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/