Eighteen Brand-New Volvo 9700 DD Coaches Enter Service on Scottish Citylink’s iconic 900 Route

Part of the Stagecoach empire, Scottish Citylink, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has completed a full fleet replacement on one of Scotland’s busiest and most well-known intercity bus routes: the 900 service between Glasgow and Edinburgh is now operated by 18 brand-new double-decker Volvo 9700 DD coaches. The £7 million investment (equivalent to 3.4 billion HUF) replaces the Plaxton Panorama double-decker buses that entered service only five years ago, with the new premium-comfort double-deck Volvo 9700 models, which are worthy successors in every aspect on this high-priority route.

The 900 route connects the city centers of Scotland’s two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and is one of Scottish Citylink’s busiest intercity services. Operating 24 hours a day, the line stands out not only nationally but across Europe for its high-frequency timetable: buses depart as often as every 15 minutes during the day and hourly at night between the two cities, which are only 67 kilometers apart. This route, in operation for three decades, transports thousands of passengers daily.

The new fleet was officially unveiled on April 14, 2025, at the Glasgow Transport Museum. The 18 Volvo 9700 DD double-decker coaches are operated by Stagecoach West Scotland and Parks of Hamilton on behalf of Scottish Citylink. The fleet renewal is part of a broader development program aimed at raising service quality and further enhancing the travel experience.

Manufactured by Finnish company Carrus Delta under Volvo license, the model is not unfamiliar to the company’s fleet, as similar vehicles — nearly 15 meters long and 4 meters tall — have previously been introduced. The new coaches are built on the Volvo B13R chassis platform, combined with the fuel-efficient 12.8-liter Volvo D13K diesel engine, producing 500 horsepower (368 kW) and 2500 Nm of peak torque. The engine is capable of operating on conventional diesel, hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), or pure biodiesel (B100). The drivetrain also includes a Volvo I-Shift AT2612G automated transmission featuring 12 forward and 4 reverse gears.

Stagecoach ordered the buses with an 81-seat layout. The coaches comply with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) in force in England, Scotland, and Wales, and are thus capable of transporting one wheelchair passenger. Onboard comfort is provided by reclining passenger seats equipped with three-point seat belts, footrests, fold-down tables, and USB-A and USB-C ports. A highlight of the upper deck is the large panoramic glazing, which brightens and opens up the interior, further enhancing the passenger experience.

The vehicles’ active safety systems are bundled into the Volvo Driver Support System, which includes frontal collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, as well as ABS, ASR, ESP, and an electronic emergency brake assist. Additionally, the buses are equipped with the CMS digital mirror replacement camera system.

Cover photo: Scottish Citylink, photos: Richard Walter

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