12-metre Volvo Olympians
Kowloon Motor Bus began to introduce 12-metre Volvo Olympians in 1994. In fact, it is the first
12m air-conditioned bus in the fleet and the first 12m bus chassis introduced after 1986.
The first batch, 3AV1-50, consists of 50 buses. This is the only batch buses with 3+2 seatings.
They are equipped with Volvo TD102KF engines and ZF 4HP500 gearboxes, which allowed the buses
to perform well on highways.
Starting from the second batch (3AV51-120) KMB made the decision to import new buses with 2+2
seatings only. These buses are again equipped with TD102KF engines, but this time the gearboxes
have changed to Voith D863. Also, new air-conditioners have been introduced from this time.
The third batch, 3AV121-170, have generally the same mechanical specifications to the second
batch, but the body design is a little bit different.
The fourth batch, 3AV171-338, were introduced in 1997. They look very similar to the previous
batch, but the mechanical specification is completely different. They are actually equipped with
D10A engines and ZF4HP500 gearboxes.
THe fifth batch, 3AV339-348, were exactly the same as the fourth. However they are second-hand
vehicles from Long Win Bus. As LWB found the overestimation of passenger capacity on Lantau and
the introduction of newer Dennis Tridents, these buses, made in 1997, returned to KMB in 1999.
| 3AV115(left) and 3BL26(right)
Both buses are of the same body make and same chassis type. This is a very valuable photo
because 3BL26 is going to be withdrawn very soon.
Date: 26/08/2001
|
| 3AV121
The position where diesel is put in has been moved backward, but the original one has not
been removed yet.
Date: 26/08/2001
|
| 3AV157
Date: 28/07/2001
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| 3AV159
Date: 26/08/2001
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| 3AV212
3AV212 with a very attractive McDonald's advertisement.
Date: 26/08/2001
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| 3AV246
This advertisement has been for years, and it is going to disappear because HE3840 is going
to be overhauled very soon.
Date: 22/09/2001
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| 3AV252
Many of the 12m Volvo Olympians on the Sheung Tak <=> Kowloon Routes have two pairs of
front headlights, including the pair on the bumper, which is not a standard configuration
among KMB buses.
Date: 26/08/2001
|
| 3AV254
Date: 28/07/2001
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| 3AV271
Date: 28/07/2001
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| 3AV310
This advertisement is now often seen on KMB Volvo Olympians.
Date: 26/08/2001
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| Date: 28/07/2001
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| 3AV329
After a number of years 3AV329 is still in the "Year of Snake" livery, but the rear panel
of the bus had already been placed with a banner on the photo date. In fact, this
should be the very last photo of 3AV329 in the very old horoscope livery, for two weeks
after this date the bus was repainted in a KMB advertisement with Controversion material.
Date: 26/08/2001
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