Perryman’s Buses, the fastest-growing independent operator in the North East of England, has chosen Optare’s Versa model to fulfill what is the largest single order ever placed by the family-run firm.
The order is for 12 of the low-weight 11.7 metre model, all of which are additional to the fleet and when delivered this summer, they will double the number of Optare vehicles run by the Berwick-upon-Tweed based company. The vehicles will be used on new contracts awarded by the Scottish Borders Council to serve communities in the Central Borders area towards Edinburgh and in Northumberland.
General Manager Roddy Perryman says that the choice of the 11.7 metre Versa came down to three things: stylish appearance, fuel economy, and first-class back-up.
“This represents a major investment for us and we had to get it right,“ he says. “We carried out a thorough analysis of all the options for a bus of this size and involved our engineering manager very closely in the process. Optare ticked all the boxes in terms of passenger and driver appeal, reliability and durability, good service support and, in particular, excellent and proven fuel economy.“
Optare Sales Director, John Horn, said: “We are very pleased that following an appraisal of the market, and based on good experience with other Optare products, Perryman’s has chosen our Versa model for this, the largest order ever placed by this award-winning operator. And I’m particularly pleased that it was not only the design and build quality of our product that they took into account, but also the after-sales support that we deliver to them every day.“
In line with other Optare products in their fleet, Perryman’s have again chosen the six-cylinder Cummins ISBe engine rated at 201 bhp (150kW) to power their new Versas. “At this power output the engine has plenty in reserve to cope with some of the hilly terrain on the cross-border routes on which these buses will be used, without compromising on fuel consumption,“ explains Mr Perryman.
The engine is matched to a five-speed Allison automatic transmission that features a lock-up torque converter for improved fuel effeciency. A Klam electro-magnetic retarder automatically actuated through the brake pedal is also fitted as standard providing smoother retardation and contributing to reduced fuel consumption and brake wear.
A major factor in optimising fuel effeciency is the Optare EcoDrive dashboard, a standard feature on all Optare products that monitors how the bus is being driven and provides real-time feedback to the driver to encourage improved driving habits.
Perryman’s now has almost two years experience of this feature as it’s fitted in four Solo SR models it put on the road in mid 2011. “There is no doubt that it assists drivers to adopt a safter, more economical driving style,“ says Roddy Perryman.
To provide a degree of versatility in how the Versas can be used, Perryman’s has opted for two types of seating. Eight of the buses will have Esteban Civic V3 seats and the other four will be fitted with Rescroft seats with three-point seatbelts, enabling them to be used both on regular services and school contract runs.
A Timespace V400 8 camera CCTV system will be fitted and the vehicles will also have a Mobitec ’Next Stop’ audio announcement linked to an interior LED display.
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Eleven Optare Solo SR midibuses have been put into service by leading Berkshire independent Courtney Buses on routes in Windsor and Maidenhead and surrounding villages.
The buses, which are operating on contracted services with Windsor and Maidenhead Council, carry distinctive route branding in a range of vivid colours. The Council decided to enhance the services with additional and higher specification vehicles because of a doubling in passenger numbers in recent years and to cope with increased traffic congestion.
Features of the 9.0 metre Solo SRs include Hanover TFT screens with ‘next stop’ message and audio announcements and full colour Hanover LED destination equipment, both of which are particularly helpful to visually or hearing impaired passengers. A Synectics CCTV system is fitted for both passenger and driver safety and to provide evidence for insurance claims and this is also used as a route familiarization training aid for drivers.
Seating capacity is 29 on Esteban Civic V3 seats, which are now the company’s standard choice, with embossed leather headrests. There are also two tip-ups in the wheelchair/buggy space immediately behind the driver which is accessed using a simple fold-out wheelchair ramp. Along with a very low entry height and its kneeling capability, this makes the Solo SR easily accessible by passenger of all levels of mobility.
One now standard feature of the Solo SR that particularly appealed to Courtney Buses was the EcoDrive driver behaviour monitoring system. Company Training Manager, Barry Catlin, said: “Many drivers acknowledge the benefit of the EcoDrive dashboard with its easy-to-read bars, economy dial and driver skill counter giving them instant feedback on their driving style and assisting them in maintaining a good driving standard. As a result they are providing a smoother and more comfortable journey for our passengers and assisting in reducing fuel consumption.”
