Bus services for the 3,500 inhabitants of the Hebridean island of Islay have been further improved by the introduction into service of a second Optare Solo by local bus company Islay Coaches.

The company is using the 9.5 metre, 31-seat Solo on a stage carriage service operating seven days a week over a 25 mile route that connects Port Askaig in the north with Port Ellen in the south of the island. The route takes in several of the nine malt whisky distilleries for which the Isle of Islay is world-renowned. Flexibility in the schedule also enables the bus to be used on school contract work.

Stuart Logan, depot manager at Islay Coaches, says that the Solo is proving very popular with passengers and drivers. “The air suspension on the Solo ensures a comfortable ride on Islay’s roads, the condition of which, in parts, can be demanding on a vehicle’s suspension. Some sections of the route are also single track and the Solo seems to suit these well, even though it’s 2.5 metres wide.

“Our drivers find the bus is easy to drive. There’s plenty of power to cope with the undulating terrain and the engine is well matched to the Allison automatic transmission, which is very smooth in operation. Steering is light yet positive and the brakes are solid and reassuring. When buses come to Islay they tend to stay here and the new Solo certainly provides an interesting comparison with some of the older buses in our fleet of seven!”

Islay Coaches has opted for the 4.58 litre, four-cylinder MAN DO834 engine to power its new Solo. This uses EGR technology to achieve the Euro 4 emissions standard. It delivers a very adequate 132 kW (177 bhp) at 2,400 rpm and 700 Nm of torque that enables it to move off easily in all road and load conditions.

Islay Coaches is a subsidiary of B Mundell Limited, a transport company based at Tarbert on the mainland and which provides services to and from the islands. Maintenance of the new Solo will be carried out at their depot in Islay where a skilled mechanic is permanently employed. Stuart Logan reports that the Solo is proving straightforward to work on with all main components very accessible.

Rescroft Defender seats are fitted and each has a three-point inertia reel seatbelt. Two of the 31 seats are tip-ups in the wheelchair/buggy bay. Manual destination blind equipment has been specified.

For further information please contact:
Martin Hayes
or
David Rowlands
Communications Advisors
+44 (0)20 7494 8050