Excel : First Eastern Counties

Thursday 21 March 2024 (1004) – Arrival at Wisbech bus station on board Stagecoach East (Cambus) 10866 (YX67 VDA) which was working the 0930 service 46 from March. The Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 bodied Scania N250UD very clean inside and out although the front upper deck screen was slightly splattered. Stagecoach East Midlands 19195 (NK57 DVY), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 bodied Trident new to Busways in October 2007, was about to work a town circular. It carries the purple based livery initially employed on the Lincolnshire County Council supported InterConnect network. I believe the Wisbech area services are worked by vehicles based at Long Sutton outstation. Two First Eastern Counties Buses Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 City bodied Scania N250UDs are working in opposite directions on the Norwich-Peterborough ‘excel’ service. Left of the pair is 36911 (YN69 XZR) working eastbound to Norwich and right of the pair is 36903 (YN69 XZG) working westbound to Peterborough. I parked the car in Guyhirn and travelled on this bus to Wisbech. The First Eastern Counties ‘excel’ service covers the journey between Guyhirn and Wisbech in 14 minutes travelling along the A47 (South Brink) however, I fancied travelling on the more local service 46 which takes about 22 minutes travelling via the North Brink and Wisbech St. Mary.

Thursday 21 March 2024 (1007) – Wisbech bus station Stagecoach East (Cambus) 10866 (YX67 VDA), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 bodied Scania N250UD new in December 2019, had worked the 0930 service 46 from March going on to work the 1015 return journey. I had travelled on this bus from Guyhirn. The First Eastern Counties ‘excel’ service covers the journey between Guyhirn and Wisbech in 14 minutes travelling along the A47 (South Brink) however, I fancied travelling on the more local service 46 which takes about 22 minutes travelling via the North Brink and Wisbech St. Mary. The driver (left), possibly a new recruit, appeared to be receiving route tuition from her colleague in the hi-vis jacket. In the background is First Eastern Counties Buses 36903 (YN69 XZG), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 City bodied Scania N250UD, working an eastbound ‘excel’ service to Peterborough.

Thursday 21 March 2024 (0926) – First Eastern Counties Buses 36919 (YN69 XZZ), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 City bodied Scania N250UD new in December 2019, seen on the A47 at Guyhirn working the 0840 ‘excel’ service C from Peterborough to Norwich. It left Peterborough at 0843 but was now running about 15 minutes late. It was on the incline approaching the bridge over the River Nene.

Thursday 21 March 2024 (0926) – First Eastern Counties Buses 36919 (YN69 XZZ), seen crossing the bridge over the River Nene on the A47 at Guyhirn It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 City bodied Scania N250UD new in December 2019, working the 0840 ‘excel’ service C from Peterborough to Norwich. It left Peterborough at 0843 but was now running about 15 minutes late.

Thursday 21 March 2024 (0927) – First Eastern Counties Buses 36902 (YN69 XZE), seen crossing the bridge over the River Nene on the A47 at Guyhirn It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 City bodied Scania N250UD new in December 2019, working the 0630 ‘excel’ service A from Norwich to Peterborough. Due here at 0924 – good timing. I