Volvo B7RLE (Custom CB60 Evo 1)

In June 2002, Hillsbus took delivery of 15 brand new buses. These buses were one of the first buses off the Volvo B7RLE production line, with an Euro 2/3 rated engine and a redesigned Custom Coaches CB60 body.

## Fleet Numbers and Livery

All 15 buses are still in operation today, exclusively at the Hillsbus Northmead Depot. Their fleet numbers are M/O 1476-1479, 8271-8273, 8430, 8431, 8434, 8439, 8453, 8460 and 8461.

All buses were delivered in the Hillsbus Canary Yellow livery, however buses M/O 1476, 1477, 1479, 8271, 8430, 8434, 8439, 8453 and 8460 have been repainted into the Transport for NSW livery.

## Specifications

* These buses have bucket seats, being the last buses ordered by Hillsbus with these seats. The seats are plastic with a thin cushion of fabric on top. Similar seats can be found on Volvo B10MA, Mercedes Benz O405NH and Mercedes Benz 0405 buses.
* The buses have flush fitting windows, providing a good view but being harder to replace if broken. These buses also have tinted windows, however the tinted windows reduce the amount of natural light in the bus. Combined with the old, dim lights of these buses, the interior of these buses appears very dark.
* Like many old buses, these have few stop bells which are very far apart. This means that if you wish to get off, you may have to stand up to press the bell.
* These buses have a 4 speed ZF Ecomat along with Volvo's D7C 7.3 litre engine rated at Euro 2 emission standards and producing 275 brake horsepower.
* Unlike other B7RLEs in the fleet, these buses are diesel only. Newer B7RLEs like the Volvo B7RLE (Volgren Optimus) have AdBlue tanks to meet Euro 5 emission standards.
* These buses have a Thermo King ACU. Sometimes smoke can be seen drifting out of the units.
* These buses have green Mobitec flipdot displays at the front and at the rear. However they do not have any on the side. M/O 8461 is unique as it has orange MobiLED displays.
* These buses have a single double leaf door at the front.
* The exhaust pipe is on the door side, at the top.
* These buses are licensed to carry 72 passengers, 49 seated and 23 standing. They have 2 wheelchair spaces,
* The back seats are of the regular bench seat design, with the side ones being 2 seaters and a 1 seater in the middle. These seats still have the handles.
* The wheelchair seats are cushions. They are comprised of a double seater cushion and a single seater next to it. However they are rusty and may make a squeaking sound when folded.

## Trivia

* Like the Volvo B10MA, these buses have miniature stop lights. When activated, they produce a high pitched sound. 2 double sided lights turn on, displaying the word 'STOPPING'.
* These buses have a very loud indicator noise. When the driver switches on one of the indicators, everyone in the bus can clearly hear it.
* Because of the plastic bucket seats not being graffiti proof, it is common to see graffiti on the seat backs.
* People tend to dislike this bus as it vibrates a lot and the plastic seats give many a sore bottom. For this reason, these buses are normally delegated to low density suburban routes like Hillsbus Route 604.
* M/O 8461 is the only bus in the whole Hillsbus fleet to have orange LED displays. These were used as a test bed for the LED displays on the Volvo B7RLE (Volgren Optimus) as to whether white or orange displays worked better. Currently the LEDs have not been removed or replaced.
* M/O 1476 currently has a panel of its Thermo King ACU missing. This can be clearly seen on the door side.