The latest environmentally friendly buses manufactured in Sherburn in Elmet by Optare played their part in the Tour de Yorkshire celebrations this weekend, carrying passengers from the surrounding villages to Selby on a free service operated by Arriva.
Enrico Vassallo, CEO, commented “The atmosphere on the buses on the day was fantastic and we were thrilled at the response of local people to the service and the Optare buses.”
In addition to the free shuttle service the very latest all electric Optare bus was also on display at the new “Selby leisure centre” on Scott Road and was visited by Nigel Adams, the Conservative Candidate for Selby and Ainsty.
Nigel Adams, said, “The idea of providing a free shuttle bus service for the Tour de Yorkshire, was born, following my visit to the Optare factory in March. Optare employs around 400 local people with many of them in highly skilled jobs. It is a pleasure to see complex manufacturing thriving in the area and be able to showcase it by running these buses for more people to enjoy the Tour de Yorkshire celebrations in Selby. Optare make all electric buses alongside the very latest low emissions, clean diesel buses at the factory in Sherburn in Elmet and are already the largest manufacturer of all electric buses in the UK. I congratulate Optare on their success and thank them for providing the service on Saturday.”