National Express coaches 2020s

Tuesday 1 September 2020 (0805) – Whippet Coaches NX19 (BL17 XAX), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in June 2017, seen at Parkside, Cambridge loading as the 0815 National Express service 075 to London Victoria.

Tuesday 1 September 2020 (0714) – City of Oxford Motor Services Limited 59 (BM68 AHU), a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B11RT new in February 2019, seen at Parkside, Cambridge between trips on National Express service 737. It had worked the 0630 trip from Stansted arriving here at 0715 and departed at 0820 for Oxford at 0820 (arriving there at 1300). Looking at the timetable it looked like it may have worked the 0200 service from Oxford to Stansted (arriving at 0535).

Tuesday 1 September 2020 (0718) – City of Oxford Motor Services Limited 59 (BM68 AHU), a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B11RT new in February 2019, seen at Parkside, Cambridge between trips on National Express service 737. It had worked the 0630 trip from Stansted arriving here at 0715 and departed at 0820 for Oxford at 0820 (arriving there at 1300). Looking at the timetable it looked like it may have worked the 0200 service from Oxford to Stansted (arriving at 0535).

Tuesday 1 September 2020 (0715) – City of Oxford Motor Services Limited 59 (BM68 AHU), a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B11RT new in February 2019, seen at Parkside, Cambridge between trips on National Express service 737. It had worked the 0630 trip from Stansted arriving here at 0715 and departed at 0820 for Oxford at 0820 (arriving there at 1300). Looking at the timetable it looked like it may have worked the 0200 service from Oxford to Stansted (arriving at 0535).

Wednesday 1 July 2020 (0922) – 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 southbound run on the day service resumed is seen here on the A11 near Barton Mills and was operated by Ambassador Travel 214 (BV19 XRA), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K360 new in June 2019, which was working the 0745 departure from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria). Having left Thetford at 0905 it was spot on time as it passed Barton Mills 15 minutes later. Face masks are worn by the driver and the person sitting in the courier seat - the latter possibly a member of the crew travelling as a supervisor. * service departs at 0745 on Saturdays and Sundays

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. * service departs at 0745 on Saturdays and Sundays

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

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

Wednesday 1 July 2020 (1327) – 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. West Midland Travel worked the 0930 northbound service out of London with the two vehicles from the Great Yarmouth end being provided by Ambassador Travel. Ambassador Travel 216 (BV69 KPT), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K360 new in October 2019, which was working the 1140 departure from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria) was seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills. Having left Thetford at 1310 it was spot on time as it passed Barton Mills 17 minutes later. * service departs at 0745 on Saturdays and Sundays

Wednesday 1 July 2020 (1327) – 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. West Midland Travel worked the 0930 northbound service out of London with the two vehicles from the Great Yarmouth end being provided by Ambassador Travel. Ambassador Travel 216 (BV69 KPT), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K360 new in October 2019, which was working the 1140 departure from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria) was seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills. Having left Thetford at 1310 it was spot on time as it passed Barton Mills 17 minutes later. * service departs at 0745 on Saturdays and Sundays

Wednesday 1 July 2020 (1327) – 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. West Midland Travel worked the 0930 northbound service out of London with the two vehicles from the Great Yarmouth end being provided by Ambassador Travel. Ambassador Travel 216 (BV69 KPT), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K360 new in October 2019, which was working the 1140 departure from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria) was seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills. Having left Thetford at 1310 it was spot on time as it passed Barton Mills 17 minutes later. * service departs at 0745 on Saturdays and Sundays

Due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic National Express cut back its services effective Tuesday 24 March 2020 to a reduced network as shown on this map. Effective Wednesday 1 April 2020 the number of trips on this reduced network was further cut back with the announcement that effective 2359 hours on Sunday 5 April 2020 all services would cease until at least 1 June 2020.

