AD ENVIRO 400 MMC ROAD TEST

Today something a little different, as aided by an Adult Day Trip ticket i experienced the AD Enviro MMC demonstrator YY64 GWX which is currently on loan to Ipswich Buses after two days on the 9/10 to Whitton/Castle Hill it has now been on the X5 to Ipswich Hospital for the last two days. When entering the bus you are overwhelmed by the sheer elegance of it all some of the highlights of the spec is that the flooring is made from plywood to make the cleaning more easier, the glazing uses the quick release glazing system which can be replaced by one person as well as a sealing system which prevents water coming through, the engine is a Cummins Six Cylinder turbo charged diesel engine to full Euro six standards. What i noticed throughout the journey was the excellent acceleration particularly up Grove Lane and it's easy ability when pulling away from stops, now i haven't been on the older Enviro 400 which by all reports suffers from rattling obviously AD have listened to the operators as all the poles are now integrated into the structure of the bus, now i often moan about seats particularly as i'm tall but the seats were amongst the most comfortable i have been on, also the legroom between seats was also good, if you can do experience because it's certainly worth it. Ipswich Buses MD Jeremy Cooper has stated that in the future they maybe interested in buying some as replacements for the older deckers, if my experience is anything to go by i would be urging the council to buy them, while perhaps not the most aesthetically design externally it's certainly catches the eye.

 The view from the top while the tables are useful for inter city services i wouldn't think most operators like Ipswich Buses would specify them, AD has an options list which include LED destinations and upper saloon tables.

BEESTONS RECALLED

https://www.flickr.com/photos/peagreenbus/5513508358/in/photolist

Two more flashbacks today this one is taken back in 1990 which shows an ex Dundee Daimler Fleetline/Alexander  PYJ 456L with Beeston's note the predominately brown livery which i can remember well from various school trips in the 1980's

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55355638@N05/10368125155/in/photolist

Back in 1974 Eastern Counties suffered from vehicle shortage and many local predominantly Norfolk Independents hired buses for operations in the Norwich area including this ex Barton's AEC Reliance with Willowbrook body, still carrying Barton fleet numbers but purchased from Safeguard of Guildford, we see her in the village of Homersfield on the 11B, the shortages lasted around one month and up to 30 buses/coaches were hired at one time.  

WEDNESDAY FLASHBACK

Time for a Wednesday flashback with 2 recently acquired slides, above we Ipswich Buses Atlantean 21 SDX 21R, as many or may not know this bus for the centenary of 1980 was painted in a brown and cream livery, this being the original livery colours this livery was then revamped without advertising the centenary then into a darker green base with lime green middle then this being branded lurid was changed for a darker green. This bus was then sold to Lincolnshire Road Car where it had yet another green based livery.

Seen here in the early part of the 1980's location unknown is the classic Eastern Counties Bristol RE RLE 874 YAH 874J my guess puts it in the Cambridgeshire area but the lack of a destination blind?

AD ENVIRO 400 MMC DEMO IN SERVICE AND FIRST GROUP'S FIRST NEW LOOK STREETDECK

First up an apology to my loyal followers for getting the identity of the AD Enviro 400 MMC wrong in actual fact it was the other one YY64 GWX still with Go North East logos and legal lettering, unfortunately it came into service too late for me to get a ride, however by a stroke of luck i was able to get some shots in, before it rushed off nearly 10 mins late on the 10 to Castle Hill and Whitton, included below is a side and rear on view. Below you can see the additional  posters that Ipswich Buses are using in their fares promotion.

FIRST'S NEW LOOK STREETDECKS

Photo Copyright Nathan Bentham.

Look what Norwich missed out there's something wrong with bus in my opinion, is it because i'm ugly! This is the first new look Wrightbus Streetdeck delivered to First Group and is heading to Bristol seen here on delivery.

IPSWICH BUSES RESPOND TO FIRST IPSWICH PROMOTION

First Ipswich's ticket sale promotion has already started a reaction by Ipswich Buses who have lowered there prices on the X1 to Greenwich and the X3 to John Lewis to £2 return, as can be seen above First Ipswich's promotion is slightly different with a £1 single saving 50p and a child single 70p save 30p,as Ipswich Buses promotion has been done in rather quick time you can just about see below the X1/X3 card put up on the front of  IB Dart/ALX 200 140 Y272 FJN advertising the cheaper fares until 16th August. Finally below is a picture copyright Leon Wells of the last two ex Lothian SPD Darts 134/35 SN53 AVG/K to return from refurbishment, my opinion from experiencing 136 a couple of weeks back on the 6 was that they are excellent buses, comfortable and rather smooth obviously they have obviously been looked after and certainly don't look there age.

