- Volvo B7TL
Volvo B7TL is a
low-floor double-decker bus which was launched in 1999 and replaced the 2-axle version ofVolvo Olympian (its 3-axle version was replaced byVolvo Super Olympian ). It was built as the British bus operators seemed hesitant to purchase the B7L double decker with a long rear overhang (although some have since entered service inGlasgow ,Scotland as 12m long double deckers).The B7TL chassis was initially built in
Irvine, Scotland . In 2000, production was gradually transferred toSweden . In mid-2004, production of MkII version of B7TL was started.Like the Olympian, the B7TL features a transversely-mounted rear engine and a shorter rear overhang, but the radiator was mounted on the right side of the engine compartment. It was equipped with Volvo D7C engine and ZF or Voith gearbox. The B7TL was initially available with
Alexander ALX400 andPlaxton President bodywork, later followed byEast Lancs Vyking and Myllennium Vyking bodies, and also theWright Eclipse Gemini .Volvo B7TL was very popular in the United Kingdom, with a large number being purchased by most of the major bus groups such as
FirstGroup plc andArriva . It was also popular in Ireland,Dublin Bus acquired 648 B7TLs between 2000 and 2007, all with Alexander/TransBus/Alexander Dennis ALX400 bodywork.Bus Éireann also purchased more than twenty B7TLs.Translink has purchased over 150 B7TLs.On the other hand, a batch of 150 B7TLs had been delivered to
Johannesburg ,South Africa in 2002 and were fitted with Marcopolo Viale DD bodywork.The Volvo B7TL was superseded by 2-axle version of the
Volvo B9TL in late 2006.Competitors
*
Dennis Trident 2
*Scania OmniDekka
*VDL DB250
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