Volvo Made a Bus for the U.S. | Volvo 9700
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2022
- Volvo Doesn't only make Cars. They make all kinds of other things including a particular bus that they released in North America. The Volvo 9700.
In this video I will share the history of how the Volvo 9700 came to be and the specs and variants.
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FOOTAGE USED FROM OTHER UA-cam CHANNELS:
@Scotty Kilmer Volvo
• Here’s Why Old Volvos ...
@Prevost Volvo 9700
• Volvo | 9700: A proven...
• Star Trek II Wrath of ...
• Volvo | 9700 Safety (EN)
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SOURCES USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO:
Volvo Corporation wiki
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo
WIKI Volvo 9700
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_9700
WIKI CPTDB VOLVO 9700
cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Volvo...
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Hello Sir, Am Pavan Sharma professional Coach Driver from India. I drove Volvo 9700 & B11R I Shift, in India for 6 Years and My experience with Volvo is very good it's very safe fast and very comfortable especially considering Indian roads. I really enjoyed Driving Volvo buses I have a very good and loving Memories I love Volvo Bus.❤
if the roads and driving are as bad as I have seen on the Internet I'm glad your in a Volvo, like there cars they are built like tanks.
Does Volvo make the Volvo bus in India 🇮🇳
@@paulsweeney5477 Yes, they started manufacturing in 2001 by launching B7R. And after some time 9700 and B11R I Shift
As a passenger, I do enjoy riding in 9700s. Also, the North American version is basically an adaption of the Mexican version with basically the same dimensions and interiors of the second generation 9700 from Mexico.
The 9700 is a ubiquitous workhorse in Mexico for its reliability and good fuel economy. It came in several trims including Select (base model), Luxury (premium model), and Touring (tourist-oriented model with stuff like a rear window). It got a refresh in 2013 with the Grand series that included stuff like the corner DRLs on the bumper and side trim on the windows. It was discontinued in 2015-2016 when the Mexican-exclusive 9800 was unveiled but many 9700s are still in service.
The 9700 was adapted to the US and Canadian markets through a variant called the US/CAN which meets certain regulations that would disqualify the Mexican versions from operating here. This is the one you're talking about. Some differences include a 2-piece windshield, 3-point seatbelts, emission-compliant engines, corner mirrors instead of overhead mirrors, removal of the bulkhead between the driver and passengers, ADA-compliant wheelchair lift, removal of the fold-up seat by the door (the offending piece which violates federal law by placing people ahead of the standee line), removal of the modesty panel windows, and a single corner restroom instead of a small partitioned area which housed two restrooms and a galley.
The Volvo and irizar are very popular in Mexico and James you forgot the new Volvo bus that comes with double decker
Volvos 9700 has still a strong presence here in Finland as shown in the video. I used to work to a bus company which operated scheduled branchline operations between bigger cities and inside city areas as local services. 9700 series (HD, H, S) was constructed in my hometown Tampere and also in Turku were is currently the last busfactory in as far as I know in Finland. The 9700 was developed here after Carrus Star 602, 502 and 302 models. These older ones were constructed to various bus chassis manufacturers like Scania K113 and K114, K124 and Mercedes O350 and O500 chassis but mainly with Volvo B10B/M/B12B. These older busbody models had European Unions approval / standardisation / certification fore front with Volvo before corporate merger. So easy deal and so on.. After merger Carrus made 5 or 6 unique units to Scania K114 chassis the 9700 but they were designated as Carrus Star 503 but after that only Volvo chassises as unified product Volvo 9700 family.
I have driven 9700-family (all) whith chassis that have had B12M (mid engine), B12B, B13B, B11B and B8B all rest are rear mounted engines. With 8-speed manual and 12-speed I-shift... Manual with mid engine layout variant 9700h has been and still is all time favor despite it is not manufactured any more 😢
And i was those that had something to do the overall looks of the 9700hd and h/s exterrior bodyshape linings after new modeling after previous Star models. I had connection with Carrus Oy's salesteam leader on Tampere at the time of developing new 9700 😅 He took sketshes seriously and then once young ethusiast dream came reality. These days he is retired and I was 13 or 14 years old back then and highly intrested in buses and transporting business (and still I am) My schooling steps unfortunately didn't take me to that engineering path with manufacturing buses but to world of logistics almost 25 years after launch in Nordics and driving those drawings for 11 years after cdl for buses 😂😂
I was quite suprised that US is now finally getting 9700 rolling there. I knew that almost every were corner of The Globe had these... I am not insulting US in this perspective but the strong legal system and tradition and culture with vehicles got to have something to do with delays of introducing 9700 or Mercedes Tourliner.