EASTERN COUNTIES ROSEMARY TAKEOVER 1993/FIRST IPSWICH PROMOTION

James Long has brought something to my attention that i had completely forgotten about in 1993 that i missed on yesterday's blog, so i thought i would feature it today as a follow up, on May 31St 1993 Rosemary Coaches ceased trading with the fleet, contracts, services, private hire and goodwill passing to Eastern Counties including the fleet below, including the above VR 502 YHN 654M.

VR 501 GAG 49N  Bristol VR/ECW H43/31F Ex East Yorkshire 1989
VR 502 YHN 654M  Bristol VR/ECW H43/31F  Ex United 1990
DD 503 D/L CKC 302L Daimler Fleetline /MCW H43/32F Ex Crosville 1987
DD 504 THX 573S Leyland Fleetline/ Park Royal H44/27F Ex London Buses 1994
DD 505 OJD 195R Daimler Fleetline/ MCW  H45/32F Ex Derby 1990
DD 506 THX 531S Leyland Fleetline/ Park Royal H44/27F Ex London Buses 1992
DD 507 WWH 26L Daimler Fleetline/Park Royal H43/32F Ex Greater Manchester 1987
DD 508 CKC 312L Daimler Fleetline /MCW H43/32F Ex Crosville 1987

S521 6149 KP AEC Reliance/Plaxton Elite C53F Ex Shrub & Howard 1987
S522 VPH 31S AEC Reliance/Plaxton Supreme C53F  Ex London Country 1984
S523 6920 MX Leyland Leopard/Plaxton Elite C51F Ex Graham,Paisley 1990
S524 RYL 720R Bedford/Duple Dominant II C53F Ex Burton,Haverhill 1987
S525 EHE 234V Bedford/Duple Dominant II C53F Ex Maranair,Cliftonville
S526 JTY 926P Bedford/Plaxton Supreme C53F Ex Moore, Sleaford

Seen here alongside GRF 267V a Bedford/Duple Dominant is another taken over Rosemary coach a Leyland Leopard with Plaxton Elite body 6920 MX with the changed number of LP 523 within 3 years of take over the whole fleet had disappeared apart from 2 coaches remaining as trainers.

FIRST IPSWICH PROMOTION

 First Ipswich AD Enviro 44518 YX09 ACZ.

First Ipswich start a new promotion tomorrow with fares reduced on routes in Ipswich on the 53 to Pinewood and the 60/61A Gainsbborough/Greenwich routes £1 Adult and 70p Child for single fares.

FLASHBACK EASTERN COUNTIES ALLOCATION SHEET 1993

Seen here during the early part of the 1990's is Bristol VR 270 RAH 270W which is seen it was in the second deregulated livery of Cream with red and orange stripes.

As Mr Bessey is travelling back to 1993 on his 1990's show this Thursday i thought i would travel back in my Tardis to the time when tracksuits seemed popular and yuppies were the thing you aspired to be queue the filofaxes and brilliantly parodied by David Jason in Only Fools and Horses in the wine bar fall!  By this time Leyland Nationals the first ones at least were on there way out some became re bodied as National Greenways and the Mercedes Benz Minibuses were gaining in numbers. The fleet allocation is the only one i could find of this year, so enjoy.

Seen in Norwich again the cream based livery is OC 5 F105 AVG an Northern Counties Bodied Leyland Olympian on the 794 to Peterborough now of course the X1.

Thought i would include this photo as it also squeezes in one of Chris Speed's favourite bus the AEC Swift, but the main focus is Yarmouth's allocated Leyland National 2 UVF 625X on the 604 to Lowestoft.

