The first Optare Solo SE compact, low-floor midibus to enter service in Scotland began its life with the longest journey that it’s ever likely to make – the 500 miles from Leeds to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands!

The 19-seater midibus joins the 42-vehicle fleet of Orkney Coaches, which is part of the Rapsons Group, Scotland’s leading independent bus and coach operator with over 180 vehicles in service. The bus is being used on the number 11 service that connects Kirkwall with the island’s airport, in which considerable investment has recently been made.

Monty Smillie, General Manager at Orkney Coaches, says: “It works well when people come out of the new terminal building to see a modern, stylish, low-floor bus. With the Solo they’re assured of easy access, especially for elderly or disabled passengers, as well as those with luggage. It’s a good advert for all concerned!”

Although in the livery of Orkney Coaches and on their licence, the Solo is owned by Hitrans (Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership), the public body that is charged with creating a modern, integrated transport infrastructure across the region. Under its contract with Hitrans, Orkney Coaches provides the driver and fuel for the bus as well as maintaining it at their well-equipped workshop in Kirkwall.

The Rapsons Group has considerable experience with Solo, operating different combinations across their four operating companies. Director of Engineering, Russell Henderson, says that the model has proved very successful for them. “It’s reliable, fuel-efficient, customer-friendly and aesthetically pleasing,” he says. “And our maintenance staff find it a relatively uncomplicated vehicle to work on.”

Being just 7.1 metres long and 2.33 metres wide, the new Solo SE is particularly well suited to its work in the Orkney Isles where it’s often running on narrow roads. And although compact, it has many ‘big bus’ features. These include full air suspension with front axle kneeling capability, a full size driver’s compartment and a wide entrance door behind the front axle with a low step height leading to a flat floor throughout most of the bus. Comfortable Rescroft Defender 2 seats with seat belts are fitted and there are two tip-ups in the wheelchair bay, which is accessed by means of a simple fold-out ramp.

A 4.25 litre Mercedes-Benz OM904LA engine delivering 90kW (122 bhp) provides ample power for the Solo, which has a gross weight of less than 7,500 kg. This allows the bus to be driven on a car licence, although Orkney Coaches are committed to using only fully trained PCV drivers. The engine is matched to an Allison 1000 Series fully automatic gearbox and a Klam electro-magnetic retarder is mounted onto the rear axle.

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