Lochs Motor Transport of the Isle of Lewis has welcomed a pair of Volvo B8R coaches with MCV Evotor bodywork to its fleet, supplied by Volvo Buses UK and Ireland.
They continue a long relationship between the operator and Volvo that has seen the arrival of many previous coaches and buses from the marque, including earlier Evotors built on the B11R chassis. That which will be furthered in 2026 when Lochs Motor Transport becomes one of the first buyers of the B13R-based UNVI XL model.
Of the two B8R Evotors, one will be used on a service between Stornoway and Ness and the other will be deployed on private hire, school contracts, and to support visiting cruise ships.
Each coach is 12.6m long with 53 seats. Positions have drop-down tables, magazine nets and USB charging points. A centre sunken toilet is also fitted. Power is from the D8K engine at 350bhp coupled to an I-Shift automated manual gearbox.
Managing Director Roddy Macdonald says the business was looking for new coaches that will serve as all-rounders, which is what Volvo adds the B8R Evotor combination delivers.
He describes the new vehicles as workhorses that will spend most of their time on Lewis but are equally suited to travelling by ferry to the mainland. Maintenance will be carried out in-house with the support of Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North and Scotland.
“When you are based on an island like we are, it makes sense to handle most maintenance work yourself, and we have built up our workshop skills accordingly,” Mr Macdonald continues.
“For parts, we can get pretty much anything we need from Volvo on a next-day basis. The local dealership in Inverness is our go-to supplier, but if it does not have something on the shelf, we can usually get it from either of the two Volvo dealer points in Glasgow. Together, they look after us well.”
Volvo Buses UK and Ireland Regional Account Manager Neil Ritchie has thanked the operator for its ongoing business.
“We have built a great relationship with Lochs Motor Transport over many years, so when it approached us about adding a pair of new B8R MCV Evotor coaches to the fleet, we knew they would be perfect,” he says.
“Choosing a new coach is a major investment for any operator – but when you are based on a remote island, it is critical to select a chassis and body combination you can trust without hesitation.”
