Back on the road again!! National Express (Travel West Midlands) 296 (BV69 KSN) at Barton Mills - 1 Jul 2020 (P1070028)

Wednesday 1 July 2020 (1226) – As a result of the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak National Express reduced their coach service network effective Tuesday 24 March 2020. From that date a limited number of routes operated on a temporary timetable with services numbered in the 800 series. Those services ceased completely after operation on Sunday 5 April 2020 and did not re-commence until Wednesday 1 July 2020.

When services resumed the Great Yarmouth to London service (which had been numbered 813 in the temporary series) reverted to service 491 and travelled via Acle, Norwich and Thetford running non-stop to Stratford then London (Victoria). There are two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0730* and 1140 and one from Norwich (at 1715 which also serves Cambridge). The northbound journeys depart Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich also serving Cambridge) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1300 and 1800. These services are expected to run until 30 August 2020.

The first northbound run on the day service resumed is seen here on the A11 at Barton Mills and was operated by National Express owned Travel West Midlands 296 (BV69 KSN), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in January 2020. Working the 0930 London-Norwich service it had called at Stratford (1020) and Cambridge (due 1145-1150). Passing here nicely on time it was due at Thetford at 1240 and Norwich at 1330. It would then work the 1715 return trip to London.

The coaches now carry a panel of safety instructions on the entrance door.

* service departs at 0745 on Saturdays and Sundays