Volvo Olympian

For Volvo's low floor double-decker bus once known as Volvo Olympian, see Volvo B9TL.
Volvo Olympian

Metrobus Northern Counties Palatine bodied Volvo Olympian at Crawley bus station in March 2009
Overview
Manufacturer Volvo
Production 1992-2000
Body and chassis
Doors 1-3
Floor type Step entrance
Powertrain
Engine Cummins L10
Volvo TD102KF
Volvo D10A
Power output 245 hp (Volvo)
215/252 hp (Cummins)
Transmission Voith DIWA
ZF Ecomat
Dimensions
Length 2-axle:
9.6 m, 10.3 m
3-axle:
10.4 m, 11.3 m, 12 m
Chronology
Predecessor Leyland Olympian
Successor Volvo B7TL
Volvo Super Olympian

The Volvo Olympian was a rear-engined double decker bus chassis manufactured by Volvo at its Irvine, Scotland factory. The first was built in 1992 and entered production in March 1993, replacing the Leyland Olympian.

History

The design was based on its predecessor, the Leyland Olympian, but the chassis was modified such that only the chassis design and layout remained, with even the grade of steel for the chassis members being changed, Volvo's standard electrical system was used, as well as standard Volvo steering/"Z cam" braking systems. The early Volvo Olympians were offered with Cummins L10 or Volvo TD102KF engine, coupled to Voith DIWA or ZF Ecomat gearbox.[1][2] From late 1996, only the Volvo D10A-245 Euro II engine with electronic diesel control was offered.

It was available with Alexander R-type, Northern Counties Palatine and East Lancs E Type/Pyoneer bodywork.

The Volvo Olympian remained as popular as the Leyland Olympian in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Large number of Olympians were exported to Hong Kong and Singapore; most of them being air-conditioned.

Orders

United Kingdom

Arriva Southern Counties Northern Counties Palatine bodied Volvo Olympian in Tunbridge Wells in April 2009

The buses were very popular in Great Britain.

London United, Metroline, Stagecoach London, London Central, London General, Capital Citybus, MTL London, Harris Bus and First Centrewest had received 687 Volvo Olympians between 1994 and 1999. Because of a low-floor rule that had to be complied with by 2006, these buses had a short time use. Only two buses from London United survived for rail replacement services.

Many other operators outside London do receive Volvo Olympians.

Ireland

Dublin Bus had continued their orders with the RA batch being ordered first (RA176 - RA325), 150 buses in 1994. In January 1997, Dublin Bus ordered further 315 Volvo Olympians, which is RV. During the period, new liveries had been introduced, of which it is CitySwift and the changing of the livery from two-tone green/orange to white/blue/orange. All buses were withdrawn in 2011.

Hong Kong

Citybus Volvo Olympian in Hong Kong in May 2009

Kowloon Motor Bus had ordered 531 Volvo Olympian 11m, 348 Volvo Olympian 12m and 30 Volvo Olympian non-aircon buses between 1994 and 1999. Due to the modernisation of the fleet, all Volvo Olympian non-aircon buses, and some of the early Volvo Olympians had been withdrawn.

Citybus had ordered 10 Volvo Olympian 10.4m, 2 Volvo Olympian 12m (second hand from China Light & Power), 310 Volvo Olympian 12m and 142 Volvo Olympian 11m (two second-hand from China Motor Bus) between 1994 and 1998. Due to the modernisation of the fleet, most of the buses were withdrawn.

China Motor Bus ordered 64 Volvo Olympians between 1996 and 1998. 62 were sold to New World First Bus in 1998 and 5 of them were converted to open-top for Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus.

Singapore

Singapore Bus Services had ordered 100 Volvo Olympian 2-Axles (7198T - 7297R) and 201 Volvo Olympian 3-Axles (9200G - 9400X) in 1993, followed by 200 Volvo Olympian 3-Axles (9401T - 9600K) again in 1995 and lastly 70 Volvo Olympian 3-Axles (9601H - 9670H) in 1998. All the Volvo Olympian 2-Axles were withdrawn between 2011 and 2013, followed by Volvo Olympian 3-Axle (Batch 1) until 2014.

All buses have their seats removed for wider standing space.

End of production

Production of Volvo Olympian ended in 2000 and concluded a run of over 10,000 Leyland/Volvo Olympian chassis. The last built were for Yorkshire Coastliner and had Alexander Royale bodies. The chassis had two low-floor successors: the 2-axle Volvo B7TL and the 3-axle Volvo Super Olympian.

References

  1. ↑ Volvo power for Olympian Commercial Motor 27 February 1992
  2. ↑ Volvo opens bus lines in Irvine Commercial Motor 1 April 1993

External links