2008 sees the 10th anniversary of the superlative Optare Solo midibus in passenger service. Launched in 1997 as the replacement of Metrorider, the Solo not only won the "Millennium Product" and "The Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2000", but also becomes Optare's best selling product ever. Over 3,000 has been sold during the course of 10-year production, with customer base from the British "Big 5" - First, Stagecoach, National Express, Go-Ahead and Arriva, but also smaller groups and independent operators alike. It becomes the first midibus to seriously threaten the popular Dennis Dart since the latter went into production in 1989, and the Solo manage to out-compete the equivalent sized Darts in almost across the country, except London.
So it seems a good time to reflect this undoubtedly successful bus. Apart from the early production R-reg examples, of which all found their way with Wilts and Dorset, here are some Solos made into service at various different UK registration period.
S-reg (Sep 1998 - Feb 1999)
Optare managed to secure health orders from various customers early on, but non of which would have been as important as National Express Group, who ordered 10 for their Travel London operations. However, the Solo itself would, and still, never manage to dislodge Dart's popularity in London. Less than 100 Solos have made it to service in London Buses operations, and Travel London's Solos, after an eventful life in London, would be transferred into other NatEx operations. Travel Coventry's 3236, for instance, was formerly Travel London 236:
T-reg (Mar - Aug 1999)
Another early customer is Meteor Parking, who specified what would become one of the oddest looking Solos in service:
V-reg (Sep 1999 - Feb 2000)
Despite its lack of appeal in London, the Solo quick found favour across the country. One important customer was the then council-owned Notthingham City Transport.
W-reg (Mar - Aug 2000)
Originally the Solo was offered at two length - 8.5m and 9.2m. This is the 9.2m version.
X-reg (Sep 2000 - Feb 2001)
...whilst this is the short 8.5m version owned by West Yorkshire County Council, but operated by First West Yorkshire.
Y-reg (Mar - Aug 2001)
Meanwhile, the tickle of Solos into London continued...
51-reg (Sep 2001 - Feb 2002)
As Optare made a major breakthrough by winning an initial order of 24 Solos from Stagecoach. 47001 is the first of the line:
02-reg (Mar - Aug 2002)
First, however, is a much earlier customer, who got their first Solos 2 years before. Eventually they would built up a substantial fleet across Britain.
52-reg (Sep 2002 - Feb 2003)
Solos success, as mentioned, was never realised in London at all. This example, new to Epsom Buses near the end of 2002, is amazing one of the last Solos bought for London Buses services at the moment.
03-reg (Mar - Aug 2003)
Stagecoach's next batch of Solos would be bought for a high profile of service, branded as Corby Star for town service in Corby. Solos become Stagecoach's standard minibus, and they would build up a fleet of over 500 Solos across Britain by 2007.
53-reg (Sep 2003 - Feb 2004)
Built as the Metrorider's successor, the Solo still retain some family resemblance:
04-reg (Mar - Aug 2004)
The Solo is also preferred by many local councils. YN04XYY is owned by Lancashire County Council, and seen operated by Kirby Lonsdale Mini Coaches on the Lune Valley services.
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本帖最後由 NV58 於 2008-3-8 00:22 編輯 ]
外地巴士討論 (B5)
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Gavin