IPSWICH BUSES TAKE AN ENVIRO 400 MMC DEMONSTRATOR ON LOAN/ MORE ON FIRST IPSWICH CHANGES

https://www.flickr.com/photos/78232101@N08/16447945964/in/photolist Copyright Yorkshire Bus and Coach Photos

Yet another exclusive for you today and many thanks to Jeremy Cooper MD at Ipswich Buses for confirming this that the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC Demonstrator YX64 VOO that had recently been on loan at First South Yorkshire Rotherham Depot as well as in the past, Cardiff, Mc Gills and Arriva Yorkshire and seen above whilst at East Yorkshire will be on loan from next week, routes on which it will appear on their website next week so you know what route it will be on. Chris Speed has been in touch again with more on the important changes at the end of August so i have repeated what he has added on Wednesday's Blog comments and added here at the end.
Please can you start to share the service changes that start from 30/08/15. 

The Woodbridge/Aldeburgh routes will see almost all of the peak time journeys into and out of Ipswich remain as they are currently. The 64's maintain their current route but 65's are altered to run Aldeburgh, Leiston, Knodishall, Snape then as normal route (this is the same as the old Anglian 165).

Aldeburgh and Leiston therefore have an hourly frequency. From Melton into Ipswich the 64's & 65's combine with the new 63's to give a half hourly frequency. The withdrawn 68's journeys are replaced by some diverted 63's. Other places such as Rendlesham & Saxmundham are reduced to 2 hourly off peak.

All services have had changes made to help improve punctuality. 

FIRST IPSWICH AND A TALK WITH CHRIS SPEED

First Ipswich Volvo B7TL /ALX 400 32656 AU05 MVA seen back in March on layover in Ipswich OCM.

Once again it was my pleasure to meet First Ipswich's General Manager Chris Speed and talk to him about what's happening here at Ipswich, while this report is not as detailed as yesterday i can give some indication to what's happening over the next month in terms of changes. First up is the news that the Felixstowe routes will be increased to six buses an hour and that an non stop X7 will finally get the go ahead know i have known this was on the cards for some time now and kept quiet about, so it's nice to finally report it, on the debit side the 64/65 through to Saxmundham off peak will now be every 2 hourly instead of the present hourly service this is due to a poor passenger level, Woodbridge however will still see an every hour service. Town services will of course be implemented by the newly won 59 Rushmere circular and the 70/A to Woodbridge renumbered from 30 and the 72, Chris is looking at the smaller Enviro 200 from within First Group companies to hopefully take up these services, it's also of note that the 68 service to Kesgrave has also been cancelled, there are also some exciting initiatives taking place which i can't reveal yet. One other piece of good news for First Ipswich is that within First Group Ipswich depot has been nominated in their own awards for best depot as well as a nomination for one of their new apprentices. In other news i can now confirm that the sale of ex First Ipswich Scania 65588 to the Ipswich Transport Museum will now not take place, however this is not the end of the story yet and in the coming months i may be able to reveal more. Once again thanks to Chris and also Steve Fountain and Paulo who i haven't seen for a long time for their time.

First Ipswich Volvo B7RLE 66850 MX05 CHD back in January on the 60.

EXCLUSIVE:MEETING WITH IPSWICH BUSES MD JEREMY COOPER

 Seen here earlier this year in April is Ipswich Buses AD Enviro 200 82 YX63 LGF seen here in Dog's Head Street.

Yesterday evening i had a nice chat of just under an hour with the new Ipswich Buses MD Jeremy Cooper who has moved from Stagecoach East Kent at the end of May to take over from Malcolm Robson, Jeremy sees this as interesting challenge coming to Ipswich, so it was interesting to learn his perspectives on the industry and of course what his future plans are for Ipswich Buses.
One of the first things i learnt contrary to all the speculation going around at present that the three Mercedes-Benz Citario's are still on track for delivery in September, they will not be going on the X5 as previously stated and will be going on an increased 9/10 Whitton/Castle Hill service, there are other key changes to services and since i have spoken to him he has kindly sent me a copy of the changes which i will put at the end of the post, one important change is that the 7 Thorrington Park and the 11 to Heath Road Hospital will now be renumbered 15A and 6A respectively so the whole route uses one number throughout instead of the current situation of for example the 6 showing 11 Central Ipswich when it's obviously on the 6 route. Several routes particularly the Nacton Road corridor will see an increase in frequency on the X1/3 routes, please note that the X1 HAS not been cancelled, the 13 to Pinebrook Tesco will increase back to every 10 mins and the 4 will revert back to it's original terminus at Bixley Broadland Way terminus with certain peak journeys extending to Martlesham Anson Way, Ipswich Railway Station at peak times, with 2 lunchtime 4's also going to Martlesham.
I can also confirm that three Dennis Trident/Plaxton President Double Deckers are due from Lothian and are registered SN51 AXF/O/P, and at the current time no more are due in the future the likelihood will be that next year any new buses will be Midi Buses. Buses to be withdrawn will be the unique Optare Spectra 50 and the solo East Lancs Trident 10. Consideration is also being sought on refurbishing the Double Decker fleet and the Scania Omnicities. The 3 Dart's that have been refurbished 94/96/98 WILL be the only one's done and not the 4 originally stated, what he is hopeful of is that the 2 remaining ex Lothian Dart's will return in the coming week with two of the older X Reg Darts being withdrawn. I would like to thank Jeremy for being so kind in giving up an hour of his time yesterday evening it was much appreciated.

