Volvo Citybuses

This page created 26th February 2013 by Ian Smith

The Volvo Citybus was produced by Volvo in the latter 1980s to compete with the Leyland Olympian and Scania in the double-decker UK market. Not a new chassis, it utillised the successful B10-M coach chassis with a mid-chassis engine, for buses usually tucked under the floor. As an idea it worked well in terms of passenger accommodation, with no engine at rear or front, giving a sensible solution to getting a reasonable number of downstairs seats. Some of them had immense rear overhangs, to emphasise the advantage without an horrific weight distribution. They did tend to be on the tall side.

Bodies came from a variety of manufacturers, some of them relatively new to the London scene: East Lancs, Northern Coachbuilders, Alexander. They were taken by a variety of companies: London General used them in the Central Area, as did Grey-Green with their high profile use on route 24 past the Houses of Parliament. London & Country was a firm believer, with both East Lancs and Northern Counties varieties. Grey-Green produced some oddities, with a batch of sixteen buses built onto redundant long-wheelbase coach chasssis, which had a very short rear overhang. They also produced single-decker versions in two lengths. Boro'Line Maidstone used some on its foray into Central London tendering, which then continued with Kentish Bus and Arriva.

Then Volvo took over British Leyland, and decided on the Olympian as its standard UK doubledecker.

CONTENTS


Bus Stop Volvo Citybuses London General VC