Suffolk Buses

Suffolk was once the territory of the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, with two municipal operators and several notable independents also running bus services in the county.


Eastern Counties eventually became part of the First Bus Group. Lowestoft Corporation Transport, later known as Waveney District Council, sold out in 1977. The other local authority-owned operator, Ipswich Buses, is one of the few examples left in the United Kingdom. The independent sector has expanded considerably within Suffolk. Established operators like Simond’s of Botesdale are still trading, while several newcomers are now running services in the county. As with most of the country, quite a number of independents have ceased trading. Remember Norfolk’s of Nayland, Premier Travel, and Theobald’s of Long Melford?


Since the early 1970s, John Law has been photographing these bus operations. The best of his efforts are shown, bringing back memories of vanished operators and the varied liveries of their vehicles, together with the current bus scene in Suffolk.