Optare
www.buszone.co.uk
Optare was Reading Transport's main supplier of vehicles during the 1990s, and this page aims to give a historical outline of all of the vehicle types that Optare have produced since they were set up in February 1985. All pictures on this page have been taken from their website or company material.
Optare started life in 1985 with the purchase of the formerly Leyland-owned Charles H Roe coachworks at Crossgates, Leeds by a group of determined employees. It was at a time when bus sales in the UK were low due a large amount of uncertainty regarding the forthcoming deregulation of the bus industry. The company started developing new stylish complete buses, initially in co-operation with chassis manufactures before moving to develop it's own under-frames and consequently integral buses. They built on the skills inherited from the Roe company, which has a history dating from 1923. Initially they only produced minibuses, but then moved on to larger things with the purchase of some vehicle designs from MCW.
The company were bought by United Bus in 1990, which consequently collapsed in 1993, and led to a second buyout by the employees. In 1997 they acquired Autobus, a specialist builder of luxury midicoach bodies, based on Mercedes Benz chassis. Along the way they have also opened a second factory in Rotherham, and have begun importing small coaches from Spanish bodybuilder Ferqui, which are badged as Optare products. Then in early 2000 Optare was acquired by NABI - North American Bus Industries, providing the company expansion opportunities in North America and continental Europe. However following restructuring at NABI during 2005, Optare was again bought back by its management from 1st August 2005.
The Start
The first bodies Optare built were 14 Dennis Domino midibuses, and then 15 Leyland Cub bodies which had front ends with shallow radiators. Their only mark of resemblance is that they all had flat windscreens.
Leyland Olympians
Optare bodied some Leyland Olympians on contract to ECW in the late 1980s. The body was to standard ECW design.
City Pacer
This was Optare's first model, built on a Volkswagen LT55 chassis, specifically imported for them and modified for their use. It was introduced in 1986, and came at a time when the industry started requiring 25 seat minibuses. It had very distinctive styling designed by Leeds art students. It was so unlike the bodies fitted to similar sized van derived minibuses that it won the Bus of the Year prize. The coach version was known as the Inter-City Pacer.
Star Rider
This followed the City Pacer, and was based on Mercedes chassis. It was larger than the City Pacer because of increasing demands for larger minibuses. It was launched in 1987, and offered 33 seats, and again won the Bus of the Year award. A coach version was also produced, and stayed in low volume production longer than the bus. In 1990 a cheaper version of this was launched, the SRe, but very few were bought.
Delta
The Delta was Optare's first full sized single deck bus, launched in 1988. It was based on the DAF SB220 chassis. It featured distinctive styling, in the same way the style made the Pacer stand out, it did on the Delta did too.
MetroRider
The rights of the Metrorider design were bought from MCW in 1988. The design was reworked, and improved, internal styling was altered to look more like other Optare products, and the name was subtly altered to MetroRider (changing the middle r to a capital letter), in line with other minibus names they had. In 1993 the range was modified to incorporate Euro 1 engines, a larger destination display and a wider entrance. In 1995 a slightly lower floor was fitted, and the final Mk4 version incorporated Euro 2 engine specifications.
Spectra
The Optare Spectra was based the MCW Metrobus designs. It was jointly developed by Optare and DAF Bus, with Optare developing the bodywork and DAF the chassis. The DAF chassis, the DB250 used parts from the Metrobus design and the single deck SB220. The Metrobus bodywork was given a new stylish look, which included the removal of the back window. The vehicle was launched in 1991, with Reading Buses taking the first production model, numbered 701 (registration MRD 1). Although you might not have guessed the link between the Spectra and Metrobus by looking at them, it can certainly be heard onboard this bus. In 1997 a low floor version of the Spectra was launched based on a reworked version of the DB250 chassis.
Vecta
The Vecta was designed whilst the Spectra was being developed. It was a medium sized single deck bus, based on the MAN 11.190 chassis.
Sigma
The Sigma is based on the Dennis Lance chassis, a full size single deck bus, and has a modified Delta body with a Vecta front. It was launched in 1994.
Prisma
The Prisma had a Delta body with a Mercedes style front, and was based on the Mercedes-Benz 0.405 chassis. It was launched in 1995 after the crisis and break-up of United Bus, of which Optare and DAF were members.
Excel & Excel 2
The Excel was launched in 1995 as Optare's first low floor bus. It is a low cost vehicle with midibus components, but in dimensions that make it a full size single decker. The Excel 2 was launched in 1999, it being upgraded mechanically and restyled to give it more of a family look with the Solo. Seating capacities available were 29, 33, 37 and 41.