Ipswich Buses

More buses – more often from Thursday 3^rd September

We are pleased to announce our autumn timetable leaflets. We changed several routes in May 2015 and added extra time to some journeys so that they operated punctually despite Ipswich’s growing traffic problems. We’ve had a lot of comments about the new routes and timetables and we’ve tried to provide additional facilities for as many people as possible.

X1 and X3 – Buses every 15 minutes during peak times between the Rail Station and Ransome’s Europark to make it easier to get to work by bus. Buses along Nacton Road into Ipswich Central will run up to every 8 minutes with a better choice of arrivals for work in town. Buses from Ipswich Central to Gainsborough will run via Landseer Road before 0900 and will be numbered X2. We are using an extra bus in the afternoon peak period to help us try and stay on time despite the roadworks.

4 – Additional early morning journey to the rail station from Bixley. We started the extension to Martlesham Heath a year ago and unfortunately very few people are using it. We’ve done some surveys and a number of journeys were completely empty. So we will still run some peak hour and lunch time journeys through to Martlesham, but most journeys will terminate at Bixley, where we will return to Broadland Way Shops as the terminus. Those journeys still serving Martlesham will serve Anson Road and not the stop by Next in Beardmore Park.

X5 – Minor changes to the timetable in the rush hour and on Sundays to improve punctuality. Evening and Sunday buses are re-timed to serve the Hospital at quarter to and quarter past the hour for workers and visitors with appointments on the hour and half hour.

6/6A – We are changing the number of route 11 to 6A – but we aren’t changing the route. The new times on route 6 have not been very successful with regular delays to the buses, and we are sorry this has inconvenienced you. We are therefore going to use an extra bus on these routes so that the buses are able to keep to time. We have also increased the time allowed through the major roadworks at Ransome’s.

If you live in Rushmere it is now possible to catch the X5 and change to the 6 at the Hospital on evenings and Sundays. Please note the Sunday times on the 6A will be 10 minutes earlier on Sunday daytimes.

7 – see route 15A below

8 – Improved to run every 10 minutes during shopping hours on Mondays to Saturdays and every 20 minutes on Sunday daytimes! New earlier journey introduced for commuters with a connection to the station.

9/10 – Improved to run up to every 8 minutes on Mondays to Saturdays and every 20 minutes Sunday daytimes! Evening buses will run 10 minutes later than at present. New earlier journey introduced for commuters with a connection to the station. New buses coming soon too…

11 – see route 6A above.

12 – no changes

13 – Improved to run every 10 minutes during shopping hours on Mondays to Saturdays and every 20 minutes on Sunday daytimes!

14 – no changes

15/15A – We are changing the number of route 7 to 15A – but we aren’t changing the route! We changed the times of these buses in May to ensure that they ran more punctually, but some of you didn’t like the longer gaps between buses. We’ve come up with a new timetable that includes more journeys and fewer gaps.

SUMMERTIME COLOURED VR's

While the sunshine is out time to enjoy once again four colourful Bristol VR's, first one up is Cambus ex Eastern Counties Bristol VR 296 VEX 296X taken between late 1984 and 1986 in an lovely yellow all over advert for CAMGLAZE windows.

Stepping forward a little bit and we see series one flat fronted Bristol VR OT 353 NCK 980J with very large Eastern Counties fleetnames on the upper windscreen  advertising the joys of Pleasurewood Hills during the 1990's.

We head west again to Peterborough and you could say this was colourful if you like though the grey or silver advert for The Computer Centre does Cambus Bristol VR KVF 246V no favours.

