West Midlands Volvo B6 R598 YON

1990s WEST MIDLANDS LOW-FLOOR SINGLE-DECKER

In 1995, Volvo introduced a low-floor version of its B6 rear-engined midibus chassis, designated B6LE. At the same time, Wright designed the original Crusader body for both the Volvo B6LE and its main competitor Dennis Dart SLF.

R598 YON was new to Travel Merry Hill (fleet no.598) at Pensnett Garage in May 1998, one of a batch of twenty-three brand new Volvo B6LEs and the first low-floor easy-access buses for this subsidiary of Travel West Midlands. It was originally green, white and blue, but was painted into standard red, white and blue soon after Travel Merry Hill was absorbed into the main Travel West Midlands fleet in 2001, remaining at Pensnett. In January 2013, it was transferred to Wolverhampton's Park Lane Garage, where it spent its last two and a half years in service. It was withdrawn in June 2015 after expiry of its MOT.

Preservation

R598 YON was acquired for preservation by Nick Marland in July 2015. A lot of work was carried out, including refurbishing the upholstery with original moquette, fitting brand new front screens, and mechanical work. However, due to preservation efforts on another vehicle, he offered it to Transport Museum Wythall, and it joined the collection in September 2021.