned to Norwich from Ipswich on Monday 08th February,
to help cover additional routes in Norwich, by way of the City College shuttles come's Ipswich prized possession 20514.

First Eastern Counties Ipswich based
20514 WV02 EUP, Volvo B12M Plaxton Paragon
seen below just before leaving Ipswich
and after just arriving at Vulcan Road Norwich. 

Copyright to Joe Thorpe 20514 

20514 Copyright ST Lovely Refurb Saloon :)

20514 Copyright ST Saloon Refurb looking great!

20514 Copyright ST Drivers Cab :)

20514 Copyright ST Prewash by hand. 

20514 Copyright Prewash by hand 

20514 Copyright ST Flipdot First 

20514 Copyright ST Flipdot Eastern Counties 

To add.....

Also taking part in the shuttles/route over the next week is is one of Firsts Routemaster's!

In the way of 

First Eastern Counties 39623 NML623E

Seen below working on St Stephens Street in Norwich

working The Christmas Special Service,
 'Rudolphs Routemaster'
in aid of children's charity EACH
(East Anglians Chrildrens Hospice)
on 21st December 2015.

39623 NML623E Copyright Cameron Robinson Flickr

Also, if you or a friend or family member wishes to hire either of these vehicles, head over to First Eastern Counties Official Website for more information! Perfect for any occasion!Click Here> http://goo.gl/TWw5y7



That's all so far from FEC Bus Blog! 
Have a good week people!

Norwich latest

Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown 60626 (R789WKW) is currently at Roundtree Way depot awaiting collection tonight by ASW which will then take it home to the Midland Road depot in Rotherham late tonight. The B10BLE was on loan to Norwich from Rotherham to act as a paint float.

60626 on Castle Meadow working the Yellow Line service 28 to Thorpe Marriott

In return will be freshly painted Volvo B7TL Plaxton President 32105 (LT02ZCU) which now carries 'Olympia 2' livery and is branded for the Yellow Line. Carrying a Yellow front, it joins sisters 32106 (LT02ZCV) and 32107 (LT02ZCX) which both returned a few weeks back. These are also both branded for the Yellow Line.

Dennis Tridents 33149 (LR02LXH) and 33056 (LN51GKP) which were previously branded for the Yellow Line and carry 'Barbie' livery have now been de-branded and are now spare 'Network' vehicles for use on services all over the City.

A fresh looking 32105 at Midland Road depot © Darren Sentence

Latest Updates

 On the Norwich front, Volvo B7TL Plaxton President 32106 (LT02ZCV) returned during early hours of this morning with sister 32105 (LT02ZCU) going in the opposite direction to receive the same treatment where she joins sister 32107 (LT02ZCX) which I can confirm has been started started on and should be done by next week. 32106 shall be vinyled up with 'NORWICH' lettering at Vulcan Road depot tomorrow and is due out following a full inspection and road testing and should be hitting the roads on Monday.

32106 sits at Vulcan Road depot this afternoon.

In Great Yarmouth, Wright bodied B10BLE Renowns 66168/9 are now withdrawn due to being non DDA compliant. But remain available for Bernard Matthews work. They both currently join withdrawn Olympians 34108 (W435CWX) and 34114 (W434CWX) round the back of the Caister Road depot.

66169 on the forecourt of the Caister Road depot a couple of weeks ago.

At Lowestoft, all former Bath ADL Darts are now in service with all Jersey Darts saying bye bye to Norfolk and hello to their new home of Kernow.

 

On all buses around Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, on a weekend, you can now buy a High 5 group ticket for just £5! Available to use on all First buses around Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

Lowestoft fleet update

The four remaining Dennis Dart Caetano Nimbus' at FEC are to all move South down to Camborne tomorrow where they'll be then prepped for use on Kernow routes. I am also informed that following this, the final Four Darts are due from Bath which will then complete the transfers for the moment. One of which is in the new livery and contains leather seats!

'Jersey Dart' 43859 on Gordon Road in Lowestoft Town Centre.

Finally, Former Great Yarmouth B9 Gemini 37577 (AU58EDF) now wears Lowestoft branding as does former Bath ADL Dart 42926 (SN05EAE).