Renowned UK bus manufacturer, Optare, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland – the world’s 4th largest bus manufacturer, launched the MetroDecker, its exciting new double decker bus in London on 21 May 2014 at the Transport Museum in Covent Garden.

The launch was led by the Minister of State for Transport, Baroness Kramer, Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Letwin and Ministers of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change Gregory Barker and Baroness Verma, Nirj Deva, MEP for South of England, and London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport Isabel Dedring. Leading members of the business community local and international media and representatives from the diplomatic community also attended the launch.

Speaking at the event Baroness Susan Kramer commented that the new bus was a prime example of Britain and India working together. Furthermore she commended Optare on its real achievement in reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. She complimented the Double Decker’s attractive new design, its accessibility especially for disabled passengers combined with breakthrough electrical vehicle technology.

Mr. Gopichand Hinduja, Co-Chairman of the Hinduja Group reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to both India and the UK: the Hinduja Group values the UK’s manufacturing excellence, technology and innovation and sees the investment in Optare as the launch-pad for further expansion into Europe and beyond. Mr. Hinduja also stated how the Group has always been on the lookout for enhancing Ashok Leyland’s capabilities in design, engineering and innovation for commercial vehicle sector, acquired engine technology from Japan and Italy, transmission technology from Germany and design capability from other European and Japanese sources.
 
Enrico Vassallo, CEO of Optare praised the Metro Decker Bus as it represented an evolution of Optare design and quality standards’ and excellence.