Rare Spots : April 2016

April has been quite a busy month with a handful of different rare sightings. This included myself  traveling to Kings Lynn, Norwich, Bury Saint Edmunds and Southworld.

Bedford SB Duple Super Vega (WLO 685)

My first rare spot of this month starts with a Bedford SB Duple Super Vega which was photographed on Friday 15th April 2016, traveling along Castle Meadow in Norwich. The bus can be hired out for special occasions for example weddings/school proms etc. I was informed that it was first registered in March 1959 working for Curries Coaches of Bexleyheath and then moving across to Carters before spending 21 years at Kenzies Coaches. At the moment it has been leased to Spratts Coaches since 2011.

Staying with Norwich, on the same day at Norwich Bus Station was a Sanders Coach Dennis Javelin Plaxton (1010) on the route 45 to Holt. The bus that usually operates on this route is a Scania Ommicity. A lot of the passengers were surprised with this as, the coach does not have an low floor and passengers had buggies etc. 

Dennis Javelin Plaxton 1010 (YO02 PCT)

Since the launch of  Charcoal Line in April , it has been reported that  both of the Alexander Dennis Enviro's200 44517 and 44518 have been in Great Yarmouth for an MOT. Covering these have been  a selection of Wright StreetLite Max.

Wright StreetLite Max 63324 (SK65 PXE)

Moving over to Kings Lynn, I noticed that Norfolk Green has 4 different liveries in place and that branded buses for specific route are on different services within the town centre. This was highlighted with a branded X29 Optare X1200 Tempo 113 operating the service 46 to March on Monday 4th April 2016.

Optare X1200 Tempo 113 (YJ55 BKO)

My last two rare sports for this month are with Ipswich Buses, starting with the Dennis Trident ALX400 15 operating the service 8, which is normally serviced with single deckers rather then double deckers. On Friday 22nd April I traveled to Bury Saint Edmunds to watch Kate Jackson & The Wrong Moves at a music event, walking back to the car in front of me was the Ipswich Buses Optate Excel 170 training vehicle parked up next to the war memorial in Bury Saint Edmunds. Please LIKE our Facebook Page.   

Dennis Trident ALX400 15 (LG02 FDK)

Optare Excel 170 (YG52 DGO)

Ipswich Buses: Brand New Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s

This week I have retuned back to Ipswich, to photograph the four brand new Ipswich Buses, Alexander Dennis Enviro200s (101 to 104) on the streets of Ipswich. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 102 (SN16 OGH) and 104 (SN16 OGK)

The Alexander Dennis Enviro200 previously know as the TransBus Enviro 200 is a bus that is manufactured by TransBus International and later Alexander Dennis since 2003. The Enviro200 was originally designed to be replacement for the Dennis Dart SLF and the Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies. In 2014, a third generation version of the Enviro200 was launched, known as the Enviro200 MMC, replacing the original Enviro200 and Enviro300. Over 5,300 Enviro200s of all various types have been built since January 2016. While most have been for British operations, examples have been exported to Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Spain. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 101 (SN16 OGG)

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 102 (SN16 OGH)

The four brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro200s for Ipswich Buses feature an Ipswich Buses livery with an interior feature of leather seats. The Alexander Dennis Enviro200s have mostly been on services 6,8,12,13,15 and 202. Thank you to everybody for us achieving 10,000 views. Please LIKE our Facebook Page.   

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 103 (SN16 OGJ)

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 104 (SN16 OGK)

The classy Wright StreetDecks swings into First Norwich

Wright StreetDeck 35198 (SK16 GVX)

The Wright StreetDeck is a double-decker bus, which is  manufactured by Wrightbus in Ballymena Northern Ireland. The first demonstrators were serviced by Arriva Derby, Arriva London, First Great Manchester, First South Yorkshire, London Centre and Transdev in Harrogate. As of March 2016, approximately 150 Wright StreetDecks had entered service primarily First Group and Go-Ahead Group subsidiaries.

Wright StreetDeck 35199 (SK16 GVY)

Today saw the reviling of the nine new Wright StreetDecks for First Norwich (35193 to 35201), of which seven carried the Pink line livery and two with the Norwich Network livery. The photograph above is an exclusive picture I could not used until today, it was taken on the Thursday 7th April 2016 at First Norwich Roundtree Way.