I do hope that everybody enjoys working and traveling with 9700 - family 😊 and offcourse all others motorcoaches 👍
In 2001 and 2002, the body model was also available on other chassis as the Carrus Star 503 (9700H) and Star 603 (9700HD) in Finland, Sweden and Norway. A handful of Star 503 were built on Scania K114EB/K124EB and Scania K114IB/K124IB chassis. In Norway they were all sold as Scania Classic. Two Star 503 were built on Mercedes-Benz OC500RF for Norwegian operator TIRB. Only two Star 603 are known to have been built on Scania chassis. A K124EB 6x2 to Norway in summer of 2001 and a K124EB 4x2 to Finland in early 2002.
Production of the fourth generation Carrus Star began in 1995. The series included the Star 302, Star 502 and Star 602. Models were also produced in Poland under the names Volvo 7350, Volvo 7450 and Volvo 7550. The fifth generation of the fourth generation Star was developed in 2001.
Volvo is a parent to NovaBus in Canada as I love those LFS by generations, some are articulated and some are rigid without the other bus body
I drove school bus for a few months before starting with a Greyhound Connect company (privately operated). I was thrown into the Volvo 9700 with no experience in a tour bus/motor coach. It was an absolute joy to drive and was quite reliable with the Allison transmission. It is a bit different to be so much further in front of the wheels, but I don't remember operating it any differently other than to make it so you had to raise the suspension height with a button and go slow over large dips in the road so you didn't hit the ground with the bumper. I did always wish the tag axle would steer instead of just stay straight on tight turns though.
I’ve been driving motor coaches for almost 20 years and I drove a Volvo 9700 two weeks ago for the first time I drove from NYC to Pittsburgh for an overnight trip……… I truly loved 🥰 the experience it’s way better than I was told great handling in heavy rain 🌧️ and the windshield was easily de fogged……. I definitely recommend Volvo …….
I currently drive a 2019 9700 and I absolutely love it. It has the Allison transmission which is very smooth. However I have driven a 2010 and 2011 9700 with the 12 speed automatic transmission. That took quite a bit of skill to get the bus through an intersection while making a turn smoothly. The hold function of the 9700 is for the 12 speed as it will roll backwards on a hill......just like a truck.
Conventional torque converter automatic like Allison will always be smoother than a automated manual crap.
I agree I would not want to see a driver get injured cause of a careless driver in a car or something you guys are the bread and butter of the motor coach industry and deserve all the safety and comforts possibly while driving your guests to and from there destinations
My favorite coach to drive before we had the 9700 we had a all VanHool fleet which is a solid coach
And also the Volvo 9700 recently got another facelift / new look for the European market, and it also has a "bigger" sibling, the 9900
Volvo completely transformed the Indian bus industry. Wish they release the new variant in The US. The new variant is super beautiful and amazing
I’m a big guy and find the drivers area spacious and ergonomic the low dash line is similar to that of a VanHool all the buttons and controls are simply laid out. The low sitting position away from the passengers like the Prevost is a plus. The safety features like the steel bar up front the ESP and hill assist is great. The I shift is tough to learn at first but really fun on the open road.
I drive the 9700 in the uk, with ISHIFT, and I think its absolutely amazing to drive. passengers love it too
Aloha James...
I was told by our mechanics that the 9700 is built on a rolling chassis (B13R) with the upper half of the "skeleton" welded to the bottom half. The company I currently work for operate 10 units (601 - 610).
Btw, congratulations on completing the coast to coast drive on the VanHool TDX25E 👍
Volvo are the most popular make of bus/coach in the world these days.
They have a huge new plant built in Bangalore, India.
Many bus/coach drivers you talk to in the UK love to drive a Volvo compared to other makes.
