Rare Spots: March '16

513 in some rare wintry weather for Norfolk

March was fairly uneventful; or maybe I just missed everything due to a mini bus-spotting break in Yorkshire but either way only a handful of sightings make it to this months Rare Spots post.

The first is another Konectbus on loan to sister company Anglian. Joining Solo 901 VX51RJZ is Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse-Gemini 513 LB02YXE which is sighted here on the seventh of March in Trowse operating the 88 towards Norwich. This isn't up to my usual standard of photos but I was on my bicycle at the time and had to pull over, then scramble around in my pockets to get my phone out and hope for the best. I wasn't too upset with the result! Steve W also spotted 513 and posted a picture of it at the time on his blog.

952 at Norwich Bus Station

Sticking with Konect, and now back from my break in Yorkshire, on the 23rd of March I sighted ex-Anglian slimline Solo 952 AO57BDY pulling into the bus station about to operate service 6 to that place that people who aren't from Norfolk can't say properly. The 3 and 6 services have a fleet of specially branded Alexander Dennis Enviro400s which are used daily and are rarely unusable. 952 transferred from Anglian back in January 2014 to coincide with extra vehicles being needed once Konect took over their inner-city routes.

The metallic green bus on Queen's Road, Norwich

Now we have two photos of BorderBus buses, both featuring their flagship 146 service which operates between Southwold and Norwich with a fleet of dedicated Enviro200s which boast personalised registrations. March saw a bit of variety on the route though with an Enviro200MMC demonstrator in use between the 21st and 26th. YX65RKK has previously been with McGills and GHA Coaches and is now with Courtney Buses of Bracknell.

207 in the Spring sunshine

Last week however, the 146 timetable changed and an increased frequency was introduced. This required an extra bus to be sourced in the form of 109 BB60BUS (YX11CSZ). Fitting in with the fleet, 109 is an Enviro200 but due to a delay in the delivery of the leather seats it was not ready in time to see service on the new timetable. Thankfully the timings were such that the timetable change coincided with the Easter Holidays which meant that the company's fleet of Plaxton Presidents was available to chose from. It wasn't the first time a decker had appeared on the route and the new timetable even states that a decker may be used at peak times if needed which means it may become a more regular occurance. Above we see 207, a Volvo B7TL approaching Beccles on Thursday 31st.

If you see any rare workings or have any photos you'd like featured on the blog, please contact me by email at zak.nbp@gmail.com

Also don't forget to check out the fleet lists which have been updated as of the 1st of April. New this month are Lambert's Coaches and Ambassador Travel.