Volvo B7TL
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Volvo B7TL is a low-floor double decker bus which was launched in 1999 and replaced the 2-axle version of Volvo Olympian (its 3-axle version was replaced by Volvo 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 in Glasgow, Scotland as 12m long double deckers).
The B7TL chassis was initially built in Irvine, Scotland. In 2000, production was gradually transferred to Sweden. 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 is mounted on the right side of the engine compartment. It is equipped with Volvo D7C engine and ZF or Voith gearbox. The B7TL was initially available with Alexander ALX400 and Plaxton President bodywork, later followed by East Lancs Vyking and 'Myllennium' Vyking II bodies, and also the Wright 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 and Arriva. It was also popular in Ireland, as of autumn 2006, Dublin Bus have acquired 548 B7TLs (these were bought over a five-year period), all with Alexander/Transbus/Alexander Dennis ALX400 bodywork, with a further 100 buses for delivery in 2006/07. Bus Éireann also purchased more than twenty 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The Volvo B7TL was superseded by 2-axle version of the Volvo B9TL in late 2006.
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