Wright StreetDeck 35193 (SK16 GVR)

Wright StreetDeck 35194 (SK16 GVT)

The new Pink Line livery has been fitted to the buses in a stylish and vibrant way, it promotes information about the Pink Line service for example the prices/frequency of the service. In addition to this the word 'Norwich' vinyl is in  blue with  landmarks of the city in the letters and the word  'Network' is placed above the 'Norwich' vinyl in pink on both middle sides of the seven Pink Line livery Wright StreetDecks. The two remaining Wright StreetDecks are in Norwich Network livery with the words 'Norwich' and 'Network' in the same context but above the drivers window and the doors. This shows that First Norwich have designed a very smart bus for the Pink line service.  All nine Wright StreetDecks carry a Euro 6 engine that are economic for the city centre and the surrounding areas this has been proven by test results.

Wright StreetDeck 35197 (SK16 GVW)

Wright StreetDeck 35195 (SK16 GVU)

Wright StreetDeck 35200 (SK16 GVZ): Courtesy of Dan High 

Leading on from this, the nine Wright StreetDecks interior is pretty amazing, they are equipped with CCTV, leather seats, free Wi-Fi providing free internet access on the go through Norwich. Also another aspect of the interior is that there is dedicated space for wheelchairs and extra space is provided for pushchairs. 

Upstairs of the Wright StreetDeck 35194 (SK16 GVT)

Downstairs of the Wright StreetDeck 35198 (SK16 GVX)

In the next few days the Wright StreetDeck will be operating the Pink Line and number of different lines from Norwich City Centre. More photographs can be found at the Facebook page.

Wright StreetDeck 35195 (SK16 GVU) and Wright StreetDeck 35194 (SK16 GVT)

Pretty Pinks for First Norwich

The following is a copy of a press release from First's website which can be viewed here. 

On Tuesday 19 April, First Eastern Counties is introducing a further nine brand new buses with an investment of £1.8m onto its fleet.

The buses will be on show outside the Forum between 10;00 and 14;00 for people to come and view. In addition, we will have a team of staff present to answer any questions people have about our new buses and the benefits they will bring to the City. 

The buses are destined to run on our ‘NEW Pink Line’ service 11/12, serving Norwich and Norfolk Hospital, Sprowston and Wroxham Roys via Norwich City Centre and the rail station. 

With a journey time of only 35 minutes and with a 15 minute frequency throughout the main day, it provides customers with a direct, fast, reliable and great value alternative to taking the car.

The ‘NEW’ Pink line identity that has been fitted to the new buses is stylish, prominent, vibrant and promotes route and fares information relevant to the service. The new external design aims to remove and break down any barriers and uncertainty people may have on where the bus runs to and also to encourage and welcome new customers to give the bus a try. 

Our new buses come fitted with leather seats, CCTV and Wi-Fi providing customers with free internet access during their journey.  In addition to the dedicated space for wheelchair users, extra space is provided for pushchairs.

First Eastern Counties also revealed that all new vehicles will be fitted with Euro 6 engines, a strong commitment to improving air quality within the city. Test results show that running eight Euro 6 buses produces the same amount of certain exhaust emissions, including nitrogen Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM), as running one bus with a Euro 5 engine*.  The new vehicles will have a positive impact on air quality in the City and surrounding areas. 

Steve Wickers, Business Director for First Eastern Counties said: “Our further £1.8m investment in nine brand new double deck vehicles into the city is great news for our customers. We introduced 11 brand new single deck buses back in October 2015 at a value of £1.9m, this overall investment clearly shows our commitment and dedication to provide ever better bus services in our area and encourage more people to travel by bus.  These new vehicles will be among the best and most eco-friendly in the city.

“Passengers can enjoy a modern design with a specific identity, more comfortable journeys and keep connected on the move with our free Wi-Fi, while we support the efforts of our local authority partners to improve air quality for all.”
The new buses, which will be manufactured by Wrightbus based in County Antrim, Northern Island, are all Department for Transport ‘low carbon certified’, making them amongst the most fuel efficient buses on the market.  

*Tests by First Bus manufacturing partners Wrightbus compared emissions from buses with a Euro 6 engine against buses with a Euro 5 engine.  The results showed:
·    a 99% reduction in Carbon Monoxide emissions
·    an 87% reduction in Oxides of Nitrogen emissions
·    an 87% reduction in Particulate Matter emissions.

Depot Visit: BorderBus

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 104 (BB62BUS)

Today was a wet day, so my aim was to photograph some of the fleet double/single deckers that BorderBus operate. Borderbus is a local independent company that is situated on the Moor Business Park in Beccles. The latest additional to the fleet is an Alexander Dennis Enviro200 109 which recently has had leather seats fitted to it. In addition to this they operate seven (201-207) Volvo B7TL Plaxton Presidents on school contracts for Sir John Leman High School.

