Optare

[gilesbus1]

RE: Optare

(15/12/2012 19:42)Metroline1511 Wrote:  I suddenly wonder when the new Olympus body is due. I thought Optare were working on an integral bus, originally the Rapta but then renamed the Olympus to match the recent bodywork. Despite the availability of MCV double-deck bodywork, virtually everything is now ADL Enviro400 or Wrightbus Gemini.

Not sure, but had been given the impression that Optare where in no hurry because of the Recession and down turn in the number of buyers who would buy such a vehicle, eg the vanishing of large independents and Government cuts that may mean some Municipal Companies are no longer in a position to buy such vehicles regularly.

As I understand it, it is suspended pending a time when the market recovers, unless I suppose a worthwhile order came from one of the big Groups, but that seems unlikely as none have ever bought a significant number of new Double deck vehicles from Optare or East Lancs before with the exception of a few deliveries to Metrobus (GoAhead) and First Scotland East and First Dorset and Hampshire, all those that went to Stagecoach from new where owned by Councils and came with contracts (Corby and Barrow) indead the Barrow ones have since returned to Cumbria County Council.

Optare had reduced in anycase its building to what it termed as special orders, which I presume mean't Open Tops, Tri-Axles and OmniDekka's for Nottingham City Transport although none of the above have been built now for over twelve months and recent Open Top production has gone elsewhere (Big Bus and Golden Tours). Nottingham hasn't as yet indicated any future decker policy and probably has more than enough OmniDekka's that it doesn't need any sort of replacements for something like 5 years.

However interestingly Premiere of Nottingham have just ordered 10 Scania OmniCity Deckesr the first to be made again for over twelve months so I guess anythings possible.