The reliable performance of Optare Solos in service with Flintshire operator P & O Lloyd Limited has led to the company recently buying its fifth.

The new arrival replaces Lloyd’s first Solo, which has given six years of reliable service and has clocked-up over 300,000 miles.

Managing Director, David Lloyd, also cites Solo’s modern styling, passenger appeal, good fuel economy, and ease of servicing as factors in the decision to buy another. “We’re very happy with our Solos,” he says. “Our drivers like them and they are well-suited to the local operating conditions. The parts and service back-up from Optare is good too and this results in very little downtime.”

The new Solo is being operated on the hourly number 18 service that connects Flint with Rhyl, a distance of 17 miles. The route takes in numerous small villages that overlook the Dee estuary and at 9.2 metres in length and 2.5 metres wide, the Solo copes well with the narrow country roads.

Seating capacity is 33 of which three are tip-ups in the wheelchair/buggy bay. Esteban Civic VO seats are fitted, which have a handgrip at the top that provides safe and easy support when moving onto and off the seat without impairing visibility once seated, and which feature anti-vandal rear shells.

The Solo is powered by a 110 kW (147 bhp) rated Mercedes-Benz OM904La engine matched to an Allison 2000 Series five-speed, fully automatic gearbox. All round air-suspension ensure a comfortable ride and the front kneeling capability enables the step height to be reduced to just 200mm, which makes it easier for less mobile passengers to board or disembark as well as reducing the angle of the fold-out wheelchair ramp.

P & O Lloyd operates 34 buses and coaches on commercial and subsidised stage carriage services, school contracts with Flintshire County Council, and private hires. This year the company marks 80 years in business having been started in 1927 by twin brothers Price and Owen Lloyd, the former being the grandfather of the current managing director, David Lloyd.

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