Stagecoach Highlands has grown its fleet of Volvo B8RLE MCV Evora single-deckers with the delivery of 20 further examples. 16 are 12.9m models, and the remainder are 10.8m variants.
They form part of a £40 million investment in the group’s North Scotland fleet. The latest buses follow previous batches of the Volvo MCV combination into Stagecoach Highlands, with the most recent of those having been 11 delivered to Skye during late 2022.
A further purchase of the combination is based on good experience of the earlier buses, with Stagecoach Group Technical Engineering Manager Stephen Morris noting that those have demonstrated “power and reliability.”
Adds Mr Morris: “Stagecoach has a strong relationship with Volvo, dating back more than three decades, which means that we have a really good understanding of the product.
“If there is ever anything we need, we have the local Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North and Scotland dealer less than a mile away from us in Inverness. Its technicians are always happy to help and deliver parts within 24 hours.”
The smaller B8RLE Evoras sit a maximum of 38, and the larger examples up to 50. All have USB charging points, LED lights, and three-point belts. The 7.7-litre D8K engine drives through a ZF EcoLife gearbox.
Stagecoach North Scotland Managing Director David Beaton observes that while the bus industry in Scotland has seen a difficult few years, the further fleet investment shows “our commitment to the continued improvement of public transport across the Highlands. We are proud to be part of the local community, and we are here to stay.”
