Norwich - 2 Dec 2022

Friday 2 December 2022 (1006) – Simonds of Botesdale BT63 UUP, seen in St. Stephen’s Street, Norwich when working the 0930 service 2 from Long Stratton to Norwich Railway Station. It is an MCV Evolution bodied Volvo B7RLE that had been new to Webberbus of Bridgwater in December 2013.

Friday 2 December 2022 (1053) – Simonds of Botesdale SLK 886 seen arriving at Norwich Castle Meadow, Norwich when working the 0940 service 2 from Roydon and Diss which terminates at Norwich Railway Station. It is a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R which I believe was new to Flights Hallmark of Birmingham in June 2011 registered FJ11 MLE.

Friday 2 December 2022 (1053) – Castle Meadow in Norwich. On the left is First Eastern Counties Buses 32100 (LT02 ZCJ), a Plaxton President bodied Volvo Volvo B7TL that was new to First Centrewest (VT1100) in April 2002 for Transport for London (TfL) contracted services. After a vehicle reaches the maximum age stipulated by TfL the larger groups then transfer vehicles to their subsidiaries in different parts of the country. In this case the bus is 20 years old. Passing through is Simonds of Botesdale SLK 886 working the 0940 service 2 from Roydon and Diss which terminates at Norwich Railway Station. It is a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R which I believe was new to Flights Hallmark of Birmingham in June 2011 registered FJ11 MLE. That was following Konectbus 612 (SN62 AVR), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D new in October 2012.

Friday 2 December 2022 (1001) – Buses in St. Stephen’s Street, Norwich. First Eastern Counties Buses 47509 (SN64 CRU), a Wright StreetLite DF that was new in November 2014, working Purple Line service 39 from Mile Cross to South Tuckswood (Hall Road). Following that is Simonds of Botesdale BT63 UUX working the 0955 service 2 from Norwich Railway Station to Long Stratton. It is an MCV Evolution bodied Volvo B7RLE that had been new to Webberbus of Bridgwater in December 2013.

Friday 2 December 2022 (1006) – First Eastern Counties Buses 33163 (LR02 LXZ) seen in St. Stephen’s Street, Norwich wearing branding for the Purple Line group of services (36,36A,37,37B,38 and 39). It is a Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident new to First Centrewest (TN1163) in June 2002 for Transport for London (TfL) contracted services. After a vehicle reaches the maximum age stipulated by TfL the larger groups then transfer vehicles to their subsidiaries in different parts of the country. In this case the bus is 20 years old and is apparently to be withdrawn from service in the not too distant future.

Friday 2 December 2022 (1105) – First Eastern Counties Buses 32201 (LT02 ZCU), a Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL new to First Centrewest (VTL1105) in April 2002, travelling down Agricultural Hall Plain in Norwich. The paintwork on the rear looks a little faded in places but I have read that these buses may be withdrawn from service in the not too distant future.