Gatwick Hoppa has taken delivery of three Volvo B8RLE single-deck buses with MCV Evora bodywork for use on a 24/7 service connecting hotels surrounding Gatwick Airport with its two terminals.
They are 11.3m examples with dual doors, and are the first Volvo buses to join the Gatwick Hoppa fleet. 29 seats are fitted and there is room for 47 standing passengers. Space for a wheelchair user is included, and the vehicles have large luggage racks to suit an airport application.
A distinctive, blue-based livery has been applied by EuroTint Customs. Power is from the Volvo D8K engine driving through a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.
Speaking about the deliveries, Gatwick Hoppa Managing Director Kiran Suresh says: “We were looking to grow the fleet, and there was a firm preference from management for the Volvo brand.
“The Evora is a proven product for airport operations, and in the specification we have selected, we are confident that this is the best vehicle for our customers. They also look superb, and early feedback from passengers and drivers alike has been entirely positive.”
The depth of aftersales support from Volvo Buses and its service network was a further factor in the decision, continues Mr Suresh.
“Being located close to the London South dealerpoint in Croydon means that we can have direct access to Volvo’s Bus Field Service team, which supports bus operators across London and the South East.
“It was one of the reasons we took a three-year service and maintenance agreement, as this will really make our lives easier.”
Volvo Bus UK and Ireland has previous supplied the MCV Evora combination to other customers for use at airports including Dublin, East Midlands, Heathrow, and Manchester.
