Optare Solo

Stagecoach South West Solo Slimline in Exeter in July 2006

A narrow-bodied version named the "Slimline" was launched in 2004 with the first examples entering service in August. It is 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in) wide, and identifiable by small wheelarch extensions mounted to the rear. Available across all lengths except the M990, the Slimline is identified by having an SL-suffix in the chassis code, e.g. M780SL for a 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) long version. The Optare Solo Slimline is a 25-seated low-floor bus to replace the Optare MetroRider.

The compact size of an M780SL, with its seating capacity of 25, has made it a popular choice for replacing earlier-generation minibuses, such as the MCW Metrorider, and other van-based buses.

First South West Solo SE at Penzance station in June 2015

In June 2006, Optare announced the arrival of another Solo model – the Solo SE. At just 7.1 m (23 ft 4 in) in length, it is the shortest Solo offered, and is capable of seating 23.[5] It also uses a single-piece entrance door as an option. This is a variant of the Slimline – hence it is 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in) wide, but noticeably the rear track has been reduced compared to previous Slimline models, eliminating the need for wheelarch extensions on the rear of the bus. Optare also plans to produce a 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) long version of the SE.

The first SE built, the former Optare demonstrator, entered service with Regal Busways, of Essex, in September 2006. The company has since acquired a further four examples.

In March 2009, Optare launched the all-electric version of the Solo, the Solo EV.[6][7] The vehicle's top speed is limited to 90 km/h (56 mph). Since the summer of 2013, the vehicle uses a high-efficiency MAGTEC P180 Permanent Magnet Motor-Gearbox rated at 150 kW and powered by two banks of Valence lithium-ion phosphate batteries. The two packs work in parallel and provide 307 V with a total capacity of 92 kWh.

Courtney Buses Solo SR in Wokingham in July 2014

Arriva Kent & Sussex Solo SR rear in Tunbridge Wells in April 2009

In October 2007 Optare unveiled the Solo SR at the Coach & Bus Show. It is a completely-restyled version of the Solo drawing styling features from the Versa, such as the curved side windows and sweeping roof (with the destination screen and air conditioning unit underneath). Some features of the Solo such as the curved front windscreen and the unusual chassis layout, with the front wheels ahead of the doorway, were retained. Another new unusual feature to the Solo SR is the lack of a destination box on the standard model. However, Optare offers this as an option to individual customer specification.[8]

In January 2012, Optare announced that the facelifted Solo SR would replace the standard Solo, with the standard design being withdrawn from sale.

In November 2008 the 'new' Optare unveiled the Solo⁺ – a completely restyled variant to celebrate ten years of the Solo as a new low-entry bus and was launched at the Euro Bus Expo 2008. It shared the same styling with the Rapta, which was launched at the same show. It sees the return of the flat side windows and roof as well as a steeper front end with an integral destination box. Proposed options include a full electric drive.

However, the plan of producing the Solo⁺ was dropped afterwards.[9] The new product met with a poor market response and never made it beyond the prototype stage. The further development required to make the product an improvement on previous models was possibly deemed to be too great (and costly), the plans being shelved.

The 2012 Solo SR was introduced in 2012 with the original Solo design retired. It is available in 7.1 m, 7.8 m, 8.9 m and 9.6 m variants, all available in the Slimline (2.35 m wide) version. 8.9 m and 9.6 m models are available in the wider 2.5 m body width. All 2012 Solo SRs feature curved side glazing and high specification interiors allowing up to 37 seats in the longest derivative.

Some of the bodywork components had been redesigned to take advantage of the benefits achieved on the recently released Tempo SR design which reduced both weight and cost and further improve fuel economy.

Travel London Solo M850 in July 2008

The first Optare Solos entered service in 1998 with Wilts & Dorset. Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, Stagecoach Group, Wellglade Group and Travel West Midlands all having operated large fleets. It has been operated by Transport for London operators Arriva London, Quality Line, Metrobus and Travel London. A fleet of over 30 operated by LibertyBus is in use in Jersey.[2][3] Optare Solos are operated in Northern Ireland by Translink Ulsterbus.

The Solo Slimline saw frequent use as a localized bus service from Bray, County Wicklow, operated by Finnegan Bray, and throughout the rest of the country by Bus Éireann.

Netherlands operator Syntus purchased 25 Solos in 2010.[10] In 2015, Solo EVs were delivered to Karlstad in Sweden.[11] In Hungary, Kapos Volán bought one, which is operating in Siófok.

Optare Solo in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, AMS Public Transport (Chinese: 進智公交) and Koon Wing Motor Limited (Chinese: 冠榮車行) respectively bought an Optare Solo SR for their public light bus service. Optare Solo SR is the first, and so far the only model of low floor public light bus in use in Hong Kong.

Miami-Dade County North American Bus Industries 30-LFN (2 doors) in May 2013

In the United States, a left hand drive version of the Solo was sold from 2003 to 2005 by North American Bus Industries (which at the time owned Optare) as the 30-LFN. Major purchasers were American Eagle Airlines and Miami-Dade Transit. NABI's sale of Optare coupled with poor sales led to its demise in the US market.

In 2010, four Solos were purchased by Israeli operator Dan Bus Company.[12]

In 2012, Optare delivered the first of 190 Solo SRs for Cape Town's MyCiTi bus rapid transit system. These were supplied as knock-down kits and assembled locally.[13][14][15]

In New Zealand, Reesby Buses imported nine Solo M880s to operate in Rotorua.[16][17] In Australia, Optare Solos have been purchased by Skybus Super Shuttle, Transdev Melbourne and Ventura Bus Lines in Melbourne, Bus Queensland in Toowoomba and Hamilton Island.[18][19][20]