First Volvo Olympian in Hong Kong is shown on this page. By the model "53.80", we know that it is a prototype. In fact, it is the world's first air-conditioned Volvo Olympian. Walter Alexander's R-type body is used, which is similar to those of its ancestors. Instead of assembling in KMB's Tuen Mun Depot, which is the normal practice, the body was completely-built-up by Alexander in Falkirk prior to shipment. This bus is a 11-metre 3-axle version, and is powered by a Volvo TD102KF engine with ZF 4HP500 4-speed transmission.
This bus was delivered to KMB in Autumn 1993, but was remained unregistered until 10 January, 1994. The registered mark of the bus is FW 5572. KMB allocated "AV" as the fleet number prefix to this type of bus, and this bus is numbered as AV1.
One of the distinct features of AV1 is the Volvo emblem on the radiator grille, which was once the largest one among those on all the Volvo Olympians in Hong Kong. Sadly, after involving into a serious traffic accident in December 1996, the emblem was broken and no longer be found on the front of the bus. AV1 has subsequently re-entered into service after a more-than-a-half-year repairing work.
| Above: | The photo was taken when the bus was still unregistered and received a white-only livery. (1993/08/07) |
Below: |
AV1 was allocated on Route 68X this day, some days after the repair work. (1997/12/16) |
| Above: | It's not rare that special route 70S receives special buses. AV1 was allocated on the route on the Ching Ming Festival of year 2000. (2000/04/04) |
Below: |
AV1 can normally be seen on Route 6F since the bus is a 'schedulized bus' of the route. (2000/03/04) |
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