Transdev owned Blazefields’ Lancashire subsidiary is investing in a new fleet of Optare Versa 11 metre buses to further enhance its services in Burnley.

For Optare this is a highly significant order – it is the second from a major group for the Versa (the launch order announced last October was from Stagecoach) and the first ever it has received from Blazefield, which has a reputation for pursuing innovation within the industry. The new Versa, unveiled at the NEC’s Euro Bus Expo last year, has been trialled by a large number of bus operators and has recently won acclaim from the British bus media after preliminary road tests.

The Blazefield order calls for 19 Optare Versas to be delivered later this year. The vehicles chosen are 11m long and are equipped with Cummins Euro 4 ISBe engines developing 201 bhp. There is a high spec feel throughout the vehicles, which will feature Esteban V2 Civic seats, CCTV, a powered ramp to the entrance step area plus a number of other cosmetic changes to suit the customer’s exacting requirements and help stimulate passenger growth.

Commenting on why Blazefield opted for the new Versa, Dave Alexander, Group Operations Director of Blazefield, said: “The Versa has real style – it looks completely different from any other vehicle. Passengers benefit from exceptionally low interior noise levels and increased space, particularly leg room”.

Russell Revill, Lancashire‘s Operations Director added: “Burnley has lots of hills and the Cummins engine delivers exactly the power that is needed. The Versa offers what we wanted in terms of ride quality for our customers and its commonality with the tried and tested Solo in some key areas gave us confidence in this new model”.

Chris Wise, Sales Director for Optare, said: “This is a really significant order for us. Not only is it the second order for Versa from a major group but it is the first from Transdev owned Blazefield. We are confident that where they and Stagecoach have lead many others will follow and predict tremendous success for Versa in delivering a new style to British bus services”.

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