Gateshead Central Taxis have added 5 Optare Solos to their first service bus fleet. Gateshead Central Taxis have over 200 vehicles, including a 24 hour taxi fleet and the largest range of specialist wheelchair accessible vehicles in the Northeast.
In Gateshead Taxis’ first venture into vehicles of this capacity the 9m Solo SR buses will serve multiple routes around Gateshead on behalf of Nexus. The Euro 5 buses seat up to 31. The low entry floor combined with the front axle forward of the door allows for easy access to a fully flat lower saloon area, making these buses easily accessible for all.
Scot Ryan, Operations Manager at Gateshead Central Taxis, said, “We look forward to a long working relationship with Optare and their support through these initial stages in our new venture.”
Tim Matthews, UK Sales & National Key Account Manager, Optare, said, “We are thrilled to be supplying Gateshead Taxis with what we hope will be the first of many Optare buses.”
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From 1st January 2015 all buses operating on registered routes open to the public up to 7.5 tonnes were required to be DDA compliant.
The requirements include vehicles to provide provision for the following:
• Wheelchair access ramp
• Wheelchair space with restraint
• Priority seats for passengers
• Space for guide dogs
• Handrails to assist disabled people
• Compliant step heights
Established coach operator Coachstyle has been running seven, 7.9m long 2.33m wide Optare Solos since April 2014. The vehicles are fully DDA compliant and seat up to 27 with space for 9 standing. Cotswold-based Coachstyle purchased its fleet of seven new Optare Solo SER buses last year, after it won new contracts to provide scheduled bus services in and around Malmesbury.
Andrew Jones, Owner, Coachstyle, said: “The Solo’s low entry floor and front axle forward of the door design allows for easy access to a fully flat lower saloon area, making these buses easily accessible for all and fully compliant with the DDA regulations. Not only does the Solo have excellent capacity the slim design means it is also ideal for navigating the service routes around Malmesbury.”
The Optare Solos serve scheduled local authority routes from Malmesbury to Circencester, Swindon, Yate and Chippenham, each covering on average 80,000 miles per annum.
Andrew added, “Purchasing new vehicles is a huge investment and we are more than happy with the support and service Optare have been able to provide. The fleet not only looks great with the distinctive Solo styling but we are also extremely pleased with the fuel economies the vehicles are delivering. I would certainly recommend these vehicles.”
Tim Matthews, Head of Sales at Optare said, “These vehicles are a more fuel efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly option for operators needing to replace older vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz Beaver models and Dennis Darts which are no longer DDA compliant.”
The slim design, excellent capacity of these vehicles and the low entry, easy access fully flat lower saloon area provide great flexibility for the application of these vehicles. Our customers use these vehicles for a range of purposes including urban, interurban, airport and school bus applications.”
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Optare has agreed a three year pay and conditions deal with its operations employees who are represented by UNITE the Union.
“The agreement is an indication of our commitment to the business and criticality of our engagement with employees in delivering ever improving customer service, performance, and productivity and efficiency improvements”, said Enrico Vassallo, CEO, Optare.
The hard work of the negotiating team comprising of Optare business leaders and UNITE the Union shop stewards, was praised by Chris Cooke, Optare Interim HR Director, “Without the dedication and sensible approach of our joint negotiation team this deal would not have been possible. It forms an excellent platform for working together in the future.”
Richard Bedford, UNITE Regional Officer said, “Unite has a proud track record of working with employers to reach negotiated settlements across all industries. The three year pay and benefits deal that Unite has negotiated with bus manufacturer Optare is a testament to our commitment to better communication and joint working.
“Today, both sides have shown that strong sectoral bargaining is good for workers and good for business. We look forward to working together with Optare to build even stronger employment relations in the future.”
Optare and UNITE are working closely to cultivate their working relationship as the cornerstone of business success.
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Optare can confirm that 10 single deck Optare buses bound for a customer in the Middle East are indeed stranded on the Hoegh Osaka, which hit news headlines after the pilot and the master took the decision to save the vessel and its crew by grounding her on Bramble Bank in the Solent.
Salvage teams have boarded the vessel to assess the impact of the grounding but it is too early to determine the status of the cargo on board. Hoegh Autoliners are in touch with Optare and sending updates as and when they become available.
Optare are obviously working closely with their customer to try and reduce the impact of the delayed delivery of the vehicles bound for the Middle East.
