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 The
acquisition of a seventh Optare Solo by North
Wales operator GHA Coaches has further extended
its low-floor accessible bus fleet, which now
numbers 32 vehicles. An eighth Solo is on order
for delivery later in the year.
The new 28-seater is being used on the
Flintshire County Council Linxx network. It’s
running on the 41 service connecting Mold with
Chester and which takes a loop south from Mold
to pass through a number of small villages that
straddle the border of Wales and England in a
triangle between Mold, Wrexham and Chester.
GHA has been running Solos since 1999 and
manager Gareth Lloyd-Davies says that it’s a
popular bus with passengers and drivers. “Solo
does a good job in the niche market of providing
rural services,” he says.
“It suits the local operating environment and
our drivers like them. It’s also a fuel
efficient bus – important in these days of
high fuel costs – and as we’ve now run them
for eight years we understand them and find them
straightforward to work on.
“Solo has good passenger appeal too. It
provides a comfortable ride in a saloon that’s
light and bright with a low noise level. And the
low step height and wide door is appreciated by
less mobile passengers and mothers with
buggies.”
The newest addition to the fleet is an 8.8 metre
SlimLine model, just 2.33 metres wide. It has 25
Esteban Civic VO fixed seats and three tip-ups
in the wheelchair/buggy bay.
GHA has opted for the Mercedes-Benz OM904
engine, which delivers 115kW (154 bhp). This
uses SCR technology to achieve Euro 4
compliance. The engine is matched to an Allison
2100 Series five-speed fully automatic
transmission. This has a lock-up torque
converter for improved fuel economy. The fitting
of a KLAM electro-magnetic retarder as standard
on Solo assists in smoother braking and reduced
service brake wear.
Other equipment includes a four-camera Cyberline
digital CCTV system, Mobitec LED destination
blinds, and a Wayfarer TGX ticket machine. The
Solo also has a personalised registration
number, AA 57 GHA.
Based in Ruabon, GHA has depots in Corwen,
Ruthin and Wrexham. As well as local bus
services, the company has a large coach fleet,
undertakes school contract work, rail
replacement services, excursions and private
hire work.
For further information please contact:
David Rowlands, Communications Advisor, +44
(0)20 7494 8050
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