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Volvo B7RLE

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Volvo B7RLE
Arriva Netherlands Volvo 8900LE bodied Volvo B7RLE in Leiden
Overview
ManufacturerVolvo
Production2001 - present
AssemblyBorås, Sweden
Body and chassis
Doors1-3
Floor typeLow entry
Powertrain
EngineVolvo D7C/D7E
Capacity31 to 50 seated
Power output215hp, 250hp, 275hp, 290hp
TransmissionVoith DIWA 864.3E/D864.5
Volvo I-Shift
ZF Ecomat 6HP552N/6HP554N
ZF Ecolife 6AP1400B
Dimensions
Lengthvarious from
10 to 12 m (32 ft 10 in to 39 ft 4 in)
Width2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Chronology
PredecessorVolvo B10BLE
Volvo B7L
SuccessorVolvo B8RLE

The Volvo B7RLE is a low-entry single-deck bus chassis manufactured by Volvo. It was superseded by the Volvo B8RLE in 2013, with production of the B7RLE continuing until 2018.[1]

Specifications

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The Volvo B7RLE is similar to its predecessor, the B10BLE. In essence the B7RLE is the front section of the B7L chassis mated with the rear section of the B7R chassis. Originally, the B7RLE featured the D7C 6-cylinder, 7.3-litre diesel engine with a turbocharger and intercooler, producing 250 or 275 bhp and meeting the Euro III incentive emission standard. This was replaced by the 7.1-litre Volvo D7E engine producing 290 bhp, to Euro III/Euro IV/Euro V incentive emission standards. Unlike the B7L, the B7RLE's engine is mounted at the center of the rear overhang as opposed to the nearside, resolving the issue of engine intrusion into the saloon. The Volvo B7RLE is also equipped with disc brakes and ABS.

Operators

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The Volvo B7RLE was launched in mainland Europe and Australia in 2001, and then in the United Kingdom in 2003 to supplement the B7L, which was unsuccessful in both countries.

United Kingdom and Ireland

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The B7RLE appealed most to operators in both United Kingdom and Ireland, with whom the B7L proved unpopular. Major purchasers included the FirstGroup (820), Arriva (134), Blazefield Group (88), Bus Éireann (73), East Yorkshire Motor Services (27), Lothian Buses (90), National Express West Midlands (188), Ulsterbus (46), Wellglade Group (51) and Wilts & Dorset (78).

Initially the B7RLE was only available in the UK with Wright Eclipse Urban bodywork. From 2004, the B7RLE was also offered as a low-floor single-decker coach, featuring a longer front overhang and a Wright Eclipse Commuter body.[2] From late 2006, the B7RLE in the UK was available with Plaxton Centro bodywork followed by Alexander Dennis Enviro300 and Optare Esteem bodywork in 2008.[3][4]

  • B7RLE Eclipse
    B7RLE Eclipse
  • B7RLE of Arriva
    B7RLE of Arriva

Australia

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Transperth is the largest operator of Volvo B7RLEs in Australia, taking delivery of 767 Volgren-bodied B7RLEs from 2011 onwards as part of a contract with the Public Transport Authority of the state of Western Australia. The first batches of these buses were delivered with Volgren CR228L bodies, with later models receiving new Volgren's Optimus body, both being locally assembled in the Perth suburb of Malaga.[5][6]

Transport for Brisbane took delivery of a total of 554 Volgren-bodied Volvo B7RLEs with Volgren bodywork from 2009 onwards as part of a 12-year contract between Brisbane City Council, Volvo Buses and Volgren, with the final assembly of these buses taking place at a facility in Eagle Farm as part of the contract. In 2011, Brisbane City Council won Lung Foundation Australia's Green Leaf Award as a result of introducing Volvo B7RLEs into Greater Brisbane's bus fleet.[7][8]

Elsewhere in Australia, large numbers of B7RLEs were purchased by ComfortDelGro Australia (400) and the State Transit Authority of New South Wales (123), built with Bustech, Custom Bus and Volgren bodywork.

  • Volgren Optimus B7RLE
    Volgren Optimus B7RLE
  • Volgren CR228L B7RLE
    Volgren CR228L B7RLE

Mainland China

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B7RLE in Shanghai, China

The B7RLE is one of the very few foreign bus chassis models in Mainland China, assembled by Shanghai Sunwin Bus, assigned Chinese assembly model numbers SWB6125, SWB6120V4LE, and SWB6120V6LE. Units operated in Shanghai are SWB6120V4LE, with fleet number prefix S2F/S2G (Shanghai Public Transport) & S2B (Pudong Bus) (Euro III); S2D, with fleet number prefix S2D (written off) and SWB6120V6LE, with fleet number prefix S2M (Shanghai Public Transport)(Euro IV w/ adblue). One SWB6120V6LE unit was sent to Nanjing Public Transport as a gift, but never entered service due to a series of reasons. The B7RLE was seen very commonly on Shanghai streets.

As of 2023, Shanghai Public Transport has retired its entire B7RLE fleet together with the B9Ls and B7Ls, making its transition to battery-powered electric and diesel hybrid buses.

The entire fleet of B7RLEs in China mainland are equipped with Volvo D7B260/D7E290EC01/D7E290EC06 Engines paired with ZF EcoMat 6HP554C transmission.

