In June 2009 Volvo Buses confirmed
it had received an order for 100 buses from Kowloon Motor Bus Company Ltd
(KMB) in Hong Kong. The order involves 60 double-decker and 40 single-decker
12-metre buses.
Owing to changing operational routing requirements,
KMB has commenced remapping their fleet and the B7RLE single-decker buses
have been selected for lower capacity routes.
The company selected the Volvo B7RLE in which
the 7-litre engine meets the Euro V emissions standard, the same norm that
will apply in Europe as of this autumn. The bodies will be produced by
the MCV company. The buses are air-conditioned and provide space for 35
seated and 43 standing passengers. They are equipped with a ramp at the
front door to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs.
The first vehicles began to arrive in January
2010 but did not enter service until mid April, initially on route 273.
They have been allocated the class code of AVC. The last of the batch were
registered in August 2010. On
14th December 2011, AVC41 and AVC42 were registered and it is believed
these are the first of a further order for thirty such vehicles. The
final vehicle of this second order, AVC70, was registered on 22nd May
2012. |