I Don't Belieeeeeeve It!

Most weeks VOSA isn't that interesting. Some weeks it's a bit interesting. Other weeks your eyes can leap out like stalks at an entry cartoon style. Today was such a day. First, as reported a couple of days ago on Andy's Bus Blog is the news that Coastal Red, which is Julian Patterson's new baby is launching its first route on Jan 26th operating from Kings Lynn to Hunstanton as route 35. Here is the VOSA registration. What isn't mentioned in the application is that the name on the fleet of red Optare Tempos will not be Coastal Red but Lynx. See Andy's blog for full details and pics.

1. PF1131030/1 - COASTAL RED LIMITED, 7 COMMON LANE, NORTH RUNCTON, KING'S LYNN, PE33 0RD
   • Registration Accepted
   • Starting Point: Kings Lynn Bus Station
   • Finish Point: Hunstanton Bus Station
   • Via: Dersingham, Snettisham, Heacham
   • Service Number: 35
   • Service Type: Normal Stopping
   • Effective Date: 26-JAN-2015
   • Other Details: Monday to Sunday Hourly

Then I saw on the entries for yesterday something that had me double taking and picking eyes back up etc. This is it.

1. PF0000323/201 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, 6 LANSDOWNE ROAD, NORWICH, NR6 6NF
   • Cancellation Accepted: Operating between PETERBOROUGH and NORWICH given service number X1 effective from 25-Jan-2015.

Now I think you can call that a bit of surprise. So I scanned down wondering what I was going to find - a Stagecoach takeover perhaps? Go-Ahead East finally emerging into reality from rumour? But no - all was revealed 5 entries a bit further down.

1. PF0000323/370 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, 6 LANSDOWNE ROAD, NORWICH, NR6 6NF
   • Registration Accepted
   • Starting Point: Wisbech Bus Station
   • Finish Point: Peterborough, Bus Station
   • Via: Thorney
   • Service Number: X1
   • Service Type: Limited Stop
   • Effective Date: 25-JAN-2015
   • Other Details: Daily service
2. PF0000323/371 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, 6 LANSDOWNE ROAD, NORWICH, NR6 6NF
   • Registration Accepted
   • Starting Point: Kings Lynn Bus Station
   • Finish Point: Wisbech Bus Station
   • Via:
   • Service Number: X1
   • Service Type: Limited Stop
   • Effective Date: 25-JAN-2015
   • Other Details: Daily Service
3. PF0000323/372 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, 6 LANSDOWNE ROAD, NORWICH, NR6 6NF
   • Registration Accepted
   • Starting Point: Market Place, Dereham
   • Finish Point: Kings Lynn Bus Station
   • Via: Swaffham
   • Service Number: X1 (K)
   • Service Type: Limited Stop
   • Effective Date: 25-JAN-2015
   • Other Details: Daily
4. PF0000323/373 - FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES BUSES LTD, 6 LANSDOWNE ROAD, NORWICH, NR6 6NF
   • Registration Accepted
   • Starting Point: Norwich Bus Station
   • Finish Point: Market Place, Dereham
   • Via:
   • Service Number: x1 (d)
   • Service Type: Limited Stop
   • Effective Date: 25-JAN-2015
   • Other Details: Daily

 So it would appear that the Western side of the X1 is coming off tacho and is going domestic, thus activating the 50K rule dictated by the EU which means splitting the route into sections. It has been confirmed that this means that as in the Esstern section buses will no longer be allowed to show through destinations. So get on at Norwich and it will be showing X1 Dereham with underneath "for connection to Kings Lynn and Peterborough" no doubt. Then the main destination will change to Kings Lynn, Wisbech and finally Peterborough, which will only be visible if boarding at Wisbech as opposed to Lowestoft less than 6 months ago. So Britain's longest bus route will actually be 6 bus routes coincidentally with the same route number. 

I don't know about anyone else but I find this nothing short of comical, yet pathetic at the same time. I can't blame First for doing what other firms, notably Anglian in this region have done, but at the same time Anglian linked several routes together and they keep their individual route numbers. This route has been split into 6. I also wonder if those side vinyls will actually be legal anymore as they show the whole route under a single route number. If it can't be shown on the destinartion screen can it be shown on the sides and branding? I guess only time will tell but I quoted my hero Victor Meldrew as the headline for this post and I can just hear him exclaiming "What in the name of bloody hell" at the thought of 6 different destination screens on one route.

Also in VOSA was notice to alter timetables to the X2, and also 8/8A/8B in Yarmouth/ The full publication for that day can be viewed by clicking here and searching Eastern Area 3rd December with the option "View All"