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The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills visited the Optare manufacturing facility at Sherburn in Elmet, near Leeds just a week after Optare announced its Euro 6 Solo SR and MetroCity diesel-powered buses gained low carbon accreditation for their low emissions.
Optare is committed to supporting greener travel in the UK and in addition to supplying low carbon diesel buses is currently the largest supplier of fully electric buses in the UK, with over 70 currently in service across the UK.
The visit included a tour of the factory where Dr Cable met staff and saw several buses in production, including Optare’s fully electric models and the newly developed MetroDecker, Euro 6, double deck vehicle.
The Business Secretary said, “Optare’s cutting-edge electric buses – fully designed and built in Leeds – are in demand across the globe and exported as far away as Australia, as well as being sold throughout the UK. I recently visited Optare’s parent company Ashok Leyland in India where I was impressed by the range of high-tech vehicles.
The government’s industrial strategy, developed in partnership with industry, is giving businesses such as these the confidence to invest over the long term and create high skilled jobs.”
The Optare factory was officially commissioned on a visit by Transport Minister, Norman Baker in 2011, and now employs over 400 people, exports its vehicles as far afield as South Africa, The Middle East and Australia, and has won awards for its market-leading technology.
Enrico Vassallo, CEO, Optare PLC said: “We were very honoured to welcome The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP and to escort him on a tour of our facilities at Sherburn in Elmet. We were particularly delighted to be able to showcase the proven technology of our fully electric vehicles and our newly developed MetroDecker as well as explain to Dr Cable our achievements in both UK and international markets and our contribution to the local and UK economy. It was a memorable day for all our staff, and underlines what Optare has accomplished in recent years.”
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• Buses deliver significant air quality benefits due to zero tail pipe emissions at point of use
• Technology should deliver significant maintenance and running cost savings compared to conventional diesel single deck buses
Transport for London (TfL), Arriva and UK bus manufacture Optare today (Wednesday 10 December) introduced the latest electric buses to the capital’s fleet.
The two Optare MetroCity buses are now in service on route 312, which is operated by Arriva, between South Croydon and Norwood Junction. The bus route is used by around 4,700 passengers a day. Passengers travelling on these buses will benefit from much lower noise and vibration levels compared to regular buses with diesel engines.
These new electric buses are the latest addition to Europe’s greenest bus fleet and will increase TfL’s experience and understanding of this relatively new technology. The buses were built by UK bus manufacturer Optare, which is part of the Hinduja Group, based in Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire. They have zero tail pipe emissions at point of use, resulting in lower overall carbon emissions.
Mike Weston, TfL’s Director of Buses, said: “We now have a total of eight pure electric buses in the capital’s fleet which will help increase our experience and understanding of this technology. London has always been at the forefront of adopting and trialling new green technology and these buses are a welcome addition to the fleet.”
Enrico Vassallo, CEO at Optare, said, “We are delighted to be supplying a further two fully electric buses for the bus passengers of London. We hope that the success of these vehicles in London and those already in service in London, York, Manchester and Nottingham will lead to more Optare electric buses in the capital helping to contribute to cleaner air for all.”
Peter Batty, Arriva London Commercial Director said: “Electric buses are at the cutting edge of transport technology to improve air quality and everyone involved with route 312 at our garage in South Croydon is looking forward to operating the buses in what is the Year of the Bus.”
Councillor Kathy Bee, Croydon’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Croydon is a borough that aspires to be clean and green, so it is great news that we are to get our first electric buses. We are London’s regeneration borough, and equally we want to ensure that we are doing everything we can to reduce carbon emissions and improve the air quality. I’m sure passengers on the route 312 will join me in welcoming the fact that their journeys will now be more environmentally-friendly.”
The use of these electric buses will establish whether the technology can stand up to the rigours of operating in an intense urban environment such as London. The manufacturer’s tests demonstrate that while the initial capital cost of these vehicles is more than that of standard diesel, the significantly lower running and maintenance costs would offset this within the typical lifetime of the vehicle.
The buses take around five hours to fully charge overnight, or two hours using fast charge technology, and have a range of up to 100 miles depending on operating conditions.
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Optare’s Euro 6 Solo SR and MetroCity diesel-powered buses have gained low carbon accreditation for their low emissions.
The Solo SR and MetroCity with Euro 6 115kW engines and Allison 2100 transmissions are now certified Low Carbon Emissions Buses (LCEB) after passing the Millbrook London Transport Bus test cycle developed by Transport for London and Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd.