The thing that I have often felt when travelling on board a Volvo bus or coach is when you go up a steep incline (and believe me there's quite a few of these types of roads in the UK) it never really seems like too much, it feels like it takes it all in its stride compared to others.
Volvo just seems to have very good standards, what they do they do very, very well.
Volvo 9700 is based on Volvo Carrus Star 502 and 602. Carrus Star 502 was 2 axle and 602 was again a 3 axle. There were 3 different chassis: B7R, B10M and B12M. B7R and B12M/B12B were the newer ones having a Euro 3 engine. B10M again had Euro 1 and Euro 2 emission engines. Carrus Oy also made a Citybuses, for example really popular bodywork here in Finland: Carrus City L - they were absolutely beasts. Oh yes and also newer one: Volvo 8700 - which you can still see in streets of Helsinki and they are really nice to drive. :)
I have a friend who owns 2 9700's and told me they ride like a Prevost bus. He perfers the 9700 over the CX45. Both 9700's are in service for Flixbus, between D.C. and NYC
I really like the volvo powertrain, including the ishift. I think a lot of owners and operators stick to the allison over the ishift when it comes to a prevost or volvo, because of their experiences with the ZF. They hear "12 speed" and want to run.
I-Shift is the only automated transmission I actually enjoy
@jfsa380 I've only ran the i-Shift, or rather the Mack counterpart being the M-Drive, and the Detroit DT12 in trucking applications. I'm sure the basic operation is fairly transferable. They are miles ahead of both Eaton and Allison, and I don't see why you can't be doing 10+ mpg in a coach setup with them
The volvo 9700 is one of favorite bus to drive in my company in Hawaii. The company I drive for part time called Polynesia Adventure tour or polyad most of the fleet are volvo there just fun to drive
Here in Mexico Volvo 9700 buses are so common, that almost every mexican had traveled at least once in their lives in one of them.
The new 9800 was created here with a DD version, then the design was exported to Europe as 9700/9900, and to India as 9600 a few days ago
And NOT just Mexican citizens!. Hola from Rockhampton, Australia. Services from Monterrey to Laredo, Texas (connections to San Antonio or Corpus Christi), Monterrey to Tampico, Tampico to CDMX between 2008-2022 (5 holidays in Mexico) have been my bus adventures there. Autobuses Americanos, Greyhound, Grupo Senda, ADO. Salud amigo🍹
I think Volvo motorcoaches would be a great addition to the US bus market, I'd definitely ride it! 🚌❤️💯
I'm off to the Australasia Bus and Coach Expo next week - will be doing some filming while I'm there! Scania, Volvo, MAN, Mercedes-Benz and more to come - including Irizar bodies.... so stay tuned!
Volvo Cars and Volvo AB, the Swedish company that makes trucks, buses, and heavy construction equipment are now separate companies. Volvo sold its car division to Ford in 1997. After a number of years Ford sold Volvo cars to a Chinese car manufacturer Geeley in 2010. Volvo Cars is still headquartered in Sweden though.
Yeah, Volvo, Saab, Fiat, Rolls Royce, and now Daimler are independent of their car brands.
@@straightpipediesel ironically SAAB auto doesn't really exist now. SAAB AB took away the rights to the name and logo a few years after a Chinese company bought Saab auto. It's now called NEVS.
I drive a 9700 on my regional transit route. We currently have 8 in our fleet (4-2019 6speeds, 4-2009 12speeds)
10.41 - 10.54 I drove for this bus company from 1998 till 2006. I'm still driving buses, just for another company. Love from Norway. Stay safe!
I didn't start driving a Prevost until I joined my current company about a month ago, and we don't operate any Volvo 9700s.
As a larger driver, I can say the extra movement of the steering wheel doesn't truly compensate for the lack of movement in the driver's seat.
The Van Hool C model that we run are rather uncomfortable. Even after moving the steering wheel as far away from me as possible, I find it still too close to my torso, or it obstructs other controls and the instrument cluster. I would think the Volvo 9700 would be similar.
With the Van Hool, I even had smaller framed customers complain about how tight the seating is. I wonder how that would be on the Volvo.
