Volvo Buses

Australia

Latrobe Valley Bus Lines purchases one of the first Euro 6 buses in Australia.

(September 2015) – In an Australian industry first, Latrobe Valley Bus Lines has recently taken delivery of the new Volvo B8RLE, a Euro 6 rated, low-entry city bus designed with a minimal environmental footprint in mind.
Latrobe Valley Bus Lines purchases one of the first Euro 6 buses in Australia.

Anna Tyben, General Manager of Latrobe Valley Bus Lines, says that the purchase of the Volvo B8RLE is just another indication of the Victorian operator’s 50-year commitment to its community’s environment.
   
“The Latrobe Valley is home not only to a thriving community, but also a number of coal mines that release a lot of emissions into the air. One of our top priorities is running the most environmentally efficient buses possible to try and offset what gets released from the local coal mines.
   
“The purchase of this bus will go a long way in keeping our community moving while keeping emissions as low as possible,” Anna said.
   
Anna and the team were so enthused to take delivery of the bus that they recently hosted a launch event to show to the community, local business people and dignitaries the steps they’re taking to minimise pollution.
   
In attendance at the launch was Harriett Shing, the Upper House Victorian member for Eastern Victoria, Russell Northe, the Victorian member for Morwell, Sean Copeland General Manager at Volvo Bus Australia and many more local businesspeople.

“This launch was about more than just sharing the latest and greatest addition to our fleet. The event was also about announcing that we would be partnering with Volvo on an ongoing basis to deliver key emissions metrics back to them that would assist their understanding of the Volvo B8RLE’s performance in Australian conditions,” Anna said.

The Volvo B8RLE is one of the 15 Volvos in Latrobe Valley Bus Lines’ fleet of 92 buses and coaches. It combines an 8-litre Volvo D8K with Volvo’s proprietary I-Shift 12-speed gearbox to maximise fuel efficiency and ensure its adherence to the Euro 6 rating.

“The measures we have been sending back to Volvo so far on the B8RLE are absolutely outstanding,” Anna said.

The results of the tests so far (in comparison to a Euro-5 rated Volvo):
   
- Emissions of nitrogen oxide are reduced by 70%
- Particulates filter exhaust fumes are reduced by half
- Hydro carbonates are reduced by 95%
- Carbon monoxide reduced by 89%

In the years Latrobe Valley Bus Lines has serviced the local community, it has covered school bus and suburban routes and holds a number of government contracts. They have put the Volvo B8RLE to work on their busy timetabled route service.

“The remarkable performance of this vehicle doesn’t end with its emissions, or lack thereof. We’ve had fantastic feedback from our drivers and passengers who absolutely love it. It’s a quiet, comfortable vehicle that’s easy to drive,” Anna said.

“We’re excited to be working alongside Volvo on this project and look forward to continuing our working relationship long into the future.”

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For more information contact:
Christina Cortese
Marketing & Sales Coordinator
(02) 8713 8266
Christina.cortese@volvo.com