Low carbon emission buses are defined by the Government as those producing 30% less emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) than an average Euro 3 diesel bus, The testing, developed by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), measures GHG emissions from the vehicle and from the fuel production when the bus is carrying its maximum passenger load.
Enrico Vassallo, CEO of Optare, said, “The project to achieve this certification began in October 2013. We are extremely pleased to announce the Solo SR and MetroCity are now Low Carbon Emissions Buses. As well as the environmental benefit this development brings, customers will see a return on their investment in the form of reduced ownership costs, such as fuel consumption, within a very short time.
Although low carbon emission buses are also significantly more fuel efficient, in 2013 they only accounted for approximately 2% of the UK bus market. We hope that this new development from Optare can contribute to increase the percentage of low carbon buses on UK roads.”
Ken Anderson, Engineering Director, Optare, “Emissions and fuel economy are at the forefront of our customer’s minds with the ever present pressure of running costs. Optare’s innovative solution follows 12 months of rigorous testing and development by our own engineering team. The Optare Solo SR and MetroCity Low Carbon Emission Buses have been developed with intelligent energy management, which optimises energy usage and reduces losses. For example under the low carbon emissions testing the MetroCity yielded a fuel efficiency improvement of over 15% when compared to the standard Euro 6 diesel MetroCity.”
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A fully electric Optare Solo received positive reviews when it was exhibited in Oslo in conjunction with The Zero Conference 2014 on 13 November.
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Guildford based family owned Safeguard Coaches is celebrating success at the coach and bus industry’s premier awards event after being named Small Bus Operator of the Year.
This coveted accolade was presented at the routeONE Awards held on 5 November at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. It is an award that recognises excellence and confirms that Safeguard Coaches is among the best in the country.
Attended by 790 industry guests, the routeONE Awards is now in its 10th year and is firmly established as the number one event in the coach and bus industry calendar.
“Excellence is the by-word and the aim, as always, is to identify and reward the best operators and people in the coach, bus and minibus sectors,” said Awards Chairman Mike Morgan.
After collecting the Small Bus Operator of the Year trophy from celebrities Tim Vine and Steph McGovern, Andrew Halliday, Managing Director of Safeguard Coaches said: “Being recognized as the best small bus operator nationally in this hard fought competition is a huge accolade and well deserved recognition for all our drivers, supervisors, engineers and managers in this our 90th year of operation. We are very proud of our success.”
Commending Safeguard Coaches, the routeONE Awards judging panel of five highly experienced industry experts said: “Although long-established, our winner has moved with the times…indeed it has taken the lead in many respects, ensuring that it has maintained a competitive edge, recording 25% passenger growth on its core commercial bus services in Guildford, while maintaining enviable reliability despite Guildford’s highly unpredictable traffic conditions.”
Tim Matthews, Head of UK Sales at Optare, said, “ We are thrilled that Safeguard Coaches have been recognised in this way and are pleased to announce that we will be supplying yet another Optare Versa to cope with the increasing number of passengers travelling on the bus services provided by this award winning company.”
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Courtney’s of Finchampstead, Berkshire have added two 11.7m Optare Versa Hybrids to their fleet. The Versa Hybrids were purchased with support from the Government’s Green Bus Fund.
Courtney’s have purchased Optare vehicles for many years and have a majority Optare fleet including Solos, Tempos and Optare double deck model. These Versas with Hybrid power train will be the first Versas in the Courtney’s fleet and will operate on Courtney’s Wokingham routes.
The Versas have 41 Esteban V3 high back seats with Courtney embossed in the head rests and 3 tip up seats. The Versas also boast Hanover destinations with full colour display to front, a Synetics 6-camera T1600 CCTV system and a Hanover passenger announcement and next stop system.
Bill Courtney-Smith, Courtney’s owner said, “We made history in 2002 when we were the first bus company in Britain to run our fleet on biofuel. Since then we have remained true to our green policy seeking out the latest in bus technology for our fleet. As a family business we pride ourselves in listening to our customers and they always comment most favourably on the ride quality of Optare products. So the Optare Versa hybrid was a natural choice for us.”
Tim Matthews, UK Sales & National Key Account Manager, Optare, said, “We have supplied a large number of Solo’s to this customer over the years and I am delighted this environmentally conscious operator has chosen the Optare Versa Hybrid vehicles to add to their fleet.”
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