Introduction into service on 1st April of an Optare Versa low-floor midibus takes the fleet size of fast-growing operator TM Travel to over 100, making it the largest independent operator in Derbyshire.

For owner and managing director, Tim Watts, a key factor when choosing the Versa was the large degree of commonality with Optare’s Solo model, of which he runs 30. “Features like the power pack installation are just the same as Solo,” he says. “And this means our mechanics will be quite familiar with the Versa when they have to work on it.”

He was also impressed by the comfortable ride and quietness of the model. “The interior is very quiet, light and airy, which passengers will appreciate,” he says. “Older passengers and young mums will find the low entry height very helpful and we’ve described it as ‘buggy friendly’ on each side. The swept-back styling is also very appealing. It’s different and provides something of a wow factor!”

The four cylinder MAN DO834 is the TM Travel’s choice of engine for their new Versa. This follows good experience of the engine in a couple of Solos delivered last year. Tim Watts says he finds that at 177 bhp (132 kW) the MAN unit provides the right amount of power to ensure a smooth ride and to cope easily with local operating conditions. The MAN is also well matched to the Allison automatic transmission, which further adds to the smoothness of the ride.

“We’re trying to keep things as simple as possible,” he explains. “And the simplicity of EGR technology to achieve Euro 4 emissions standards helps us to do that.”

The 11.1 metre Versa is running on a ten-mile route between Chesterfield and Sheffield via Dronfield. It’s a well used service for which the Versa’s seating capacity of 40 is ideal, especially as at peak times the permitted number of standees can increase the total capacity to 62 passengers. There’s also a wheelchair/buggy bay accessed by means of a simple manual book-leaf ramp.

Passengers are seated on comfortable Esteban Civic V3 seats trimmed in a durable and colourful moquette. These incorporate a foldaway armrest on the gangway seats and a head restraint, which help increase the comfort and safety of passengers.

Tim Watts runs TM Travel with his wife Catherine, who is the company secretary, from a base at Staveley near Chesterfield . They started the business in 1995 with just one vehicle and are now the largest independent operator in Derbyshire with over 100 vehicles in their fleet. Sixty buses are on local scheduled services, another 25 on schools contracts, and the remainder are coaches available for private hires and some touring work.

For further information please contact:

David Rowlands, Automotive PR, 020 7494 8050, drowlands@automotivepr.com