Heading back up to Norwich this time we see Eastern Counties Bristol VR 297 VEX 297X in the mid 1990's advertising the Anglia Square shopping.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES MD TO LEAVE

Seen back in late December last year is First Ipswich Volvo B7RLE 69423 AU58 FKK.

It has been announced in Coach and Bus Weekly that First Eastern Counties Managing Director David Squire is leaving, he joined Eastern Counties from Network Warrington in November 2013, we must thank David for what he has done in this region particularly for the nomination in the Route One awards, First at one time in this region were particularly know as a Joke with their poor standards of buses and under his and Chris Speed's new direction the company has improved their reputation, particularly what's been pleasing is the nod towards their heritage with three buses painted into different liveries and not forgetting the new Deep Clean programme which was initially implemented at Ipswich and has driven up the standard of their buses both inside and outside.

Volvo B7TL 32479 AU53 HJV when freshly repainted at the end of August last year.

WHEN IN LONDON....

No doubt my friend Steve W has a tale or two about driving these two, above we see the about to be preserved Ipswich Atlantean 85 WPV 85L now i think i know who is going to be preserving this but i will not reveal it until i have it fully confirmed, the story goes that back in 1988 that largely the batch of 83-88 and 94/98 were no longer needed by Ipswich Buses, hence the loan out of these and some of  1-5 and 7 among others were also loaned out of a period lasting 3 years, 85 returned to service along with others during 1989 before going back on loan to Boroline Maidstone, below is sister 84 WPV 84L ironically showing an Ipswich blind, if anyone has knowledge of the later sister buses in London i would love to know. The routes involved at the time i believe were the 188 and the 482.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16313630@N07/5978848313/in/photolist

IPSWICH ATLANTEAN 85 IS IT PRESERVED/THURSDAY FLASHBACK

Just a quick blog, well really a question quite a while back a photo appeared on Facebook i believe of ex Ipswich Buses Atlantean 85 WPV 85L but of course now i can't remember where, it is believed to be intact and is parked up somewhere unknown, so if anyone can help me out here then i would be most grateful.

Now this is something which recently slipped into my hands and which remains my copyright, and was according to the slide taken in 1962 however this 1933 Leyland Titan TD1 was withdrawn in 1960 however with a bit of investigation there is a Bristol Lodekka from the first LFS batch with a NG registration which was introduced in the summer of 1960, so thus we have 1960, AH 224 was the last of the batch to be re bodied in 1950 with an new E.C.W H30/26R body, location Norwich Bus Station.

IPSWICH BUSES AND FIRST IPSWICH AUGUST/SEPTEMBER CHANGES

Ipswich Buses East Lancs Trident 10 PO51 UMK on the now defunct 1 to Ravenswood 2 months ago.

There are quite a few changes to both Ipswich Buses and First Eastern Counties when the schools re open on the 3rd September some of the new Ipswich Buses routes are in general school days only variations and some changes also for existing routes,while the First routes are changes to existing services which will start on August 30th,plus there recently won tendered routes, i have pasted the full details from the VOSA site below otherwise i would be here all night typing it up.

1. PF0000147/3 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Ipswich, Tower Ramparts given service number 15A/15 effective from 03-Sep-2015. To amend Timetable.
2. PF0000147/4 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Whitehouse given service number 8/8B effective from 03-Sep-2015. To amend Timetable.
3. PF0000147/5 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Ipswich, Tower Ramparts given service number 9/10 effective from 03-Sep-2015. To amend Timetable.
4. PF0000147/7 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Copdock Tesco given service number 13 effective from 03-Sep-2015. To amend Timetable.
5. PF0000147/77 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Ipswich Hospital given service number X5 effective from 03-Sep-2015. To amend Timetable.
6. PF0000147/78 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Ravenswood given service number X3 effective from 03-Sep-2015. To amend Route, Start & Finish Point, Stopping Places and Timetable.
7. PF0000147/79 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich Station Forecourt and Martlesham Heath, Tesco's given service number 4 effective from 03-Sep-2015. To amend Route and Timetable.
8. PF0000147/87 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Ipswich, Holbrook Road given service number X1 effective from 03-Sep-2015.
9. PF0000147/91 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Tower Ramparts Bus Station given service number 6/6A effective from 03-Sep-2015. To amend Timetable.
10. PF0000147/92 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Registration Accepted
    • Starting Point: St Albans School, Ipswich
    • Finish Point: Tower Ramparts (11a)Norwich Rd (11B)
    • Via: Woodbridge Rd, Valley Rd
    • Service Number: 11A
    • Service Type: School or Works
    • Effective Date: 03-SEP-2015
    • Other Details: Monday to Friday school days only