In response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and the consequential reduction in passengers, National Express cut many services 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. The service passing close to where I live was service 813 which operated from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria Coach Station) via Norwich, Thetford, Newmarket, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and Stratford with two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0620 and 1050) and one from Norwich (at 1530). The northbound journeys departed Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich only) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1200 and 1630. The coaches for these services were provided as by the following operators: 0620 Great Yarmouth-Victoria (1055) returning as the 1200 Victoria-Great Yarmouth (1630) worked by Ambassador Travel (215 (BV19 XPU) on 27 March) 1050 Great Yarmouth-Victoria (1525) returning as the 1630 Victoria-Great Yarmouth (2055) worked by Whippet Coaches (NX28 (BV67 JZN) on 26 March) 0930 Victoria-Norwich (1320)/1530 Norwich-Victoria (1925) worked by National Express (Travel West Midlands) (SH281 (BV19 XON) on both 25/26 March) The following week effective Wednesday 1 April 2020 the number of trips on this reduced network was further cut back along the announcement that effective 2359 hours on Sunday 5 April 2020 all services would cease until at least 1 June 2020. Service 813 was reduced to just one trip each way between Norwich and Victoria leaving Norwich at 1130 and returning from Victoria at 1630 (with the timings the same as had been on the curtailed 1050 Great Yarmouth-Victoria (1525) returning as the 1630 Victoria-Great Yarmouth). This was operated by Whippet Coaches (NX28 (BV67 JZN) on 4 April).

Monday 17 May 2019 (0930) – Today the Covid lockdown conditions were eased the coach services of National Express and Megabus were resumed on the routes from Norfolk to London. Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited 215 (BV19 XPU), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K360 new in June 2019, is seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 0730 National Express service 491 from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria). Service 491 featured three trips on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays with just one trip on the other three days. Ambassador Travel worked the 0730 and 1140 journeys southbound (returning from Victoria at 1300 and 1800 respectively). The 0930 northbound from Victoria which returned from Great Yarmouth at 1440 was worked by National Express owned Travel West Midlands.

Monday 17 May 2021 (0930) – Today the Covid lockdown conditions were eased the coach services of National Express and Megabus were resumed on the routes from Norfolk to London. Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited 215 (BV19 XPU), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K360 new in June 2019, is seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 0730 National Express service 491 from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria). Service 491 featured three trips on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays with just one trip on the other three days. Ambassador Travel worked the 0730 and 1140 journeys southbound (returning from Victoria at 1300 and 1800 respectively). The 0930 northbound from Victoria which returned from Great Yarmouth at 1440 was worked by National Express owned Travel West Midlands.

Monday 17 May 2021 (1332) – Today the Covid lockdown conditions were eased the coach services of National Express and Megabus were resumed on the routes from Norfolk to London. Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited 214 (BV19 XRA), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K360 new in June 2019, is seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 1140 National Express service 491 from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria). Service 491 featured three trips on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays with just one trip on the other three days. Ambassador Travel worked the 0730 and 1140 journeys southbound (returning from Victoria at 1300 and 1800 respectively). The 0930 northbound from Victoria which returned from Great Yarmouth at 1440 was worked by National Express owned Travel West Midlands.

Monday 17 May 2021 (1332) – Today the Covid lockdown conditions were eased the coach services of National Express and Megabus were resumed on the routes from Norfolk to London. Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited 214 (BV19 XRA), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K360 new in June 2019, is seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 1140 National Express service 491 from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria). Service 491 featured three trips on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays with just one trip on the other three days. Ambassador Travel worked the 0730 and 1140 journeys southbound (returning from Victoria at 1300 and 1800 respectively). The 0930 northbound from Victoria which returned from Great Yarmouth at 1440 was worked by National Express owned Travel West Midlands.

Monday 17 May 2021 (1636) – Today the Covid lockdown conditions were eased the coach services of National Express and Megabus were resumed on the routes from Norfolk to London. West Midlands Travel (a National Express subsidiary) SH250 (BF68 LDL), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in October 2018, seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the1440 National Express service 491 from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria). The rear portion carried an tourism advert for Madrid, Spain. Service 491 featured three trips on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays with just one trip on the other three days. Ambassador Travel worked the 0730 and 1140 journeys southbound (returning from Victoria at 1300 and 1800 respectively). The 0930 northbound from Victoria which returned from Great Yarmouth at 1440 was worked by National Express owned Travel West Midlands.