Personally, I think I would stick to the Prevost H3-45 and the MCI J4500.
Thank you for another great and informative video James.
Volvo and Scania motor coaches are extremely common in New Zealand.
I have spent countless hours riding Volvo 9700s and I find them very
comfortable while offering a smooth ride.
P.S. I spied a Van Hool motor coach ferrying Dignitaries and VIPs to Westminster
Abbey for the late Queen Elizabeth II funeral in London.
The city of Philadelphia had ordered a few of the articulated Volvo City transit buses in the 80s they were forward control six-cylinder with not enough power. Which is one of the reasons they did not order anymore. And on the 9700 that long overhang on the front, is where the batteries are located. A lot of times drivers will get hung up leaving uneven parking lots.
Thanks for the video. About the front overhang, I believe it's about what I mentioned months ago. They usually manufacture bus chassis with long front overhangs in Europe to provide the best possible turning circle. Of course, with a 52º or 53º degree steering angle (for coach buses can go up to 58º). Now it's about 2760mm on average, but if the bus has a length close to 15 meters, the front overhang can be over 3000 mm. For city buses, it's even longer.
One interesting thing. Even though most (if not every) bus manufacturer, when it's about the entrance door, typically make a swinging door to the outside (except for Brasil where they make car-style doors and the bus driver has his own door like the old buses). But Volvo, until today, still makes swings to the inside doors. That's pretty individual. I find it cool.
They are well known all around the world, but as for sales, I would say they had better days. Especially if we look back at the 80s. I say it from what I see. In Portugal, it became hard to find a Volvo Bus (City or Coach bus). Here in Berlin, only a Volvo (7900 if I'm right) B7R from 2011-2012 (when it's for train replacement services). It's said because they have engines that last forever. To me, the more different brands we see rolling, the better, the cooler. In my hometown, the company SMTCB (Serviços Municipalizados dos Transportes Colectivos do Barreiro) still has the Volvo B10R-5639 with Camo UR83 Body frame. The only direct reason why it doesn't roll is because of European Environment regulations. But if it gets sustainable fuels, it can go out as an occasional classic event (which is what Carris or C.C.F.L. does every year with their Volvo B59 and the famous VOITH two long gears).
Hey thanks
This was a great read.
@@MotorcoachWorld Thanks. Always great to share perspectives and what I saw during these years.
As a bus driver in the UK, I have never seen a forward overhang of 2.7m let alone 3m, unless maybe you include the length the mirrors also stick out. I have seen such overhangs to the rear, but never the front, any idea which busses have such a large frontal overhang?
@@ohnolookwho241 Well the information, I got them from the manufacturers. It's what they have on their websites. For example, the first O350 Citaro states around 2,70 m, but the C2 has around 2,8. There are actually some draws on the internet (with much more info for the first Citaro Edition). The MAN has been 2,75m and I find it surprising that the new Intercity LE has a 2,84m (I don't know why). The 7900 states 2704mm as the front overhang and 3435mm as the rear overhang. It's in a pdf file from 2015. I never count the mirrors.
Now, if you ask me, did I measure any of them directly, no, I didn't. It's only the information I found on their sites (and some draws on the internet). From what they have, they count from the center of the front wheel to the very beginning of the front bumper.
Just did my VF for a brand new Volvo 9700 DD here is Scotland today! Lovely bus to drive, our fleet are all getting the camera and screen system so no wing mirrors.
I'd be interested coming to the annual bus show. Not guaranteeing it'll be anytime soon. It won't be this year but hopefully some other year down the road.
The one I rode in was very smooth, and there’s nothing to hate about the arching passenger windows.
Good one James,from a transit bus perspective,I drove the 1997 Nova lfs with zf transmission,was a solid bus,drove heavy with a good solid feel in winter and now driving 2019-2021 Nova and body wise they do not seem that different and like you mentioned they seem to put front wheels farther back than New Flyer and Orion buses,Volvo making headway in North America with tractor trailer,coach and city transit buses.
I've always wanted to try driving a Nova bus just once. I really want to see how it feels to turn something with the front wheels so far back!
Great videos. Your knowledge on buses is amazing.
