First Eastern Counties 36918 (YN69 XZY) and 36906 (YN69 XZK) in East Dereham - 28 Sep 2020 (P1070793)

Monday 28 September 2020 (1146) – In February 2020 the First Eastern Counties Buses Excel (XL) service was upgraded with the introduction of a batch of new well appointed Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 City bodied Scania N250UDs which had been delivered at the end of 2019 in readiness for the launch. A new red based livery replaced the blue and gold livery carried by the buses previously employed on the service.

Two examples are seen here in Market Place, East Dereham. 36918 (YN69 XZY) was working the 1100 service B from Norwich to Peterborough and 36906 (YN69 XZK) the 0910 service B from Peterborough to Norwich.

Note that the buses do not feature traditional style rear view mirrors, cameras now provide this facility. Other exterior optical aids on the buses include four exterior mounted ‘fish eye’ cameras to record traffic incidents – examples can be seen on each vehicle in this photograph. (By the Subway advert on 36918 and above the driver’s rear view camera om 36906).

I had read of the planned upgrade at the New Year and was looking forward to a trip on the service soon after the launch. However, a bad back and then the Coronavirus Covid-19 lockdown put paid to that plan. So, some seven months on I ventured out especially to get a few photographs.