As with most of their fleet, Courtney Bus has specified the new Solo SRs with Regenetac PPO technology enabling them to run on bio-fuels and which significantly reduces their CO² emissions. This was fitted in their own workshops following delivery of the buses. The company believes that by using this system they are operating the cleanest bus fleet in the country.
Power for the Solos is from the Mercedes-Benz OM904LA engine rated at 154 bhp (115 kW) and 610 Nm of torque. The Allison 2100 Series five-speed automatic transmission is fitted with a torque convertor, which helps improve fuel efficiency, as does the electro-magnetic retarder which operates automatically when the footbrake is applied.
Optare Sales Director John Horn said that he is delighted that the Solo SR is the choice of Courtney Buses for these services. “We have supplied a large number of Solos to this customer over the years and have a further five to deliver in the next few weeks as part of their ongoing fleet renewal programme. The model has proved popular with drivers and passengers, is very reliable, and is delivering excellent fuel economy.”
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Optare has begun delivering against an order for 18 of its Versa model to First Cymru for operation in South Wales.
Two versions of the lightweight midibus model are being supplied: nine are the 11.1 metre model and nine are the new low-weight 11.7 metre model, with seating capacities of 36 and 40 respectively.
A stunning new livery has been applied to the 11.7 metre Versas, which are already entering service on the X2 route providing a fast limited stop link between Porthcawl and Cardiff taking in Newton, Bridgend and Cowbridge. The 11.1 metre versions are in standard First colours and will go in to operation on the 63/63B Bridgend to Porthcawl service.
Commenting on the new Versas, Justin Davies, Managing Director of First Cymru, said: “We are thrilled to take delivery of these new vehicles. They are modern, spacious, comfortable, good to drive and offer our passengers an enhanced journey experience.
“These new buses are a great addition to our local business and will enable us to serve local people, connecting local communities, long into the future. We hope that people will get on board to try them!”
First have specified a high standard of passenger comfort on their new Versas with features such as leather-trimmed Esteban Civic V2 seats and free WiFi connectivity. There are two spacious wheelchair/buggy bays, one on each side of the bus, and which can be accessed immediately on entry by means of a robust ‘book leaf’ type fold-out ramp. Each of the wheelchair bays has three tip-up seats and Hanover LED destination equipment is fitted.
Power is provided by the six-cylinder Cummins ISBe engine, which is Euro 5 emissions compliant. This delivers a generous 201 bhp (150 kW) enabling the buses to cope easily with the hilly terrain along the routes.
Drivers are assisted in ensuring passenger safety and comfort along with better fuel efficiency by the fitment as standard of Optare’s Eco-Drive dashboard. This constantly monitors driving behaviour and presents the driver with helpful information on their performance in a simple-to-read visual format. Fuel economy is further enhanced by the integral lock-up torque converter in the Allison five-speed automatic transmission and the use of an electro-magnetic retarder activated automatically through the brake pedal.
John Horn, Optare Sales Director commented: “We’re proud to be a part of First’s strategy to introduce stylish, comfortable and environmentally friendly vehicles into its fleet in South Wales.
“Our fully integral models are designed from the outset to be incredibly strong and durable, but with significantly reduced overall weight and class leading cost per seat. The 11.7m derivatives of our Versa range have an unladen weight of less than 7,800kg and as a result, we’re sure that First will benefit from significantly enhanced fuel efficiency while their passengers enjoy exceptionally comfortable journeys.
“The striking exterior paint scheme perfectly complements Versa’s stylish lines and in combination with the spacious interior and leather seating these buses are sure to help to entice more car drivers to travel by bus.”
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Thames Travel, a subsidiary of the Go Ahead Oxford, has taken delivery of six of Optare’s Solo SR midibus model which are being used on five new routes in the Bicester area.
An important factor in choosing the Solo SR was the low emission levels of the Mercedes-Benz OM904LA engine which is Euro 5 compliant and meets the requirements of a low emission zone that’s scheduled to come into effect in the City of Oxford later this year.
Thames Travel General Manager John Hammond said, “We already have Optare Solos in our fleet and the modern looking image was just what we wanted for a series of new services we have just launched in the Bicester area.
“They are a proven design and their low emission characteristics are important, as some of the routes they will be used on serve Oxford where a low emission zone comes into force at the end of the year.