    11. PF0000147/93 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
        • Registration Accepted
        • Starting Point: Norwich Rd, Ipswich
        • Finish Point: Suffolk One, Ipswich
        • Via: Meredith Rd, Ulster Ave, Sproughton Village
        • Service Number: 18A
        • Service Type: School or Works
        • Effective Date: 03-SEP-2015
        • Other Details: Monday to Friday School days only
    12. PF0000323/387 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
        • Registration Accepted
        • Starting Point: Old Cattle Market, Ipswich
        • Finish Point: Old Cattle Market, Ipswich
        • Via: Bealings, Bucklesham
        • Service Number: 72
        • Service Type: Normal Stopping/Circular
        • Effective Date: 30-AUG-2015
        • Other Details: Monday to Friday
    13. PF0000323/388 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
        • Registration Accepted
        • Starting Point: Old Cattle Market, Ipswich
        • Finish Point: Woodridge, Turban Centre
        • Via: Grundsburgh
        • Service Number: 70
        • Service Type: Normal Stopping
        • Effective Date: 30-AUG-2015
        • Other Details: Monday to Saurday
    14. PF0000323/389 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
        • Registration Accepted
        • Starting Point: Turban Centre, Woodbridge
        • Finish Point: Farlingaye School, Woodbridge
        • Via: Beakings, Kesgrave
        • Service Number: 972
        • Service Type: Normal Stopping
        • Effective Date: 30-AUG-2015
        • Other Details: Monday to Friday School days only
        • PF0001842/32 - CARTERS COACH SERVICES LTD, ORWELL VIEW, 40 THE STRAND, WHERSTEAD, IPSWICH, IP2 8NL
          • Registration Accepted
          • Starting Point: East Bergholt
          • Finish Point: Tattingstone
          • Via: Bantham
          • Service Number: 192
          • Service Type: Normal Stopping
          • Effective Date: 03-SEP-2015
          • Other Details: Monday to Friday school days only
          • PF0000323/17 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between Felixstowe and Ipswich given service number 75/76/77/78 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
          • PF0000323/55 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich and Martlesham given service number 66 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Timetable.
          • PF0000323/169 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between IPSWICH - RAIL STATION and ALDEBURGH - FORT GREEN given service number 64/X64 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
          • PF0000323/212 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between IPSWICH OLD CATTLE MARKET and STOWMARKET, CHILTON HALL given service number 88/88A/89 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Timetable.
          • PF0000323/220 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between IPSWICH RAIL STATION and ALDEBURGH FORT GREEN given service number 65 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
          • PF0000323/221 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between LOWESTOFT and MARTHAM given service number 1/1A/1B effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Timetable.
          • PF0000323/265 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between Carlton Colville and Gorleston, East Norfolk sixth form college given service number 882 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Timetable.
          • PF0000323/300 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich Railway Station Forecourt and Martlesham Heath given service number 67 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Timetable.
          • PF0000323/331 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between North Cove and Gorleston, East Norfolk 6th Form College given service number 882 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Timetable.
          • PF0000323/354 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
            • Variation Accepted: Operating between Aldeburgh and Saxmundham given service number 64A/964 effective from 30-Aug-2015. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.
            • PF0000323/356 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
              • Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Old Cattle Market Bus Station and Kesgrave, Bell Lane given service number 68 effective from 30-Aug-2015.
            • PF0000323/363 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
              • Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Old Cattle Market, Ipswich and Turban Centre, Woodbridge given service number 65B effective from 29-Aug-2015.
            • PF0000323/386 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, DAVEY HOUSE, 7B CASTLE MEADOW, NORWICH, NR1 3DE
              • Registration Accepted
              • Starting Point: Ipswich Tower Ramparts
              • Finish Point: Ipswich Tower Ramparts
              • Via: Rushmere
              • Service Number: 59
              • Service Type: Normal Stopping/Circular
              • Effective Date: 30-AUG-2015
              • Other Details: Monday to Saturday

 Could this be a candidate for First Ipswich's newly won tendered routes the ADL Enviro 200 but the smaller version of, here we see 44516 YX09 ACZ on it's usual home the 53.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES NOMINATED IN ROUTE ONE'S AWARDS

First Ipswich Volvo B7TL/ALX 400 32655 AU05 MUY seen last week on the 66 to Martlesham.

