The first bus operator in Oxfordshire to run an entirely low-floor fleet has completed the change with the purchase of a new Optare Solo.

Whites Coaches of Culham runs 12 local services using a fleet of seven buses, all of which are now low-floor Solos. Partners David Bainbridge and Nick Bland made the decision to standardise on Solo following good experience with the model, which they first bought in 2003.

“From the outset we found them ideal for the work we are doing in providing local services in a rural town areas,” David Bainbridge explains. “They’re a compact size for the country lanes and narrow streets in historic towns, have good carrying capacity and are liked by both drivers and passengers for the comfortable ride they provide. Users particularly like the low access, especially those of our older passengers who are less mobile.

“From a repair and maintenance point of view we’ve found it sensible to standardise on one model. In this regard the Solo is a good choice because it’s such a simple vehicle to work on. Panels come off easily to make minor damage repairs quick and simple to carry out. We also don’t need to carry a wide range of parts to cover different makes and models. On top of that we get good back-up from Optare, including technical advice and fast parts supply.”

The latest addition to the fleet is an 8.5 metre long, 2.5 metre wide model. It has 29 Esteban Civic VO seats of which three are tip-ups in the wheelchair bay. With standees the bus can carry 55 passengers, enabling it to meet peak demands for people travelling to work in the rural towns served by the company.

To power its new bus Whites Coaches have opted for the Mercedes-Benz 904La engine at the higher of its two ratings. This delivers110 kW (147 bhp) at 2200 rpm and 580 Nm of torque at 1200 rpm. The engine is matched to an Allison 2000 series five-speed fully automatic transmission.

Solo’s full air suspension contributes to a smoother, more comfortable ride and the front air bags can be exhausted to enable the bus to ‘kneel’ and provide an entrance step height of just 200 mm. All round disc brakes with ABS provide sure-footed braking in all road and load conditions and the integral Klam retarder reduces wear on the service brakes. Mobitec electronic destination equipment is fitted.

Based midway between Oxford and Reading, Whites Coaches has been providing public transport services across southern Oxfordshire for many years. The present company was acquired by the Bland family in 1982 and today runs ten vehicles, of which seven are buses and three are coaches.

For further information please contact:
Martin Hayes, Communications Advisor, +44 (0) 207 494 8050