Availability was an issue too and Optare were able to meet a tight deadline to supply the vehicles in time for the launch of the new routes.”
Along with low emissions, the Mercedes-Benz engine is renowned for its good fuel efficiency. This is further enhanced by being matched to an Allison 2100 Series five-speed automatic transmission, which incorporates a lock-up torque converter in gears 3, 4 and 5 along, with a Klam electro-magnetic retarder automatically activated when braking, both of which contribute to reduced fuel consumption.
The 9.0 metre Solos have seating for 29, consisting of 23 fixed Esteban Civic V2 seats and six tip-ups, three in the wheelchair bay to the rear of the driver’s partition and three in the buggy space directly opposite. Hanover LED destination equipment is fitted to the front, nearside and rear.
Optare Sales Director, John Horn, said: “I’m very pleased that Optare was awarded this order by Go Ahead Oxford for their Thames Travel operation on the basis of good past experience with our products and the low emission levels of our Solo SR.
“Our ability to meet a demanding delivery schedule was also an important factor and we were able to do this as a result of the high levels of efficiency that we are now achieving at our Sherburn plant.”
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Newbury & District is the first operator to take delivery of the diesel-engined version of Optare’s specially designed 12.1 metre Versa school bus. Six have gone into service and will be used primarily on school contracts although the company may also operate them on its local services in the Newbury area.
In designing the 12.1 metre Versa for school work Optare made full use of the modular construction of the model to achieve the required length, and because the first examples were built as hybrid drive with a heavier mechanical pack and roof mounted super capacitors, a number of weight saving measures were also introduced, including using lighter-weight materials and fitting Rescroft CT Lite seats.
This enables up to 49 seated passengers to be carried and their safety is enhanced by each seat having a full 3-point lap and diagonal “all age” seat belt and by the fact that the model fully meets the R66 rollover regulations.
Simon Weaver, Managing Director, says: “This is a very modern and stylish looking bus that has been purpose designed to carry schoolchildren in comfort and safety, and which ensures that we fully meet our contractual obligations. The fact that we can also use these buses on our regular service work gives us added flexibility.”
The company has opted for the six-cylinder Cummins ISBe engine to power the Versas. At 201 bhp (150 kW) it has ample power to cope with local hilly conditions when fully laden and its maximum torque output of 750Nm makes move-offs easy in all load or road surface conditions.
An electro-magnetic retarder is fitted to provide smoother deceleration and braking together with reduced power consumption leading to improved fuel economy. The Allison 2100 Series five-speed automatic transmission has a lock-up torque convertor which also contributes to good fuel efficiency.
Optare’s sales director, John Horn, says: “Once again Newbury & District are taking our Versa model, this time our uniquely designed 12.1 metre school bus version. The vehicles are finished in a striking black livery with deeply tinted side glazing giving them a really classy appearance and they’ll not only provide safe and comfortable transport to and from school for young people in Berkshire, but will also deliver good performance and fuel economy for the operator.”
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Optare has formally handed over six of its Slimline Solo model to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) at an event at Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station.
SPT Assistant Chief Executive Eric Stewart received the Solos from John Horn, Optare’s sales director. Also present was John Henderson, managing director of Henderson Travel, who will operate the buses on behalf of SPT.
Mr Stewart said: “These buses are finished to the highest standard and I’m delighted that our passengers will benefit from these excellent facilities. Their low access capability means that they can be used by people of all mobility levels and the in-built CCTV system provides great peace of mind for those on board.”
John Horn added that he was delighted to be handing over the vehicles to SPT. “This is an established customer for our Solo product and this repeat order shows that the model is performing well and meeting both their operational requirements and the expectations of their passengers.”
The 7.2 metre Solos have been allocated to three rural routes for which the narrower 2.3 metre width of the SlimLine version is well suited. Even in its slimmer version the Solo SR has a passenger capacity of 23 on 21 fixed Ster 6MS seats and two tip-ups in the wheelchair bay.
Power is from the fuel efficient Mercedes-Benz OM904LA Euro five engine rated at 127 bhp (95kW). Fuel economy is further enhanced by the low weight of the bus, which is just 5480kg, the use of an electro-magnetic retarder, and the incorporation of a torque converter in the Allison 1000 Series five-speed automatic transmission. The resulting level of fuel economy makes the Solo viable even at times of the day when passenger loadings are light.
