'Scene' in Kings Lynn

A recent trip to Norfolk allowed me an hour or so in and around the bus station in Kings Lynn.

 

It was one of those cold wet dreary days when the wind comes straight from Siberia. Combine that with overnight rain and a high tide that saw parts of the town awash with mud and and it wasn’t difficult to see that whilst operators were doing their best to keep buses clean that mother nature was having a big say in the matter.

 

Kings Lynn bus station is roughly circular with stands around the outside with over laying buses being parked up in the middle.

 

‘Norfolk Green’ (NG) A much admired local operator in the county started up in 1996. Starting out with four buses and expanding to todays total of 70, becoming the dominant operator in Kings Lynn.

 

As I write (18th. December 2013) it has been announced that ‘NG’ has been sold to the ‘Stagecoach’ group.

 

PX55 AHJ

A Dennis Trident fitted with East Lanc Myllenium Lolyne bodywork. Its current operator is ‘Norfolk Green’ (NG). One of two similar buses in the fleet.

 

At one time it worked for ‘Stagecoach Cumbria’ in a blue and green livery dedicated to the X35 Kendal to Barrow-in-Furness service.

 

It is a interesting then that having once been sold by ‘Stagecoach’ it is now about to return to the fold.

 

NG buses mostly carry names. In this case ‘Jessie and George Ruhms’. 

 

A survey of the range of names on NG’s website shows an eclectic mix of names from history ranging from Boudicca a brave lady who fought the Romans to Sir Peter Scott the preservationist.

 

The one that tickled my fancy was ‘Sox the dog’ who seemingly helps out in the RSPCA shop in Hunstanton. Good for him (or her).

 

This is a pleasing feature which adds a personal touch that passengers can identify with.

 

MX03 YDB

An Optare Solo that was originally with Mistral the bus dealership and lessors that has only recently been repainted into the new ‘NG’ livery.

 

YJ59 GGO

Another Solo, this time in the old livery but advertising local radio station KLFM 96.7.

 

YK08 EUC

Another NG Optare Solo although this time branded for the ‘Coasthopper’ service. This is a much valued service the route of which is shown in the map.

 

YK57 FHM

NG have built up a fleet of a dozen or so Optare Tempo’s. This one is see laying over between duties

 

YJ03 UML

An Optare Spectra. Was originally new to ‘Reading Buses’ as its 729.

The Spectra was based on the designs of the MCW Metrobus which Optare purchased. Entering production in 1991, built on the DAF DB250LF chassis, the Spectra had a relatively short production run ending in 2005.

 

I had a ride on one of ‘Wilts & Dorset’s vehicles in Bournemouth and I thought them quite impressive vehicles. I could never really understand why it wasn’t more successful.

 

YJ55 BKO

One more of NG’s Optare Tempo’s. This one branded for the X29 which links Fakenham and Norwich so what it is doing in Kings Lynn I don’t know. Perhaps it was a case of needs must.

 

OY53 RFF

It is not often that I see a bus and I am stumped at identifying it. I had never seen one of these before.

Research shows it to be an ‘Iris Agoraline’. Produced by Renault from 1996 until 2002 as the Agora. From that time it became a joint venture with  FIAT subsidiary IVECO. The Agoraline differs from the Agora in as much as the engine is mounted longitudinally as opposed to the layout of the Agora where it is mounted transversely.

NG have built up a fleet of nine buses all in this livery.

 

MX53 FDD

Another Optare Solo showing the type of conditions prevailing on the day. Previously with one of my local operators in the East Midlands, ‘TM Travel’.

YJ10 EYC

 

Another product from the Optare range is this Versa. NG are only short of an Optare Excel to be able to show a full hand of Optare products.

 

YX63 LJO

An Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) E40D with ADL Enviro 400 bodywork on First Kings Lynn service X1.

This lengthy route (four and a half hours) links Peterborough to Lowestoft.

 

Finally a personal comment on the take over, I think ‘Stagecoach’ have done a good bit of business in purchasing NG and with the strength of the group behind them I am sure that NG employees will feel more secure.

 

I would like to wish both ‘Stagecoach’ and ‘NG’ every success in their shared future.