Coach Services of Thetford has taken delivery of a further two Volvo B8RLEs with MCV Evora bodywork, supplied by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland.

While they join earlier examples in the Norfolk fleet, the latest vehicles are the first 10.8m variants to be purchased. The existing models are all at 12m.

Every new single-deck bus bought by Coach Services over the last five years has been the Volvo MCV combination. Director Rob Crawford says that the type is favoured largely due to reliability.

“This time we have opted for a shorter length as it gives us better manoeuvrability – something our drivers appreciate on the narrow routes they operate on,” he adds.

Usage for the latest pair will be on the T1, T2 and T3 Thetford Rangers services. They run through the town and its surrounding forest corridor. Suitable branding is carried, including a stag logo to represent that landscape. Each bus has 35 seats and an overall capacity of 84.

Support from Volvo Truck and Bus Centre Thetford was another positive, says Mr Crawford. The operator is close to that dealership, with three further locations within 30 miles.

Such coverage “is incredibly convenient for parts supply or getting technical assistance when needed,” he continues. “That level of support is a big part of why the partnership has remained so strong – it makes it far easier to provide a consistent, dependable service for our passengers.”

Power in the B8RLE Evora is from the 7.7-litre D8K engine coupled to a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.

[adrotate banner=”44″]