Volvo Olympians

NWFB purchased 62 Volvo Olympians from former CMB, a major bus operator on Hong Kong Island. These buses can be divided into three batches.

The first batch (VA1-30) were the earliest Volvo Olympians in CMB. They are powered by Cummins LT10 engines and ZF 4HP500 transmissions. They have been refurbished in 2001, and they are mainly used on Western District routes.

The second batch (VA31-50) are, similarly, powered by Cummins LT10 engines and ZF 4HP500 transmissions. Their appearance is quite similar to the first batch, but newer Nippodenso air-conditioning units have been used. NWFB removed some of their lower-deck seats in 2000, and in 2001, they have all been refurbished into NWFB specifications. In fact, they are the last double-deckers refurbished in NWFB, and all of them are now equipped with Hanover electronic route displays.

The third batch (VA51-64) is the final variant of air-conditioned double deckers in CMB which were first registered in 1998. Their appearance is generally the same as the ones of the same period of time in KMB. 12 of them were sold to NWFB, but the rest of two (VA62 and 64) were retained by CMB until 2001, and they were sold to Citybus by then. For the ones in NWFB, they have all been refurbished in 2000. Their Trend-Tex 2+2 seats were retained, but the colour of everything changed to NWFB's colourisation. Besides, Hanover electronic route displays have been installed on these buses.

2 Volvo Olympians with Plaxton body, were further purchased from HIACL and received fleet numbers of VA65 and 66. They have similar configurations when compared to the Citybus ones. Now, they have also been refurbished.

This page contains photographs of NWFB Volvo Olympians in service. More photographs will be added in the future.

	VA3 This photo is really essential with black and yellow NWFB standard route displays and black and white CMB destination panel display. Behind: VA39. Date: 22/09/2001
	VA4 VA4 looks marvellous after having its bodysides repainted. Date: 30/12/2002
	Offside of VA4. Note the Leyland logo on the wheel cap of the middle axle. Date: 30/12/2002
	VA12 Date: 30/06/2003
	VA18 Date: 30/06/2003
	VA21 Although this bus' interior has been refurbished into NWFB standard, the outlook of the bus has not been repainted and it looks very dirty. Date: 05/08/2001
	VA37 This advertisement has been posted on this bus for a long period of time, and I took its photo two days after its installation of Hanover electronic route displays. Date: 14/04/2002
	VA38 Some of the VAs from the second batch (VA31-50) are usually seen on route 905. Date: 22/09/2001
	Another photo of VA38, showing that the route display on the left has not been moved downwards yet; it is still in the original position, which is of a very old design. Date: 22/09/2001
	VA39 Unlike some other Volvo Olympians from the same batch, VA39 has not been installed with Hanover route display boards yet, but together with the change of its license number from GV7288 to KL6039, new Hanover electronic destination and route displays have been installed. Date: 22/09/2001
	VA48 Hanover electronic route displays have been installed, but the font displayed on it is quite strange. Date: 14/04/2002
	New LED rear headlights have been installed after refurbishment. Date: 14/04/2002
	VA56 Recently the last batch of Volvo Olympians (VA51-61 and 63) often appear on routes of the Western District. Date: 14/04/2002
	VA58 VA58 has just undergone the installation of Hanover electronic destination displays. Date: 14/04/2002
	With the installation of the electronic desination displays, the sideboards have been repainted. Date: 14/04/2002
	VA63 VA63 has just been repainted, and it looks extremely beautiful. Date: 14/04/2002
	VA65 VA65 is a Plaxton-bodied Volvo Olympian purchased from HIACL. After refurbishment, electronic destination displays have been installed. Date: 19/01/2002
	VA66 VA66 rarely appears on route 905. Date: 14/04/2002