Simonds BN64 CNY 1415hrs Norwich to Roydon 140524
Taken from the front passenger seat of a friend’s car, in this shot, Simonds MCV Evolution bodied Volvo B8RLE type number BN64 CNY is caught by my camera on the northern outskirts of Long Stratton having just passed the St Michael’s Road turn while heading along the A140 Norwich Road with the above service 2 journey. Unlike the Konectbus service 2 journeys, south of Long Stratton, Simonds service deviates to follow parts of the old A140 through Dickleburgh, Scole and occasionally Thelverton. This vehicle joined the Simonds fleet in June 2016 having previously been a Volvo/MCV demonstrator and since new in November 2014 it had seen service with various operators across the UK.
It will be recalled that as a result of NCC retendering, from Sunday 1st September 2019 Konect took over operation of the Monday to Friday service 1 Diss - Norwich timetable from Simonds, with the latter retaining the Saturday service. Simonds also retained their Monday to Saturday alternative service 2 route between Roydon/Diss and Norwich; although the evening journeys passed to First Eastern Counties, initially as part of their service 38, but only over the Long Stratton - Norwich section. Konect additionally acquired the former Simonds Sunday service 118 journeys between Long Stratton and Norwich which, as we can see, were renumbered as part of service 1.
As from 3rd September 2023 the Saturday service 1 journeys also passed to Konect with Simonds once again retaining their service 2. At the same date Konect renumbered one of the four Monday to Saturday journeys each way as service 2 and amended the route to operate directly over the Long Stratton to Diss section. From 2nd April 2024 most journeys on Konect services 1 & 2 were extended to serve Diss Railway Station.
Just a week before the above shot was taken, it was officially confirmed that the 96 year old family owned Simonds Bus & Coach business had been acquired by the ever expanding Vectare.
Simonds BN64 CNY 1415hrs Norwich to Roydon 140524
Taken from the front passenger seat of a friend’s car, in this shot, Simonds MCV Evolution bodied Volvo B8RLE type number BN64 CNY is caught by my camera on the northern outskirts of Long Stratton having just passed the St Michael’s Road turn while heading along the A140 Norwich Road with the above service 2 journey. Unlike the Konectbus service 2 journeys, south of Long Stratton, Simonds service deviates to follow parts of the old A140 through Dickleburgh, Scole and occasionally Thelverton. This vehicle joined the Simonds fleet in June 2016 having previously been a Volvo/MCV demonstrator and since new in November 2014 it had seen service with various operators across the UK.
It will be recalled that as a result of NCC retendering, from Sunday 1st September 2019 Konect took over operation of the Monday to Friday service 1 Diss - Norwich timetable from Simonds, with the latter retaining the Saturday service. Simonds also retained their Monday to Saturday alternative service 2 route between Roydon/Diss and Norwich; although the evening journeys passed to First Eastern Counties, initially as part of their service 38, but only over the Long Stratton - Norwich section. Konect additionally acquired the former Simonds Sunday service 118 journeys between Long Stratton and Norwich which, as we can see, were renumbered as part of service 1.
As from 3rd September 2023 the Saturday service 1 journeys also passed to Konect with Simonds once again retaining their service 2. At the same date Konect renumbered one of the four Monday to Saturday journeys each way as service 2 and amended the route to operate directly over the Long Stratton to Diss section. From 2nd April 2024 most journeys on Konect services 1 & 2 were extended to serve Diss Railway Station.
Just a week before the above shot was taken, it was officially confirmed that the 96 year old family owned Simonds Bus & Coach business had been acquired by the ever expanding Vectare.