Volvo Buses

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

New look vehicles for Go Ahead London

A total of 39 Volvo B5LH Euro 6 hybrid double deck buses with new look Wrightbus bodywork are being supplied to Go Ahead London, with the first bus of the order being handed over at the Coach & Bus Live exhibition on 30 September 2015.
New look vehicles for Go Ahead London

Built to TfL standard and Go Ahead specification, this new order brings the first buses to London which include the new Gemini 3 bodywork with its feature twin doors.  The buses will be deployed on London routes 119, which runs from Bromley North to Croydon, 202 operating from Crystal Palace to Blackheath, and the 405 between Redhill and West Croydon.

Richard Harrington, Engineering Director for Go Ahead London, said:  “We are one of the largest operators of Volvo Buses in the UK and Ireland and the biggest bus operator in London and our continued patronage of the product is down to our previous good experience, particularly the Euro 5 hybrid, which has provided excellent in-service performance and reliability.

“We particularly like the new Wrightbus Gemini 3 styling which is the first two door 10.6m vehicle built to TfL specification to enter operation in London.  The new design gives drivers improved visibility with its wrap around screen, combined with an enhanced signalling window. 

“These new hybrid vehicles meet all the operational requirements and demands of London bus routes and offer some of the cleanest emissions standards in the world today.  It is particularly good to have TfL specified hybrid buses operating in outer London and means passengers from the suburbs are able to experience this new technology for themselves.”

Ian Downie, Managing Director – Sales & Customcare for Wrightbus, said:  “It is exciting to see the first buses featuring the new Gemini 3 bodywork destined for these key London routes and we look forward to continuing our successful ongoing relationships with Go Ahead London and Volvo Bus.”


The Volvo B5LH hybrid driveline has been designed to deliver consistent fuel and CO2 reductions of around 39% compared to their conventional diesel equivalents, as well as achieving the highest possible levels of reliability. With a passenger capacity of 87, the new double deck buses also offer excellent passenger comfort and everything in the driver’s area is set for superior ergonomics.

Gemini 3 is the latest body generation of this proven and popular chassis/body combination and as well as giving the double deck range added street appeal, many of the new features have been incorporated following customer feedback and include improved airflow throughout both salons, along with reduced solar gain in the upper saloon. 

Phil Owen, Commercial Director for Volvo Bus, said: “This order from Go Ahead London is a further endorsement for both Volvo and Wrightbus.  Not only of the operational performance of the bus itself and our relationship with this highly valued customer, but also of the Aftermarket packages that have been put in place to support the vehicles.”

ENDS

1 October 2015

Caption for image:

Go Ahead London 1: (L – R) Ian Downie, Managing Director – Sales & Customcare for Wrightbus, Richard Harrington, Engineering Director for Go Ahead London, John Traynor, Managing Director Go Ahead London and Phil Fletcher,  Fleet Sales Manager for Volvo Bus at the Coach & Bus Live exhibition.  A total of 39 Volvo B5LH Euro 6 hybrid double deck buses are being supplied to Go Ahead London.