Thanks man! Appreciate the comment
For my opinion the best model that volvo has ever released is the 9800 From Mexico. It is one hella of a bus, you should definitely check it out👍🏽
Nice bus sir james,volvo is alot of future's new subcriber from phillipines,keep safe always sir james.
Just catching up to this video now, wow what a good review of Volvo buses particularly in the North American market!
All my childhood memories with buses involve my local operator which had one of the largest Volvo B10M fleet in Sydney, Australia. Lookup Westbus
I'm just here for Prevost. Volvo makes great trucks though. ✌🏾
The 9700HD 15m with dynamic steering is the one I love, but driving the 9700 made by Carrus is so nice, the ergonomics for the driver is the best.
Where I work we have had about 15 9700s, S, H, HD and "brucks".
About the driver's space, when you order a bus from Carrus you can decide how much driver space you want but that will ofc push the first passenger row back.
There are three different sizes for the driver, the smallest one on the video is too small for me at 1.77m because I have the seat furthest back, the mid size is okay for me but the largest one is ofc the best, I dont reach the pedals if the seat is furthest back in that one.
We have that on our longest buses at 15m where you dont loose that much passenger space.
I've never driven the busses but I'm very familiar with the Volvo truck
So many companies in the UK owe their success in the 90s and 2000s to the B10m. They were bulletproof and I would trust them to take me anywhere.
My allocated coach used to be a 2001 B10m Plaxton Paragon with 6 speed manual which only ever let me down once with a clogged injector. It was fixed and back on the road within an hour.
I still drive Volvos daily but they are B11RT Plaxton Elite i Megabuses. Not quite as reliable but from a drivers point of view they are a fantastic piece of design with all the passengers sitting on the upper deck and the lower deck only has the driver, toilet and lots of luggage space.
I’ve only ever driven a 9700 once on a trip from England to the French Alps, it’s did the job but was nothing particularly special in my opinion.
GoBus in Ireland have a fleet of mostly Volvo 9700s - nice vehicle actually. They seem to have those automated manuals with about 2 second timings between shifts, notice it when pulling out from a toll booth, but they've good power delivery, are fairly quiet and for passengers seem to be pretty comfortable.
A few Volvo coaches, over the years, assembled in Australia by the Grenda family called Volgren™. They gave some of their wealth to their employees, to much political and social acclaim, but it didn't extend to employees of companies acquired by the Parent company. So, I missed out!. There is a common term of endearment amongst bus drivers Down Under: "Carry on Operator!."
My company has quite a few ‘19 Volvo 9700s. I refer to them as a poor man’s Prevost. It’s set up like an H3-45 but isn’t as refined. Hard to work on too, along with being too difficult for drivers to do daily maintenance (add coolant especially-that door is 8 feet in the air).
On the flip side, I do like the way they drive-very smooth, lots of power. But there isn’t really room for the driver.
Hi James! Another excellent video, I drove a Volvo B10m artic city bus in my early days of driving, very solid old girl, but at the end of its service life! Afterwards, it was mostly M.A.N's and Scanias! When I moved to Motorcoach driving, it was mostly Dennings and Scanias, and toward the end of my driving career, Chinese made King Longs!
I appreciate the video. I start a new gig in a couple of weeks driving one of these as an Amtrak connector so it's nice to get a look at the drivers area ahead of time.
I almost clicked off when I saw Scotty Kilmer. LOL
Great video, James. Always informative.
Thanks David. I take it you are not a fan of Scotty's channel?
@@MotorcoachWorld Scotty lives off of clickbait. I understand it gets clicks and views, I'm just not a fan of his method or style.
Um James, the front fascia was used by Santarosa Motorworks in the philippines as the NV620 for the Nissan Diesel bus and for the Volvo buses, the B10m asterope used in Japan but imported here in the philippines for tourists just look on Flickr. and we didn't have Volvo buses until 2016 when Autodelta the Philippine distributor and bus body maker launched the B7RLE (B7R discontinued in 2019) and Del Monte Motor Works began making the DM16 series 2 unlike the Autodelta design based on the gulin daewoo design,
Del Monte went used the same 2017 Volvo FH headlamps and King long rear fascia
Alot of models they have the Thaco B8R that Davao metro shuttle and B11R that victory liner have and almazora have that chassis for some reason thanks James.
