A CHAT WITH FIRST'S CHRIS SPEED

Volvo B7TL 32494 AU53 HKM at Tower Ramparts today.

This blog today is primarily about an chat today i had with Chris Speed who is First's Business manager for Eastern Counties, firstly he explained to me how he started out as a bus driver at Great Yarmouth, before taking an Business Management degree returning to First he become operations manager at Norwich where he successfully turned round the business before in recent months becoming Business manager splitting his week into three days at Ipswich and two at Great Yarmouth. Chris understands that Ipswich has been undervalued in the past and told me that future investment will include refurbishment for the current Volvo B7RLES and Volvo B7TLS and the disappearance of the remaining Scanias, resulting in an all Volvo depot. The depot will also be refurbished with the possibility of the depot being lowered to allow for higher deckers in the future, as many routes such as Felixstowe's and Stowmarket suffer from capacity issues. Three Training buses will also be repainted into heritage liveries including the Tilling red and cream with gold fleet names, Great Yarmouth blue and cream and Lowestoft brown and cream. He is obviously keen to see First succeed here and with this new investment programme this will in no doubt improve matters, what is very refreshing from talking to him is that he is very much focused on his drivers and passengers. I would like to thank Chris for his time and hospitality it was much appreciated.

IB Enviro 200 78 YX14 RWL  has now been repainted into the new livery and branding for the 111.