Autobus Nouvelle 2
Autobus has been an Optare subsidiary since 1996. The Nouvelle was designed and launched by Autobus just before it was taken over. In 1997 Optare re-launched the Nouvelle as the Nouvelle 2 with restyled windscreen, grille and headlamp areas. The Nouvelle serves the market that StarRider and MetroRider coaches previously catered for. The Nouvelle is also available with some bus fittings.
Solera, Solera 2, Solera SR, Solera Corta & Solera HD
Launched in 1997 the Solera is a 35-seat coach, the model started Optare's long standing partnership with Spanish company Carroceria Ferqui. It was based on the Mercedes-Benz 11-190 chassis with a high quality, strong, comfortable and economic body, badged as Optare. In 2000 the model was updated using the Mercedes-Benz Atego 1223 chassis and a restyled body, named the Solera 2.
In 2003 the Solera 2 was given another redesign to become the Solera SR with 39 seats, and a shorter 25/27 seat Solera Corta was also introduced. Minor changes were again made in 2005, providing a restyled dashboard, cruise control and powered boot. For Euro 4 the model moved to the Atego 1224 L chassis.
In 2006 the Solera HD was launched, based on the Mercedes-Benz 1324 L chassis with a Euro 4 engine. The model has an increased seating capacity of 42, and is taller to allow additional luggage space.
Solo, Solo Slimline
The solo was named because it's step is 'so low'. The Solo has become the replacement for the MetroRider and various step entrance Mercedes minibus types, and has a structure very similar to both the MetroRider and Excel with Mercedes engine. It was launched in 1997, and was the only bus to be named as a "Millennium Product" in 1999 by the design council. It was also the first bus to receive Queen's Award for Innovation in 2000. In 2003 a Cummins engined option was made available, then in 2004 new longer and narrower versions were introduced, the narrower version being named the Solo Slimline.
| Reading's Optare Solos | Stagecoach in Warwickshire's Solos |
Soroco & Soroco "Plus"
The Optare Soroco is a 16 seat executive Mini-Coach based on the Mercedes Benz CDI Sprinter chassis, but with the roof line lifted for greater interior headroom and optimum passenger comfort. The vehicle has a high quality interior finish in order to serve prestige operators. The longer Soroco "Plus" was later introduced featuring 22 seats.
The Soroco was relaunched in November 2006, with models from 2007 being based on a Mercedes Benz 515 CDi chassis cowl and offering 19 seats instead of 16. At the same time the Soroco Plus was discontinued.
Alero
The Alero, launched in 2000 is a 7.2 metre, 16 seat low-floor minibus, built with specialist operators in mind. It is low floor throughout with a wide entrance, so is easily accessible on foot or in a wheelchair.
Bonito
The Bonito is a 16 seat minicoach based on the Ford Transit chassis.
Tempo
The Tempo was launched in October 2004, and is Optare's second fully integral single decker. It is a light weight but heavy duty bus built with a stainless steel frame clad mainly with aluminium panels. Initially it is available in four lengths, allowing 34, 38, 42 or 46 seats.
Toro
Launched in late October 2005, the Toro is a luxury midi coach based on the Mercedes-Benz 0815D Vario chassis with a capacity of upto 32 seats. From late 2006 the vehicle moved to the Mercedes-Benz Vario 0816D chassis to allow it to meet Euro 4 emissions standards.
Versa
The Versa was launched in November 2006, and is a midi-bus designed to fit between the Solo and Tempo, with two lengths of 10.3m or 11m offering seating capacities of either 36 or 40 with a good percentage of seats in the low floor area. The vehicle takes its frame structure from the Solo, but with the front wheels relocated to the more conventional position behind the doors to allow tighter turning circles and better manoeuvrability.
Autobus Super Sprinter 16
Autobus also makes bodies for standard Mercedes-Benz minibus chassis. The Super Sprinter 16 is a 16 seat minicoach based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, and is designed for shuttle and short haul mini-coach work.
Autobus Vario 24
The Vario 24 is a luxury coach conversion on Mercedes-Benz Vario chassis, having 24 coach seats. It is aimed at small coach operators who need a heavy duty workhorse that is comfortable and reliable.
Bova Futura
For a time Optare became one of Bova's UK dealers to sell the Bova Futura which had started production in 1983. The Futura series of coaches have a fairly similar exterior, and receive minor redesigns every few years. It was at the start of the Optare arrangement that a Cummins engine option was first added to the Futura. For a long time the Futura was the only Bova vehicle available in the UK, but during the mid 2000s this changed as the Magiq also came onto the market.
Other large Optare buyers have included Wilts & Dorset (who have the largest number all together I believe), and TrentBarton.
Last Updated: 07-11-06
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