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Optare PLC

Hurricane Way South, Sherburn in Elmet
Leeds LS25 6PT
+44 (0)8434 873 200
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Optare PLC

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Optare MetroCity buses for London’s fully electric bus route

March 30, 2015 Rebecca Green

Arriva London has placed an order for seven fully electric, zero emissions, Optare MetroCity single deck buses which will operate on route 312.  This will be the first route in London to be operated entirely with fully electric buses.  These vehicles will join two Optare MetroCity vehicles currently in service on route 312, which runs between South Croydon and Norwood Junction. The new vehicles are expected to commence service later this year.

Enrico Vassallo, CEO, Optare, said, “We are delighted that Arriva has chosen to purchase a further seven buses following the success of the MetroCity Optare fully electric buses currently operating on route 312.  This order marks the first order of electric vehicles to be solely funded by a London operator.  With zero emissions at tail pipe, these vehicles demonstrate that fully electric bus technology has very much arrived and is a commercially viable solution to improved air quality in London.”

Peter Batty. Commercial Director, Arriva London, commented on the recent order, “We are one of the biggest bus operators in London, providing around 18% of the capital’s bus services under contract to Transport for London. Following an initial trail of the Optare fully electric vehicles on route 312 we were satisfied that the technology was robust enough to stand up to the rigours of operating in an intense urban environment and are pleased to be the first operator in London to be offering a fully electric route.”

Mike Weston, TfL's Director of Buses, said, “This is an exciting new milestone for our bus fleet, which is already one of the cleanest in Europe.  We currently have eight electric buses in the TfL fleet and this number will grow to more than 300 by 2020.  London has always been at the forefront of adopting and trialling new green technology and these buses are a welcome addition to the fleet.”

← Optare Solo a hit with the Children at the London Transport MuseumOptare Solo bus takes to the air at London Transport Museum →

Working with us

As part of a global group, we are one of the UK’s leading bus manufacturing companies employing around 350 people across our business. Our parent, Ashok Leyland, part of the Hinduja Group, is ranked within the top four global bus manufacturers.

We believe that a highly skilled and appropriately trained workforce is a key ingredient to our continued success and we are always looking for people who have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience coupled with drive, ambition and commitment to take our business forward in our effort to maintain our reputation as the most innovative bus manufacturer in the UK.

In return we have attractive remuneration and benefits packages appropriate to each opportunity within the Company. We also offer a comprehensive apprenticeship programme to help us develop the technical experts of the future. This gives young people the chance to pursue a number of different skills in a selection of trades such as coach-builders, auto electricians, welders, mechanics and paint-sprayers.

Our main manufacturing site is in Sherburn in Elmet, Leeds, Yorkshire, and we have also established several service centres and product support locations across the country. 

News
Flagship Sunderland bus link gets a makeover with new Optare Solos
about 3 weeks ago

Optare Group Limited
Registered Office: Hurricane Way South, Sherburn in Elmet, Leeds, LS25 6PT
t: +44 (0) 1977 687 200
f: +44 (0) 8434 873 201

Registered in England No. 1818255
An Ashok Leyland Company

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