Volvo has some awesome engines (very reliable), I would prefer the I shift over the Allision. I can really relate to the seating for driver, my MCI coach is similar to the Volvo. Being a long legged fellow would really really like the seat to go back further. Oh great video as always!
Volvere also means "ill return" in spanish. interesting marketing for a brand, itll get you there and back lol
Can you make a video about the driver obstructions including the A pillars and lower mounted mirrors causing transit or motorcoach pedestrian knock downs...I feel the upper mounted mirrors are safer!
The upper mirrors are good having mirrors in the arms to see blind spots and the front of the bus. However the driver's shade will block certain parts of the flat mirror and they shake quite a bit in the wind.
@@danadimes8184 i noticed...plus i was thinking about wind vibration. But if the lowered mirrors are a best option to reduce that effect...then i believe the mirrors should be raised so that the mirror is not creating a blindspot for a front facing 180 degree view...its an issue the city transit of philly has been having for years.
Didn't expect a quick cameo from Scotty here😀
Am glad you were able to make a video about the volvo 9700, am always into the bus and what’s the pros and cons.
Peak Volvo was the euro 3 B12M engine with egs transmission on a Carrus build.
Bring back the mid engines
I loved Volvo after they broke away from White Trucks and became a stand-alone company instead of White/Volvo trucks. I have not driven a Volvo 9700 but if they are as great as their trucks, they should be great!
Wonder if we will ever go for 15m buses. If they can be run in Europe, why not here with our wider roads.
That's a great looking bus I think I bet Peoria charter would love to have a few I hope you guys get that chance some day soon and you do some awesome research and explaining it too never knew the Volvo history thanks for making this video
Very interesting and informative as usual plus good humor is always great. I remember when these 9700’s first came over, they didn’t have the ALLISON available yet. So it’s good that they finally added to the option list. Time will tell tell if they continue to get over but I don’t see too many around here in SE Wisconsin. But it really complements the PREVOST line as a lower cost so called standard model.
As a swedish bus driver i love our 15 meters Volvo 9700. I am pretty big and i fit really good behind the wheel. Awesome bus. But i mainly like Scanias even better.
I wish we had 15m busses. US regulations limit bus length to 45 feet or 13.8m.
Thank you for covering this brother!
I have two 9700s at our small college and I really like them over previous motor coaches we have owned. Once you get used to the I-shift transmission myself, my drivers and our students really love these buses. I have heard no complaints over the lack room at the drivers station. They have lots of power and get better fuel mileage then the others we have owned. The biggest difference in the used bus market with Volvos vice MCI, Prevost or VanHool being is price. When all things such as age, mileage and condition are equal the Volvo will be considerably less expensive to purchase. Beings that Volvo owns/uses Prevost for parts and tech support services in my opinion they are second to none.
Here in NSW Australia I own and operate a 1989 Volvo B10M with Pressed Metal Corporation “PMC” Sydney “Metro 90” body licensed to carry 73 (57 seated 16 standing). It’s got a THD101GC 9.6 litre inline 6 horizontally mounted mid mount turbo diesel coupled to a ZF 4HP500 4 speed auto, It’s currently sitting on 1,679,471km Yeap 1.6 million kilometres on it’s original motor. I use it as a custom charter and party bus and absolutely love it with ample room in the drivers area, Even at 33 years old and did 30 years as a route bus in Sydney. I’d take it any day over some of the other new options on the market today like Yutong and BCI. The Sydney Bus and Coach Expo is also coming up on the 5th and 6th of October, I’m hoping to grab some footage of it this year.
So interesting! Thanks James for coming up with so many good ideas.
Don't forget, Volvo also makes medium and heavy duty trucks in Europe and North America. Their North American operation was originally General Motors truck division. And over 20 years ago Volvo purchased Mack truck. That's where that 12 speed transmission comes from. As well as the 13 L engine.