The yard of BorderBus at Moor Business Park

Interior of the Alexander Dennis Enviro 108 (BB11BUS) similar to Alexander Dennis Enviro 109 (BB60BUS)

I contacted BorderBus to see if they would allow me to view their depot, I travelled to Beecles on a BorderBus Alexander Dennis Enviro200 104. It is the first time I have been around this bus depot, so I was feeling excited. I turned the conner and saw six of their double deckers present and also the Alexander Dennis Enviro200 105 was parked up next to them. I found reception where I was greeted with MD Andrew Pursey, who notably was also MD at AngliaBus before it was taken over by Go-Ahead. He introduced me to his team and I was handed over to one of the mechanics, that gave me the heads up that the Alexander Enviro200 101 was coming back from the garage across the road. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 105 (BB07BUS)

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 101 (BB14BUS)

This is their newsiest double decker Volvo B7TL Plaxton President 207 which was acquired last year. More recently this vechile is the first to be fitted with an removable ramp which is kept on board should any children/ young person/adult needed to use if their are in a wheelchair. They also had to re-jig the seats downstairs to accommodate this, which has reduced the capacity from 33 to 31. All the rest of the Volvo B7TL Plaxton Presidents are going to have the same treatment by January 2017. 

Volvo B7TL Plaxton President 207 (LK51XGH)

A big thanks to the team at BoardBus for allowing me on their premises and being very welcoming. On the way home to Norwich I was luckily enough to board their only Alexander Enviro300 106. More photographs can be found at the Facebook Page. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro300 105 (KX54NKH)

Norwich Park and Ride service

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 632 (SN65 OAO)

Norwich Park and Ride first opened in the early 1990s at Norwich International Airport in Hellesdon, while the sixth site was opened in 2005 at Thickthorn. With the addition of the final site, Norwich Park and Ride service became the largest Park and Ride service in the United Kingdom, providing over 5000 permeant car park spaces. The scheme is very successful and over 3.3 million people use the Norwich Park and Ride service every year. 

Thickthorn Park and Ride 

This is one of newest sites which was opened in 2005. It is located near Thickthorn services in Hethersett. The site holds over 726 car parking spaces and is open Monday to Saturday between the hours of 6.30 to 20.00 hours and the last bus leaving the bus station in Norwich at 19.30, except from Thursday when it closes at 21.00 in order to accommodate for late shopping in Norwich City centre. On Saturday, the site is open between 06.50 and 19.00 hours, with the last bus leaving at 18.30. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 629 (SN65 OAJ)

Harford Park and Ride 

Harford Park and Ride service is located on Ipswich Road, Norwich which is accessed via an exit off the Harford Interchange where the A140 meets the A47. The site has 1088 car parking spaces, including electric vehicle charing points, cycle parking and recycle facilities. The site is open between the hours of 06.50 and 19.00 on Monday to Saturday with the last bus leaving Norwich Bus Station at 18.30. On Sunday a car boot sale is held due to no services in operation. In 2015 First Norwich began to operate a service 600 which travelled between the site and Norfolk County Hall on weekday, mornings and evening. This service was taken over by Konectbus when the new park and ride contract began in September 2015. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 635 (SN65 OAU)

Airpot Park and Ride

Airport Park and Ride is one of the oldest sites that opened in the early 1990s. It is located on the Buck Courtney Crescent, next to the entrance to Norwich International Airport. weekdays it is open between the hours of 6.30 to 20.00 hours however on Thursday it closes later for late night shopping at 2100.  On Saturday it opens from 06.50 to 19.00 hours and closes on Sunday. The site also has the facilities for recycling and electric vehicle charging. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 623 (SN65 OAB)

Postwick Park and Ride

Postwick Park and Ride site is located next to the Yarmouth Road junction of the A47. It is open  Monday to Saturday between the hours of 6.50 to 19.00 only and closed on a Sunday. It has over 552 car park spaces and has recycling facilities available. It is proposed to add 500 car park places to this site as part of the Postwick Hub development which is associated with the Norwich Northern Distributor Road development in which the completion date is 2017. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 623 (SN65 OAB)

Costessey Park and Ride

Costessey Park and Ride is located next to the Royal Norfolk Showground in Costessey, Norwich, It has over 1,100 spaces and is open between Monday to Friday between the hours of 06.50 to 1900 and is closed all weekend. There are recycling facilities available. From September 2015, it became the only site which has no service to Norwich city centre at all. The service instead runs from the site to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and The University of East Anglia only.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro G 800 (BD57 WDA)

Sprowston Park and Ride

This site is located on Wroxham Road near bluebell lane. It is open between the hours of 06.50 to 19.00 hours Monday to Friday, Saturday it is open until 20.00 hours only and closed on Sunday. This site has an total of 792 car park spaces available. As with all the other sites it has recycling facilities available. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 638 (SN65 OAX)

Between 2005 and 2010 the Norwich Park and Rides sites were managed by three different companies:

First Eastern Countries operated the Harford Park and Ride with blue livery Alexander ALX400 double deckers and Sprowston with purple Wright Eclipse Urban (that can be found on First Ipwich and Essex) single deckers. 

