Options included air conditioning, additional CCTV, bonded glazing, double glazing, driver protection, electronic destination displays, powered wheelchair ramp.[1] The Vyking could additionally be built either as a closed-top or a purpose-built open-top bus, the latter being made available with a detachable top-deck roof.
In 2001, East Lancs launched the facelifted East Lancs Myllennium Vyking, replacing the original Vyking and featuring a redesigned front fascia in line with East Lancs' other 'Myllennium' bodies. The Myllennium Vyking was built between 2001 and 2006.
Operators
Vyking
The launch customer for the first generation East Lancs Vyking was the FirstGroup, whose First CentreWest subsidiary took the first Vyking produced for use on London Buses route 207 in October 2000; originally fitted with air conditioning and sealed window panes, this bus was later retrofitted with openable windows after the air conditioning system was found to be underperforming.[2] This Vyking was later converted to a mobile classroom for use by mechanics and technicians training with the FirstGroup in late 2010.[3]
The largest operator of East Lancs Vykings were Yellow Buses of Bournemouth, who as part of an order for 25 Vykings, took delivery of 19 Vykings between 2001 and 2003, some of which were delivered as convertible open-toppers.[4]
The first generation Vyking was also highly popular with members of the Traction Group throughout the body's production. Strathtay Scottish took delivery of sixteen Vykings between 2001 and 2005,[5] while Lincolnshire RoadCar took delivery of 20 Vykings between 2001 and 2005, primarily for use on rural Lincolnshire InterConnect services.[6][7]
Independent purchasers of the East Lancs Vyking included Delaine Buses of Bourne, who took delivery of five between 2001 and 2005.[8]
The first eight production Myllennium Vykings were delivered to Solent Blue Line in late 2001.[9] Thirteen Myllennium Vykings were delivered as convertible open-toppers to neighbouring Wilts & Dorset in 2005,[10] with six closed top models additionally delivered to Yellow Buses of Bournemouth between 2004 and 2005.[4]
Twenty Myllennium Vykings were delivered to Irish state-owned bus and coach operator Bus Éireann between 2002 and 2004 for use on commuter bus services to Dublin.[9][14]
Bodies closely resembling the Vyking were produced on left-hand drive Volvo chassis for open-top sightseeing bus operators in Continental Europe. Open-top left-hand drive Vykings on Volvo B7L chassis were first supplied to Big Bus Tours operation in Paris, France,[citation needed] while Vykings on Volvo B7TL chassis were supplied to Car Rouges in Cannes, France and another sightseeing operator in Luxembourg in 2004. Vykings were also supplied to sightseeing operators Rome, Italy on both Volvo B7TL and an unknown Iveco chassis.[11]
1 2 3 "Vyking" (Press release). Blackburn: East Lancashire Coachbuilders. 2002. Archived from the original on 10 June 2002. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
↑ "£10m bus order joy". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. 26 April 2005. Retrieved 9 September 2025. Recent deliveries include 13 double deckers with removable roofs for Poole-based Wilts & Dorset Bus Company. They can be used on the popular sea front services in the summer and then have their roofs refitted for the winter.
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