Well once again I'm defying the odds by doing this blog, i thought i was going to slow down but then a good story comes my way and i can't resist. The Route One awards take place every year this year in Manchester on the 30th September and First Eastern Counties get there first ever nomination i believe for Large operator of the year for over 150 buses, also nominated in this category are fellow group company First Glasgow, Arriva Cymru, National Express West Midlands, Reading Buses and Staegoach South West. Also congratulations are in order for Galloway in the Medium Coach Operator (16 to 50 coaches).

Galloway 3860 PP an DAF SB3000/Plaxton Premiere seen last month on a school contract in Crown Street Lay-by.

PRESERVATION PROSPECT:EASTERN COUNTIES BRISTOL L LL 74 CVF 874

I said i wouldn't post but yesterday i was an conductor on the ITM's What's In Store event now hidden up in Whitehouse, Quantum Business Park are several gems and when i get round to it i will feature them all, firstly the picture isn't that great as it was taken on my I Phone, but gives you an indication of what is needed to restore a bus to it's former glory. Now this particular Bristol L5G LL74 CVF 874 had a charmed life and truly is a magnificent survivor and a typical bus of the Tilling empire during the Second World War and then into the 1950's, they first appeared in 1938 as L4G before becoming L5G  in 1939 with five speed transmission, Eastern Counties were also unusual for having Gardner 4LW engines for economy making them rather slow. During the Second World War they had there standard seating arrangement of 35 seats converted to perimeter seating of 31 being converted back after the war had ended, LL74 was renumbered after the War becoming LL 574 and finally withdrawn in 1957. After being withdrawn it was packed off to Ben Jordan at Coltishall in Norfolk, then purchased by the Dell Garage in Norwich and becoming a store shed by 1964 in 1974 this was bought by the Ipswich Transport Society and thence to it's current home in 1980.

Here you can see just what the Bristol L looked like this particular example survived being withdrawn by Eastern Counties and passed to Lincolnshire Road Car in 11/1954 and survived exactly 3 years  ans then subsequently scrapped in Wakefield by Comberhill Motors.

ITM WHAT'S IN STORE

ITM'S Eastern Counties Bristol MW LS 829 APW 829B.

From now on in until the end of the summer, i am cutting down on the number of blogs i am doing, partly for my own self and partly because it's getting harder to find any worthy news of late, the plan is now to do only 2 a week, one on a Saturday and one on Wednesday, finding news on a daily basis has become harder since the First repaints last year, not only that it's had a significant effect on my health leaving little time for other things. Tomorrow is the Ipswich Transport Museum What's in Store day from 11am until 4 pm. I have copied the press release from the ITM to give you an idea on what you can see
Museum Press Releases
Posted: 9th July 2015

LOTS IN STORE FOR MUSEUM EVENT Sunday 12th July 2015.

Ipswich Transport Museum's second 'What's in Store?' day takes place on Sunday 12th July. The special event allows visitors to see items that are not normally on public display, including future restoration projects and current projects.

A special free bus service will operate between the museum's Priory Heath exhibition hall and the museum's off-site store building in the north west of the town. The store contains over a dozen rare vehicles, including three priceless pre-war Eastern Counties buses, awaiting their turn in the restoration queue. New to the collection within the store building and now mounted on an original Tilling Stevens chassis, is the body of a 1920s Eastern Counties Roadcar bus, built by Ransomes Sims and Jeffries in Ipswich. An ex-Wyards Removals Bedford lorry will also be on display outside.

Museum Chairman Mark Smith explained "This is a unique event to show people what we get up to when the museum in closed, and to show a lot of our exhibits in the often quite poor condition that we restore them from. Cleaning, restoration, building, repairs, maintenance - they're all jobs undertaken by our volunteers. We thought it would be nice to showcase some of the work we do, and some of the rarely seen objects in our collection".

In addition, the museum's exhibition hall will be open as usual, as will the Sunbeam tea room and gift shop. 

