Matthews Coach Hire of Inniskeen in County Monaghan has taken delivery of three Volvo 9700 double-deckers. They are the first of their kind in Ireland and form part of an order for five such vehicles from the First Bus subsidiary.
Each coach has 95 seats with drop-down tables. Other specification aspects include wood-effect flooring and USB-A and USB-C charging points along with on-board wi-fi.
Over 90% of the operator’s fleet is built on Volvo chassis. The 9700 double-deckers deliver a 34% uplift over the passenger capacity of the vehicles they will replace to give increased flexibility on scheduled routes without the need to add resource.
Commuter routes between Dundalk, Drogheda and Dublin will be the coaches’ primary use, although a premium specification makes them equally suited to private hire and tour work. Each is expected to cover around 50,000km per year.
Speaking about the arrivals, Matthews Coach Hire Director Majella Lambe says: “Reliability is the top priority for us, and Volvo Buses has continued to deliver that. These new 9700s not only look stunning, but they offer increased capacity and comfort and provide a first-class travelling experience for our passengers.
“Our drivers can be assured that their working environment reflects Volvo’s commitment to quality, safety and advanced technology. Every detail of the specification is designed to deliver a premium experience for everyone on board.” That includes use of a Synectics camera monitoring system in place of rear-view mirrors.
Power is from the D13K engine developing 500bhp coupled to the I-Shift automated manual gearbox. That combination provides copious torque for challenging terrain while maximising fuel economy, the manufacturer says.
Adds Volvo Bus UK and Ireland Regional Account Manager Diarmaid Thompson: “The team at Matthews Coach Hire immediately saw the potential that this new model offered when we began discussing specifications following its launch.
“Now, seeing them on the road, I am confident that they will prove a real winner with passengers. It was a very proud moment to deliver the first vehicles into service; they look amazing and have been generating a huge buzz on social media.”
