(20 Jul 2014, 8:02 pm)G-CPTN wrote Does it belong to Lothian - or is it a demonstrator?
It's on a long term demonstration period to Lothian Buses, which is why the vehicle is painted in Lothian's corporate livery and, exterior-wise, is to Lothian's specification.
As there only seems to be one B5TL demonstration vehicle for the entire UK (in the form of BF63HDC), I believe that Volvo are having to ask Lothian to take some time out of its demonstration period for other operators to have a go - given that Lothian have already had a successful trial and placed an order as a result, whilst other operators won't wish to 'buy blind'.
I think, once it's finished its long term demonstration period with Lothian Buses, they will probably end up buying it at a discounted price - obviously they'll have to convert it to their interior specification which will come at a cost.
Note that Lothian will be purchasing B5TL vehicles with the glass panel exactly like 286, which further suggests this too.