Refreshments will also be available at the museum's store building.

BEESTONS OPTARE DEMONSTRATOR AND ANOTHER FIRST DEPOT TO CLOSE

Caught this Optare Solo SR YJ64 DWD which is currently been used by Beestons today on the 30 to Woodbridge, even with the sun right in my eyes it wasn't hard to miss! Only one other piece of news to impart today was that Stagecoach Devon have acquired First Devon And Cornwall's Plymouth depot which many may think of a surprise, however the majority of the fleet consists of Non DDA single and Double Deckers such as V/W reg Volvo B6BLE'S, S reg Darts and T-V reg Trident's.

Yet another different Ipswich Buses ALX 200 Dart has appeared on the 98 Shotley run this time it's 141 Y273 FJN.

GREAT YARMOUTH FINALLY GETS IT'S OWN HERITAGE BUS

Copyright Danny Beales

First Great Yarmouth finally have their own heritage bus in  Volvo B7TL/ALX 400 32059 W219 XBD painted in the final version of the Great Yarmouth Transport livery used by the operator until the take over by First Group back in 1996, behind you can see Mr Beales and Mr Speed's pet in AEC Swift 85 WEX 685M, below you can see the inspiration for the livery on the classic Bristol VR/ECW 35 RVF 35R in September 1988 and if you are old enough some of you may remember the original livery on Daimler Fleetline 53 HEX 253 during the 1970's and finally the First Blue Bus livery on Dennis Javelin 513 H613 RAH.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/98464140@N06/10060345856/in/photolist Copyright CWG 43

https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmightycat/5874792978/in/photolist

Both Above pictures copyright John Law.

WEDNESDAY IPSWICH BUSES FLASHBACK AND AUGUST SERVICE CHANGES

Perhaps not the sharpest image however we see one of the most finest buses to grace the Ipswich fleet during the 1980's, documentation shows that they were fairly troubled to begin with but eventually they were destined for long lives, probably one of the most powerful and comfortable buses to go on, by this time in 1988 the Bristol B21's had been renumbered to 144-47 to make way for the East Lancs Dennis Falcon's 114-17, here we see 144 B114 LDX.

I can remember the first time i saw one of these on Broke Hall in what would have been Autumn 1984, and too be honest whenever one appeared on the 4 i tended to disregard them opting for a Leyland Atlantean twenty minutes later many disliked the rather angular East Lancs body of the Dennis Falcon although later on with the G registered Batch 118-24 G118-24 VDX in 1989 did they get it right, the Dennis Falcon wasn't very popular around the time and along with Hartlepool and Leicester were they bought in any number, indeed in the mid 1990's many from this batch 100-05, YDX 100Y seen above and the Northern Counties batch 107-13 C107-13 SDX ended up firstly with First Northampton then First Leicester. 

AUGUST CHANGES

Below you can see the changes listed on the Suffolk On Board site for August.

14, 15, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 15C	Haverhill - Chedburgh - Bury St Edmunds	Stephensons of Essex	There are minor changes to the timetable. School journeys have slightly changed and service X15 has been withdrawn.	10.08.15
99,99A	Lowestoft - Kessingland - Lowestoft	First in Norfolk & Suffolk	Changes to the timetable and the route. Service 99A trips are remembered as Service 99. Sunday services are cancelled.	02.08.15
102, 122	Lowestoft - Oulton - Lowestoft	First in Norfolk & Suffolk	Changes to the timetable.	02.08.15
103, 123	Lowestoft - Carlton Colville	First in Norfolk & Suffolk	Service is due to cancel - Service 104 will replace.	02.08.15
104	Lowestoft - Pakefield - Lowestoft	First in Norfolk & Suffolk	This service will replace Service 103, 123.	02.08.15
106	Lowestoft - Outlon Broad - Burnt Hill - Lowestoft	First in Norfolk & Suffolk	Minor changes to the timetable.	02.08.15
111	Lowestoft - Carlton Colville	First in Norfolk & Suffolk	Changes to the timetable and the route.	02.08.15
X2	Lowestoft - Beccles - Loddon - Norwich	First in Norfolk & Suffolk	Minor changes to the timetable.	02.08.15

- See more at: http://www.suffolkonboard.com/buses/bus-service-changes/august-bus-services-changes/