Konectbus operated the Thickthorn Park and Ride with pink livery Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied double deckers and Costessey with green Optare Tempo single deckers. 

Wright Eclipse Gemini 501 (YJ05 PXB)

Norse operated the Airport Park and Ride with yellow Irisbus AgoraLine single deckers and Postwick with red Irisbus Agora Line single deckers. 

Irisbus AgoraLine 7134 (OY53 REU)

Interior of the Irisbus AgoraLine 7134 (OY53 REU)

From 2010 until September 2015, the Harford, Thickthorn and Costessey Park and Ride sites were operated by Konectbus and Sprowston, Airport and Postwick by Norse. Konectbus purchased a brand new fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro400s double deckers painted in a blue livery to operate Harford Park and Ride contract. Pink livery Wright Eclipse Gemini double deckers operate the Thicktorn service, while ex London General articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses run between the Costessey site, the University of East Anglia and the city centre.  

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 600 (SN10 CFD)

Re branded blue livery to Konectbus livery operating the 501 , Alexander Dennis Enviro400 603 (SN10 CFG) 

Norse operated a fleet of Dennis Trident Plaxton President bodied double deckers to operate all their services, with the Airport having a light blue livery and Postwick / Sprowston sites being merged, operating via city centre and Norfolk County Council. 

Dennis Trident Plaxton 7168 (PN03 UME)

On 7th September 2015, Konectbus commenced a contract to operate all six park and ride services for a five year period. A fleet of 18 brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro400s have been purchased with fleet numbers between 622 to 639 and are painted in a new green livery. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 635 (SN65 OAU)

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 635 (SN65 OAU)

Current routes :

501 - Thickthorn Park and Ride - City Centre - Airport Park and Ride 

502-  Harford Park and Ride - City Centre - Sprowston Park and Ride

503-  Postwick Park and Ride - City Centre- County Hall

510-  Costessey Park and Ride - Norwich and Norwich hospital 

511-  Costessey Park and Ride - University of East Anglia

512-  Harford Park and Ride - Norfolk County Council 

Alexander Dennis Enviro400 634 (SN65 OAS)

First Norwich: The Charcoal Line

Alexander Dennis, 44518 (YX09 ACZ)

On Monday 4th April 2016 I saw First's Norwich new Charcoal Line service that I think everybody knows about. The service 40 operates between St Stephen's Street in Norwich to Poringland at a repetitiveness of every thirty minutes throughout the day using two ex First Ipswich Alexander Dennis Enviro200s which are the 44517 and 44518. These are the first two buses to wear a brand new style of branding for First Norwich, which are in the process of being rolled out across the whole fleet, with the Pink Line StreetDecks in line next.  The difference between the old and new branding is the lack of greyscale between the 'Norwich' vinyl and with the landmarks of the city in the letters. The word 'Network' now appears above the white and the 'Norwich' vinyl which sits above the doors and between the front lights in the centre . This shows that First Norwich have designed a very smart and modern bus.

Alexander Dennis, 44518 (YX09 ACZ)

In addition to this the interior space of both buses are equipped with leather seats and free wifi which is available. First Norwich also place posters and adverts about the Charcoal Line stretching from back above passengers heads, with information about the other colour routes that operate from the City Centre and how much each ticket costs.

Interior space: Alexander Dennis, 44518 (YX09 ACZ)

Interior space: Alexander Dennis, 44517 (YX09 ACY)

In response to First Norwich's sudden presence in the Poringland area, Anglian have reinstated their ten-trip tickets between Poringland and Norwich City only. Also they have increased the amount of poster and adverts on their website and social media about their 87/88 and X88 through the Poringland area. More pictures will be added to the Facebook page.

Interior space: Alexander Dennis, 44517 (YX09 ACY)

Back of the Alexander Dennis, 44518 (YX09 ACZ)

Alexander Dennis, 44518 (YX09 ACZ)