A full Actia telematics package fitted to each of the buses monitors systems performance and provides a remote diagnostics capability should a problem occur during service. It also supports the Optare EcoDrive™ dashboard through which driver performance is constantly monitored for real-time feedback leading to improved fuel efficiency and increased comfort and safety for passengers.
Part of the package includes an incident alert system. This enables the driver to simply press a button to both alert the traffic office to the problem, and automatically record CCTV footage on the hard drive for review when the bus returns to the depot.
Picture caption: Left to right: John Horn, Optare Sales Director; John Henderson, Managing Director of Henderson Travel; SPT Assistant Chief Executive Eric Stewart.
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Watford independent Mullany’s Coaches has taken delivery of a pair of Optare Solo SR models for use on its local services running in the Watford and Hemel Hempstead area.
The buses were required to replace time expired Solo models in the fleet and to support a growth in passenger numbers on the 318 route between Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley. A move to a 20 minute peak time frequency and the addition of a Sunday service led to the need to increase from two, to three buses on the route.
These changes were supported by a Local Sustainable Transport Fund grant obtained from Hertfordshire County Council. Mullany’s Coaches parent company, the JJ Kavanagh Group, also provided considerable investment to support the service development and vehicle replacement programme.
Mullany’s Coaches General Manager Tim Rampling said: “We chose the Solo SR because of our good experience with earlier models and its reputation for fuel efficiency. The new SR model has also got great eye-catching kerb appeal and we’re already getting positive comments from drivers and passengers about what some have described as the ‘wow’ factor!
“From an operational point of view we are always seeking to cut our costs and along with good fuel returns from the Mercedes engine, the Optare EcoDrive system will also help us by encouraging better driver performance, particularly in ways that improve fuel efficiency. This should also bring significant passenger benefits in terms of a more comfortable and safer travelling experience.”
The Solo SRs are the 9.7 metre model with seating for 37 on Ster seats plus up to eight standees at peak times. The low entry height, particularly when kneeling, and the simple fold-out wheelchair ramp, make the bus easy to use by the many passengers with reduced mobility who use the services.
Power is from the Euro 5 compliant Mercedes-Benz OM904LA engine. This delivers 154 bhp (115 kW) of power and 610 Nm of torque and is matched to an Allison 2100 Series five-speed automatic transmission. The lock-up torque convertor in gears 3, 4 and 5, along with a brake pedal activated electro-magnetic retarder, also contribute to better fuel returns.
John Horn, Optare Sales Director, commented: “We are very pleased to be supplying these new vehicles to Mullany’s Coaches, which will be the flagships of their growing fleet. Their good fuel efficiency, supported by our class-leading EcoDrive driver performance system, makes them viable to operate throughout the day even at times when passenger loadings are light. And the undoubted passenger appeal of this stylish model should help passenger numbers grow even more.”
Picture Caption: David Cheeseman, Optare Regional Sales Manager (left) hands over the buses to Tim Rampling, General Manager, Mullany’s Coaches.
Editors’ Note: Mullany’s Coaches is a subsidiary of the JJ Kavanagh Group, established in 1919 and now the largest privately owned coach company in Ireland.
Mullany’s Coaches operates a fleet of 30 service buses on local routes and school services from its base in Watford. It also runs a substantial coach fleet of up to 20 vehicles making it the largest independent operator in South West Hertfordshire.
At the Watford base it has a state-of-the-art workshop for the maintenance of its own fleet and which provides a range of services to local PSV operators including VOSA MoT inspections, pre-MoT inspections, and routine safety checks.
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Optare anticipates that the recent announcement by the Department for Transport of successful bidders for support for low carbon buses under Green Bus Fund Round 4 will lead to a significant number of orders for the Yorkshire bus maker.
The company’s Deputy Chief Executive Glenn Saint says that he welcomes the news that the government is making £11.6 million pounds available to support the introduction of a further 213 hybrid and all-electric buses into operation throughout England.
“In a statement from the Department of Transport, Optare is named as one of the manufacturers that will benefit from this latest round of the Fund,” he says. “And the list of successful councils and operating companies published by the DfT suggests that we are likely to secure substantial orders, particularly as we are now the UK’s leading manufacturer of both all-electric buses and single-deck diesel-electric hybrids.