I’ve driven a 2015 Volvo 9700 from the year 2015 when we first purchased it until the pandemic shutdown…Through all different parts of the United States terrain…It was my Diamond Tours bus…Multiple college tours…Hence, all over…And I thought that it was a great driving bus…Yes, the extra foot from the steer axle to the nose of the coach…Was actually better when turning at a shorter angle…So, for operation functionality…It is actually a plus and nothing negative…The main pain comes from the toilet upkeep…But the design is brilliant, also…Cause it flushes like a toilet at home…So, the toilet system has a freshwater holding tank that needs to be filled…And you will have to use a water supply that has water pressure to push the water through its quick connects…The quick connections are a male quick connect on the end of the hose and a female at the fresh water tank…Easy if you are at the shop or are able to use a water spicket at a travel center lane, or something similar…But…Sometimes when you are out for a week or so…It is best to carry a 15ft. of water hose with you…Keep a water key with you…And some times at a hotel you can position the coach to a water spicket at the side of the hotel…Connect your 15ft. water hose and use the water keys to turn on the water…If a operation like that is not doable…Then I used to also bring a Wayne transfer pump…Set that all up and use the 110v outlet from the coach bus by looming an extension cord through one of the emergency opening windows…Then I would fill the plastic trash can container from inside of the coach with water from some where (hotel room, or other source) and dip the other end of the Wayne transfer pump in there…And let it fill up…It usually take two 5 gallon buckets to fill the fresh water…But it can have its moments where a driver will have to do a little extra more to get the coach bus ready for travel is all…Also, when the temperature goes below 32°F…Yup…It is best to just drain the whole tank…But fill it back up before head back on the highway…I wouldn’t let that daunt you into getting behind one and taking it on a 4 to 5 day trip…Best of Wishes to you out there…
I think the Volvo is a beautiful bus and I was considering purchasing one. I consulted with another bus nut and He convinced me to not buy one. He said and I quote "they are considered a throw away bus in Europe"!
I like the extra wipers. I don't like America's obsession with split windshields. Those gigantic overlapping wipers are so hot! 🔥
Split windshield are cheaper to repair. It's probably because US highways aren't as durable as EUR roads..
The B10M on a Vanhool body were the best coaches i ever owned, the 9700 is a close 2nd. I say as anyone could drive a B10 and they never broke down, however the 9700 needs a bit more care and the complex electronics can be an issue.
Love your videos, great job you are doing
Thank you so much Elizabeth! Appreciate the comment.
Very informative.
Excellent video you've done your homework. You should get an a+ keep up the great work
One thing I don't like is the mirrors. The company I work for already have 2 damaged Volvos bc they don't come with wide view mirrors and drivers hit the middle of the bus at the luggage compartment.
Great video as usual Great comments on the so called sturdy car with no roof lol
Very interesting bus I like it
Thank you James, for the shout out! I remember my biological dad having an old Volvo station wagon, always ran good and perfect for his carrying his surfboard!
Hey Mike. No worries man. Sorry it took so long. Appreciate the comment! Haha your dad sounds like a really cool guy. A Volvo and his surf boards. Do you surf too?
Ohh goodness no, I can't surf! Lol I can barely water ski but, I enjoy that tho Lol 🤣 🤣
Interresting facts about the bolted seats and bad legroom for the driver. I have a 1984 Volvo B10M with Deltaplan 200 body. The B10M is the predecessor of the 9700 and Deltaplan is the Finish bodybuilder that became Carrus. So maybe you could call my old buss the 9700´s grandfather. The thing is that my old bus has very good legroom behind the wheel AND adjustable passenger seats (on rails).
And for those who may wonder. SKF stands for "Svenska Kullagerfabriken" which in English means " (the) Swedish Ballbearing Factory". And "ÖV4" that the old Volvo was called stands for "Öppen Vagn 4" which in English is "Open Wagon 4".
About the weather in Sweden. In the north there is of course very cold in the winter sometimes. But in Gothenburg (where Volvo and I come from) It´s more like New York (I think). Warm summers and rare occasions of snow in the winter.
Toured on a b1o if I remember correctly in NZ in 86 it was right hand drive with body shape
Volvo 4 Life!
You forgot about the new volvo 9700 double decker here in Europe with seating up to 90 (correct me if I'm wrong on the seating)
Same bus is available in India as 9400 from 12meter to 15 meter also available in sleeper version
Volvo makes semi-trucks, dump trucks, and milk/whey tanker trucks too.
