Volvo Buses
UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND
Two of the new double-deck buses are entering service on the new ‘super-fast’ X40 route, which is thanks to funding aimed at improving bus services across the county from Norfolk County Council earlier this year. This service takes passengers between Holt, the seaside towns of Sheringham and Cromer, and on through Aylsham to Norwich. The third will operate the X44 service which is the main commuter route, taking a longer journey through the aforementioned areas.
Charles Sanders, Director at Sanders Coaches, says: “These new additions will be travelling up to 240 miles a day, so they need to be robust, powerful and reliable. We’ve seen that Volvo can deliver that, and importantly the service we receive is excellent.
“It’s all about the quality of the local agents, the cost and availability of Genuine Volvo Parts, and the relationship that our team has with the local dealer, Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East in Norwich.”
Each of the Volvo B8L double-deck buses is 12m long and powered by the fuel-efficient Euro 6 Volvo D8K engine, which generates up to 350hp and makes hill-climbing virtually effortless, while minimising the environmental impact for passengers and the local areas it operates in. Its well-balanced chassis benefits from a range of intelligent features, including the Electronic Braking System (EBS), Brake Blending, Hill Start Aid, and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
The B8L’s design maximises passenger capacity and comfort, with these bespoke 90-seat vehicles still offering ample space for commuters which significantly reduces congestion on busy routes. The engine installation reduces both heat dissipation into the cabin and interior noise, while USB charging ports create a modern and convenient travel experience, enhancing passenger satisfaction and enabling productivity on the move.
Jason Williams, National Account Manager for the South at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, says: “Sanders Coaches is a real pillar of the community because of its well-established company values, reputation for providing an outstanding service, and for being such a strong employer in the area.
“We have developed a really close relationship with the company over many years, and it’s fantastic to see it expanding to cover new routes. I’m confident these new Volvo B8L double deckers will prove just the ticket.”
Sanders continues: “In the last two years we have already taken delivery of 12 new Volvo buses, which takes our total number of Volvos to more than 50 – this goes to show how confident we are in its vehicles and explains why we’re looking to standardise.
“We have good evidence of the Volvos delivering excellent uptime and superior driver and passenger experience. Knowing that we can hold stock of the most common parts we might need, and get access to anything else quickly, is a huge benefit, plus the team can be easily trained to complete regular maintenance.”
Sanders Coaches was formed in 1975 by Norman and Gladys Sanders and remains 100 per cent family-owned. Brothers Paul and Charles Sanders now own the 85 strong fleet of buses and coaches that transport passengers across Norwich and Norfolk, where the company provides more than 120 jobs to the local community. Each of the vehicles is named after someone either in the family or the local community; these three new additions are named after Charles and Paul’s granddaughters born this year, Erin Daisy Sanders, Phoebe Clark Sanders and Evie Charlie Shade.
Warwick
27 June 2023
For more press information, contact: Andy Kunze, Service Market Director, Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, on phone: +44 (0)7831 268659, or email: andy.kunze@volvo.com. Alternatively, Charlotte Baker, Garnett Keeler PR, on phone: +44 (0)7599 653949, or email: charlotte.baker@garnettkeeler.com.