“Following the DfT announcement, the City of York Council has already announced that it is to introduce a fleet of nine Optare all-electric buses into service with support from the Green Bus Fund. These will be operated by the City of York, First York Limited, and Blazefield subsidiary Yorkshire Coastliner Limited on local Park & Ride, university and new housing development services.
“The Green Bus Fund initiative is giving a major boost to the introduction of all-electric and diesel-electric hybrid buses into service in England and Optare is leading the way in their development,” adds Mr Saint.
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Penrith based Alba Travel have added another Optare Solo SR to their fleet for use on a new contract in the Lake District. Their choice of the 2.3 metre wide Slimline model reflects the narrow road conditions along most of the route the bus will follow.
The contract awarded by the Lake District National Park is for the X33 ‘Lakeland Explorer’ service which operates daily throughout the summer season. The service will start and end each day in Penrith, where the Solo will be based, and connects Keswick, Ambleside and Coniston with Ravenglass on the west coast where the famous narrow gauge railway is located.
Transport Manager of the family run firm, Michael Holmes, says that it’s a route that includes several tortuous sections of narrow Lakeland roads. “The slightly narrower width of this Solo SR will suit these conditions better than a full width bus,” he says. “Outside of the tourist season we will be using the bus on our local services and private work in the Penrith area.
“As with our earlier Solos, we’ve again specified ‘E’ leather seats to give our passengers a bit more comfort,” he adds. “There are 31 fixed Rescroft CT Lite seats which are fitted with 3-point seat belts for added safety and three tip-ups in the wheelchair/buggy bay.”
Power for the bus is from a Euro 5 compliant Mercedes-Benz OM 904LA engine delivering 154 bhp (115 kW) at 2200 rpm. This is matched to an Allison 2100 Series five-speed automatic transmission featuring a lock-up torque converter for increased fuel efficiency, which is also enhanced by an electro-magnetic retarder automatically activated when braking.
Other features include Mobitec LED destination equipment and a reversing camera and monitor, the latter being a standard feature on Alba Travel’s vehicles.
“We’re delighted to be again supplying Alba Travel with our Solo SR model following good experience with those we supplied in 2010,” says Optare Sales Director, John Horn.
“This attractively styled and compact bus – and particularly the narrower SlimLine version – is well suited to the type of services that this highly-regarded family firm runs in Cumbria, where roads can be quite narrow and traffic heavy during the summer months. Its easy access also makes it ideal for use by people of all levels of mobility.”
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Newbury & District is the first independent operator to take delivery of the 11.7 metre version of Optare’s Versa integral model, which was launched last year.
The company is using the vehicle on the 14 mile route 4 out of Newbury to Lambourn. This Monday to Saturday service is contracted through West Berkshire District Council and the high passenger capacity of the new Versa will allow for further growth in demand.
An entrance step that reduces to just 245 mm when kneeling makes the Versa very accessible for people with reduced mobility or mothers with pushchairs. A simple, manual fold-out ramp also provides easy access to the wheelchair/buggy bay, which is conveniently located to the rear of the right hand front wheelarch.
Power in the Versa is from the 6.7 litre six-cylinder Cummins ISBe Euro 5 engine rated at 201 bhp (150 kW) and which delivers 750 Nm of torque. This is matched to an Allison 2100 Series five-speed fully-automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter for increased fuel economy.
With a seating capacity of 44, plus standees, the model can carry as many passengers as a 12 metre single-decker but has an unladen weight of less than eight tonnes. Extensive in service trials have demonstrated that this low weight further enhances the already renowned fuel efficiency of the Versa. Along with its lower capital cost, the vehicle is particularly appealing to independent operators like Newbury & District who are looking for the lowest possible cost per seat in this class of vehicle.
Optare sales director John Horn says: “The high passenger capacity of our 11.7 metre Versa and its class-leading fuel economy make it a very attractive vehicle for services where demand is particularly high at peak times but may be lower in the middle of the day. It means that running a bus of this size remains viable throughout the day, even when passenger numbers are lower.
“Weight saving measures introduced last year during our development of an extended Versa platform for hybrid school buses were carried across to this model. The resulting low weight of less than eight tonnes contributes significantly to the exceptional fuel efficiency without compromising on the robustness and durability of Versa’s integral design.”
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