Arrivals

This week, we have taken delivery to nine Optare Versa buses from Ensign Bus which we plan to use at our Norwich and Luton depots. Three of these have been delivered to our Norwich depot in a blue variant of fleet livery for the Eaton section of route 35, which is to be renumbered route 34. These are 3196-8 YJ57 XWG/K/V. They will be used to cover for repaints until the Rainbow Norwich network is launched.

The other six will be delivered to Luton in standard fleet livery and will be used on a new route starting in April. Due to this at least two of these will be entering service shortly at Aylesbury to cover bus shortages as they are short on single decker buses on some occasions. These will be 3194/5 YJ57 XWD/F.

A few weeks ago, we also brought Optare Versa YJ10 MGV off of Ensign Bus which will be giving fleet number 3199 and will permanently be allocated to our Aylesbury depot. It is currently away having its luggage racks removed and to have extra seats fitted as it was previously used on airport work.

Aylesbury Repaints

Today, Aylesbury-based ADL Enviro200 2138 SK07 HLU returned from repaint to the depot with sister 2139 SK07 HLV having left earlier today for the same treatment.

It is hoped that 2138 will return to public service tomorrow.

New Buses For Norwich

Currently, there is lots going on at our Norwich depot and we're not stopping yet as the depot have just taken delivery to five brand new Enviro400s for Sprowston Park & Ride services and two Park & Ride spares. These have been delivered with 15-plates and will not enter service until 1st March at the earliest. They are numbered 5435-39 and have carry registration plates AU15 LGE/H/K/O/P.

Once these enter service, Enviro400s 5659 SN58 CGU and 5660 SN58 CGV will move to Luton depot and Enviro400s 5693 AU14 DOA and 5694 AU14 DOD will move to Aylesbury depot.

These brand new Enviro400s are the last first generation examples that we will be taking delivery of will all other new Enviro400s being the second generation (MMC) examples.   

Norwich To Go Rainbow

After lots of consultations, we have taken the decision to colour coordinate our Norwich city services but not our out of town services. The colour coordinated routes will be known as 'Rainbow Norwich'. The following routes will become the following colours:

• Route 33 will become a blue coloured route
• Route 35 will become a pink coloured route
• Route 37, 38 and 39 will stay as purple coloured routes
• Route 41 will become a green coloured route
• Route 43 will become a orange coloured route  

However, route 35 may be split into two with the Eaton section of the route becoming an blue coloured route and the Thorpe End section of the route being a pink coloured route.

Repaints of the buses will begin shortly but we can announce that route 33 will gain brand new double decker buses - more info coming soon!

Norwich Park & Ride

Today, the Norwich Park & Ride contracts are renewed, however, there will be no changes to the Postwick and Sprowston services. We are waiting new buses to operate the Sprowston Park & Ride service to allow it to have a fully purple Peak Vehicle Requirement. The Enviro400s currently on the service will be transferred out of Norwich as will the two spare Park & Ride buses which are also being replaced.

Aylesbury Updates

ADL Enviro200s 2138 SK07 HLU and 2139 SK07 HLV are now transfers to the Aylesbury depot and are no longer on loan.

Norwich-based ADL Enviro200 2109 AU63 FLR is currently on loan for two weeks at Aylesbury depot to cover for the repaint of 2138 SK07 HLU and 2139 SK07 HLV. 2139 SK07 HLV is currently way.

ADL Enviro200 2119 YX09 HYW returned to service at Aylesbury during January after being taken out of use in September last year.