Hong Kong

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An MCV Evolution bodied Volvo B7RLE in Hong Kong

In 2003, Huangbus (Lok Ma Chau - Huanggang shuttle bus service) purchased five B7RLEs with Jit Luen JL-08 bodies and D7E-290 7142cc engines. Kowloon Motor Bus took delivery of 70 B7RLEs with MCV Evolution bodies between 2010 and 2012.[9]

India

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In India, Volvo B7RLEs were introduced into service in Bangalore as India's first Volvo city buses in 2006 by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation.[10] B7RLEs are also operated by Metropolitan Transport Corporation and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation in Chennai and Pondicherry, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram and in 2014 Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation started using B7RLEs for their Town To Town services all over Kerala state.

They were later inducted into the fleets of Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport, and BEST for use in Navi Mumbai and Mumbai respectively. Custom made B7RLE chassis are assembled at Volvo's factory outside Bangalore. The dual-doored versions are operated by the WBTC in Kolkata. B7RLEs are also operated by Assam State Transport Corporation in Assam state.

Israel

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Metropoline purchased Volvo B7RLEs with Merkavim Pioneer bodywork. Some bus companies own Volvo B7RLEs with USB sockets, WiFi and Real time and it is the first country to use 2009 buses with a new ZF EcoLife transmission

Malaysia

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In 2006, Rapid Bus ordered 120 Deftech bodied B7RLE buses for operation on RapidKL services. This is the first Rapid Bus fleet to feature wheelchair accessible ramp, and only bus fleet to feature wheelchair accessible ramp at both front and rear doors (later front doors ramp were removed after refurbishment). Later in 2014, MRT Malaysia Corp ordered 150 Gemilang Coachworks bodied B7RLE's for operation on MRT feeder bus.

  • Gemilang bodied Volvo B7RLE for MRT Feeder bus
    Gemilang bodied Volvo B7RLE for MRT Feeder bus
  • Deftech bodied Volvo B7RLE for RapidKL
    Deftech bodied Volvo B7RLE for RapidKL

New Zealand

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Twenty Volvo B7RLEs with DesignLine bodies were delivered to NZ Bus, then owned by Infratil, for service in Auckland in May 2007.[11] Mana Coach Services operate 22 Kiwi Bus Builders bodied B7RLEs equipped with a third tag axle.

Philippines

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Volvo B7RLE in the Philippines, body made by Autodelta for Joanna Jesh Transport Inc.

The Philippines has B7RLEs running in Cebu City, operated by Metro Rapid Transport System Inc., the owner of MyBus. Starting July 2016, RRCG Transport launches "P2P (Point-to-Point) Premium Bus Service" for Alabang Town Center to Greenbelt 1, serving 3 units for King Long XMQ6127G with Sunwin SWB6128 front and rear mask, built by the Philippine-based Autodelta Coach Builders, Inc. This model is also used by Cebu Pacific for transporting passengers from NAIA Terminal 3 to their aircraft. The bus company Joanna Jesh Transport and CEM Trans Services Inc also started to use the bus model for its FTI-Navotas and Alabang-Malanday route respectively starting in 2019.[12][better source needed]

Singapore

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B7RLE, Sentosa featuring Liannex bodies

Singapore has B7RLEs running in Sentosa featuring Liannex bodies, either in a city bus configuration for its internal shuttles, or as open-top double-decker buses. A Euro IV demonstrator featuring Soon Chow bodywork was offered to SBS Transit (initially meant for a one-year trial) in December 2007, registered as SBS8030L, and is under Hougang Depot as a training bus currently.

Taiwan

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In Taiwan, B7RLEs were first introduced on Chiayi Bus Rapid Transit (Chiayi BRT) in 2007. All B7RLEs in Taiwan that were manufactured between 2007 and 2012 featured Tang Eng Iron Works bodywork, whereas those manufactured after 2013 featured Daji bodywork.

  • B7RLE, Taiwan
    B7RLE, Taiwan

References

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  1. ^ Aldridge, Paul (19 May 2017). "New Volvo Chassis Unveiled". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Wheelchair access: a Wright solution". Coach & Bus Week. No. 561. Peterborough: Emap. 30 January 2003. Archived from the original on 13 March 2003. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Euro Bus Expo '06: New show, new vehicles". Bus & Coach Professional. 24 October 2006. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 on ADL, MAN or Volvo Chassis". Busworld. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Transperth prototype arrives". Australasian Bus & Coach. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Volvo delivers first B7RLE to Transperth" (Press release). Volvo Buses Australia. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Volvo wins order for 180 buses to Brisbane". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  8. ^ Cotter, Fabian (7 June 2021). "Final Volvo-Volgren Brisbane Council contract bus delivered". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  9. ^ Johansson, Martin (29 May 2009). "Order for 100 Volvo buses in Hong Kong" (Press release). Volvo Buses. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Volvo's first city buses in India operating" (Press release). Volvo Buses. 25 January 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  11. ^ "Breakthrough for Volvo Buses in New Zealand" (Press release). Volvo Buses. 23 November 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Pinoy Bus Fanatic". Facebook. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
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Media related to Volvo B7RLE at Wikimedia Commons

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