Christmas 2019

The sun is setting on the reign of the 2013 Scarborough built Enviro 400s on the XL route. 33803 which was the first of the fleet is seen at Walton Highway on Christmas Eve

Well where are the new buses they cried ? First are going to great lengths to keep them under wraps. At least one has paid a visit to King's Lynn depot and has the appropriate vinyls fitted, but the shutters have been down when these visits have occurred up to now. You can learn a little more about them here :
https://www.firstgroup.com/norfolk-suffolk/news-and-service-updates/excel-new-standard-travel-comfort-arriving-spring-2020

.... but that's not all, some of the features of the new fleet are a closely guarded secret and will be - well let's just say different !

A new timetable is planned for February with a non-public launch at the end of January.

In the meantime, I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2020.

33803 departs from King's Lynn working the 11.10 to Norwich on Saturday 21st December

December 6th 2019 ~ Update

As things stand, the first three new buses are undergoing commisioning locally, with buses expected to arrive at First from around 15th December. A launch at the East of England Showground is pencilled in for late January and then the new fleet should be all ready for a new timetable in February.

The existing fleet will be phased out of service as new buses arrive. Since the last report there have been occasional appearances by Geminis from the Norwich end when Enviros were not available. I hope to give a more detailed report on the last few months before Christmas, time permitting. 

33822 at Lowestoft on November 28th. Photo copyright Matthew Holland