Volvo B7RLE

Volvo B7RLE
SBS Transit Volvo B7RLE
SBS Transit Volvo B7RLE
Manufacturer Volvo Buses
Bodywork Soon Chow
Years in operation 2007 – Present
Operators SBS Transit
Technical Data
Length 12 metre
Engine Volvo D7E290 EC06
Transmission ZF Ecomat 6HP 554N
Accessibility Low Entry & Wheelchair-accessible
Emission Standard Euro IV (SCR)

The Volvo B7RLE is a low-entry, single-deck city bus built by Volvo Buses. Commonly referred to as the “B7R”, it is the successor of the Volvo B10BLE and built in a similar way to the existing B7L and B7R chassis.

Currently, Singapore’s major bus operator, SBS Transit, has a sole B7RLE demonstrator unit (SBS8030L) in its fleet. Sentosa Development Corporation also operates a small fleet of Volvo B7RLEs for internal shuttle bus services, which were retired in 2019.

The coach version of the chassis, the Volvo B7R, is used by various private bus companies.

Technical Data:

The Volvo B7RLE is a combination of the B7L and B7R chassis with improved performance and a successor of the Volvo B10BLE chassis. Originally equipped with a 7-liter Euro 3 engine, Euro 4 and 5 options were later introduced to fulfil emission standards with the use of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), hence requiring the use of diesel exhaust fluid like AdBlue.


Demonstrator Unit:

In 2007, SBS Transit received a new single-deck wheelchair-accessible demonstrator bus from Volvo, at a time when a large number of single-deck orders were being considered. Registered on 18 Dec 2007, the bus was given the registration of SBS8030L.

Basic Technical Specifications
Engine Volvo D7E290 EC06, 7148cc
Power rating of 290 hp (213 kW) @ 2200 rpm
Torque rating of 1200 Nm @ 1050 – 1650 rpm
Emission Standard Euro IV compliant
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, hence requiring the use of diesel exhaust fluid like AdBlue
Transmission ZF Ecomat 6HP 554N gearbox, six-speed automatic
Bodywork Soon Chow Bodywork
Bodywork supplied and assembled locally by Soon Chow Workshop Pte Ltd.
EDS CoolAir Electronic Display Signages (EDS)
Orange LED matrix design.
Air-conditioning Denso LD8u roof-mounted air-conditioning unit

The Volvo B7RLE is powered by the Euro IV-compliant Volvo D7E290 engine which relied on Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, the first bus in SBS Transit’s fleet to do so. Hence, it required the use of diesel exhaust fluids.

The bus bodywork was supplied by local bus bodybuilder Soon Chow Workshop Pte Ltd, which had constructed several batches of transit buses for SBS and SBST in the past. The interior of the bus is unique in several aspects – the use of Vogelsitze Pino seats, and the rear section has a conference-style round seating rather than the standard 5-seating forward-facing bench. It was also the first bus to feature two wheel arch seats at the front section of the bus, and remained so only until the arrival of the Scania K230UB Euro Vs. The low-entry bus is wheelchair-accessible, with a manual ramp at the exit door and two wheelchair bays.

Despite the promising design and capabilities of the bus, SBS Transit eventually chose the Scania K230UB over the Volvo B7RLE for its large-scale fleet renewal programme. However, SBST made a decision to procure the bus rather than returning it to Volvo, and it continues to remain in SBS Transit’s fleet today.

At launch, the bus was first allocated to Soon Lee Depot and permanently allocated to Service 174/174e for its first few years. In March 2016, it was redeployed to Ang Mo Kio Depot. After the full transition of the bus industry to the GCM, SBS8030L was converted into a Training Bus based at Hougang Depot, as with other non-standard bus models.

The bus has a licensed carrying capacity of 79 passengers, comprising 28 seated and 51 standing passengers.


SBS8030L Specification sheet
For more specifications, visit sgwiki.


Gallery:

Sentosa:


External Links and References:

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7 thoughts on “Volvo B7RLE

  • 2 July 2022 at 2:06 PM
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    According to sgwiki, SBS transit, Volvo B7RLE 8030L alongside the Scania Demo, SBS8033D is now awaiting de registration

    Reply
  • 1 March 2022 at 3:03 PM
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    Are you sure that the B7RLE is still on service?
    Or has it been used for Sentosa Bus Services?

    Reply
    • 11 July 2022 at 9:43 AM
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      Its awaiting deregistration along with SBS8033D.

      Reply
  • 18 February 2021 at 3:46 PM
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    Volvo B7RLE is parked at AMK deport look like lay off not in used. can see it at the open fan.

    Reply
  • 7 February 2021 at 11:33 AM
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    Do they still have this?

    Reply
  • 26 February 2020 at 1:46 PM
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    SBST should buy this with rear window and standardise rear seats rather than K230UB

    Reply
    • 7 November 2020 at 8:30 PM
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      How to? Now SBST no longer in charge of procuring such buses, LTA does that nowadays. But now we are in 2020s decade, K230UB may be retiring in 2024 – 2027.

      Reply

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