Never driven the 9700 but have driven many B10Ms and B12s and B11R, mainly with Joncheere and Plaxton bodies, I'm a big guy and struggle with volvos with plaxton bodies as the cab area is tiny. With the exception of the Mercedes Powershift gearbox that I normally drive the IShift is a great transmission.
Hi, I like your program, I'm an Airline transport pilot and Professional bus driver. why we don't see Scania Buses in USA, and why we don't use the door that separate passengers and driver cockpit? in some country's the luxury motor coach have a door between driver an passengers
05:35 Alexander PS, learned to drive and passed my test in one of these.
The bruck might be option for the music tour bus alot time there is a truck or tactor trailer that travels with band bus for equement trans port
Signature Operates Them!
Yeah, we have a Volvo 9700 at our Limo company... I'm not fond of driving it I rather have a Prevost, but the Volvo does have some good qualities all the same
Probably one of the only europe style buses in america
I’m training on one now, not a huge fan of the driver area even with the steering wheel. If you are a certain height and waist size; it’s very easy to smash a finger between the dashboard and steering wheel. That being said, I like it in every other sense.
Too many sensors, as they age more things go wrong! I really liked the fresh water closet but you better have a way to connect the water source up. Unlike our VanHool where you can dump a bucket of water on the topside. Nice short wheelbase which gives you a great turning radius. Watch that tail swing though! Handles nice but I prefer an older VanHool (2010) for its ride and room for passengers and cargo. There's enough room for pole vault poles, the bus has no ADA lift.
Yeah…I’m afraid I disagree with the Prevost rep. I drive a Volvo 9700 for the company I work for and I can tell you the adjustable steering wheel is NOT a substitute for space. I’m an average size person in height and weight, the driver area is very restrictive…no matter how I adjust seat or steering wheel. Other than that the drivability is superb.
Great insight. Thanks for your comment.
🏁
Zazur rollerblading ⛸️🛼
Hey James what's going on buddy talked to you a little while ago we bought that red J model from Peoria wondering if you could do a video on the best coach ever created the mc9!! Love your content
I would like to see the 9900 Volvo in canada or US.
All right james...
I got a video idea
El dorado bus manufacterer..
Who are they
Have people seen them and not known it
When did you first see them
Regarding the limited drivers seat area space, it’s all good and well for the steering wheel to go this way and that way and every other way, but did you notice where the guys’ knees were while he was moving the steering wheel column around? That’s right - his knees were almost touching the dashboard. My opinion: it’s pointless having a steering wheel you can contort into all sorts of positions if your legs and knees are going to be forced into an uncomfortable position because you can’t put your seat back any further. Makes for an uncomfortable and tiring drive for the driver. Just my two cents.
This is a general question. Why do motor coach tires have speed ratings better suited to inner city transit busses and dump trucks? I was looking over Prevost and MCI motorcoachs and saw the tire speed ratings on the delivered motor coache tires was typically just an "L" for 75 mph. Looking at tires for these motor coaches the highest speed rating I saw was "M" for 81 mph. On cars you want the speed rating of the tires to be considerably above where you might drive in traffic.
In 1977 when by high school band was doing a trip from N.Va. to Long Island NY I remember watching out the from windshield of the bus and the driver was hold it at 80 mph. He was telling me you have to watch for the police on the over crossing bridges. At the time the national speed limit was 55 mph. When taking to other people at college and girl was saying how they'd done a charter trip to Florida from WV with her mother following along and her mother was keeping up with the busses and they were doing 80 mph. So my point is that these busses on charter service really move and that was back in the days of a national 55 mph speed limit! Now in the midwest you can frequently get away with 85 mph on a 70 mph highway. So why don't highway motor coach tires have a lot more margin between their speed rating and where the speeds the busses are going to see in their service life?
Like your videos. I used to think it might fun to tour the use in a great sports car. That has largely disappeared now, but I am starting toy around with the idea of touring the US driving and largely staying in a motor coach. The MCI J4500 post 2015 has independent front suspension, a Cummins engine (Detroit actually might be a bit better fuel economy/power) and disk brakes.