First East Anglia
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First East Anglia is a major bus operator in Norfolk and Suffolk in eastern England. Part of First Group it is the marketing name of Eastern Counties Omnibus Company.
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[edit] History
The company was formed in 1931 by the combination of four existing bus companies in East Anglia, the earliest of which started operations in 1902. Eastern Counties operated throughout Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and the Soke of Peterborough. The company was a subsidiary of Tilling and British Automobile Traction Limited (TBAT).
In 1933 services in the city of Norwich were taken over with the acquisition of the local tram company, the trams being withdrawn in 1935 in favour of buses.
In 1942 the TBAT group was broken up and Eastern Counties passed to the Tilling Group. In 1948 Tilling's bus interests were sold to the government, and Eastern Counties was nationalised as a company under the control of the British Transport Commission (BTC).
In 1962 the BTC bus companies passed to the Transport Holding Company (THC). While still state-owned, THC companies were required to act as commercial concerns. In 1969 Eastern Counties became part of the National Bus Company.
The bus operations of Waveney District Council were taken over in 1977 after a recast of services left municipal operation unviable.
In preparation for bus deregulation and privatisation the western part of the company, comprising operations in Cambridgeshire was broken off into a separate company: Cambus Limited, on September 9, 1984 as were the Company's coaching operations which became Ambassador Travel based at Great Yarmouth.
The company was sold to First Group on February 26, 1987. In 1996 the municipal buses of Great Yarmouth Transport were acquired.
[edit] Criticisms
[edit] Price Increases
As of November 1st 2006; prices in and and around the Norwich area have been "Simplified"; in other words, the prices have been increased yet again. Additionally, the return fares have been phased out; it is now only possible to buy two single tickets, as opposed to one return.
The new prices charged by First appear extortionate compared to other local companies, with one particular route costing £1.50 single; compared to 90 pence single with the Anglian bus company and Norfolk Green bus company.
A weekly pass now costs £12, and a day ticket is available from £4. This is an increase of 50p over the previous price of £3.50
[edit] Fleet
The fleet of buses run are often are poorly maintained, and come across as being old and shabby compared to the stock of the local competition.
