Optare Versa

Last updated

Optare Versa
Arriva bus 2985 (YJ09 LBK), Showbus rally 2009 (cropped).jpg
Arriva Midlands Versa at Showbus Rally in 2009 (pre-facelift)
Overview
Manufacturer Optare
Production2007–2018
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor type Low floor (outside UK)
Low entry (inside UK)
Powertrain
Engine Cummins ISBe
MAN
Mercedes-Benz OM904
Capacity36-57 seated
Transmission Allison 2100
Dimensions
Length10,400 to 12,100 mm (34 ft 1 in to 39 ft 8 in)
Width2,510 mm (8 ft 3 in)
Height2,840 mm (9 ft 4 in)
Chronology
Successor Switch E1

The Optare Versa is a low-floor midibus that was manufactured by Optare at its Sherburn-in-Elmet factory. In total 883 were produced between 2007 and 2018. [1]

Contents

Description

First Manchester Optare Versa Hybrid in April 2013 (second facelift) First Manchester 49229 YJ12GXW (8685787863).jpg
First Manchester Optare Versa Hybrid in April 2013 (second facelift)

Optare designed the Versa to fill a gap in its bus product range between the larger Tempo full-size single-decker bus and the smaller Solo minibus. Some operators of the longest of Optare's minibus-derived Solo models commented that the 7,000 mm wheelbase was too long, reducing manoeuvrability, which resulted from the Solo's front axle being ahead of the passenger entrance. It was officially launched at the Euro Bus Expo 2006 at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham in November 2006, with the first order of 25 buses being placed by Stagecoach. [2] [3] [4]

The Versa, with its entrance ahead of the front axle, considerably reduces the wheelbase, to either 5,130 mm or 5,820 mm (depending upon whether the overall length is 10,300 mm or 11,000 mm respectively). It is designed to seat between 36 and 40 passengers. The Versa has a typical Optare design, with a swooping roof line, large glazed area and swept-back front which takes many of its styling cues from the Solo, but with a more modern, updated appearance.

Discontinuation

Following the restructuring of Optare in November 2020 and the launch of Switch Mobility the Versa was dropped from Optare's line-up in favour of the Metrocity. [5] [6] [7] The last Versas were built in 2018.

Hybrid electric version - Optare Versa Hybrid

In 2010, a hybrid electric version was introduced with the first 68 ordered by Transport for Greater Manchester. Of these, 20 were introduced on the FirstBus operated Metroshuttle routes in November 2010, while others were operated by Maytree Travel. [8] [9]

Electric version - Optare Versa EV

In 2012, an electric version was introduced with Travel DeCourcey ordering three in 2010, entering service on the Coventry Park & Ride. The Park and Ride trend was continued with First York purchasing 12 for its York Park & Ride services between 2014 and 2015. [10] [11] [12] Transport for Greater Manchester introduced three on its Metroshuttle services. [13] [14]

Operators

United Kingdom

The first Optare Versas entered service in October 2007 with Arriva Shires & Essex. [15] Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, Rotala, Yorkshire Tiger, Stagecoach Group, Wellglade Group ,Transdev Blazefield and Translink Northern Ireland (37 buses) have all been purchasers. It has been operated by Transport for London operators East London, London United, NSL Buses, Quality Line and Selkent. [1] The Versa has proved popular with independent operators - such as Fleet Buzz - particularly in East Anglia, in the North West of England and also in Wales.

Australasia

In New Zealand Reesby Buses have purchased three Versas from the Optare. [16] [17] They are joined by Ritchies Transport Holdings, who purchased 7 from Nottingham City Transport in England in late 2013.

India

An electric Optare Versa was exhibited at the Bus and Special Vehicles Show in Delhi in 2015. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Switch Mobility</span> British bus manufacturer

Switch Mobility is a British bus manufacturer based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. It is a subsidiary of Indian company Ashok Leyland. The company is responsible for the EV operations of the group with Ashok Leyland focusing on its core business of diesel-powered vehicles as well as work on alternative fuels like compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro400</span> Low-floor double-decker bus chassis and bodywork

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 is a twin-axle low-floor double-decker bus that was built by the British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis between 2005 and 2018. It replaced the Alexander ALX400. In 2014, the Enviro400 was succeeded by the updated Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC and production of the classic Enviro400 ceased in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Optare Solo</span> Low floor minibus/midibus, built since 1998

The Switch Solo is a low-floor minibus/midibus with one or two doors manufactured by Switch Mobility in the United Kingdom since 1998. The Solo name is a play on its low-floor status, the manufacturer marketing its vehicle as having an entrance that is "so low" from the floor, namely 200 mm (8 in) with kneeling suspension. In January 2012, Optare announced the end of production for the original Solo design with a modified Solo SR taking over.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free buses in Greater Manchester</span>

Free bus is a zero-fare bus system that operates in Greater Manchester. The system was first introduced in Manchester city centre in 2002, with three routes linking the city's major thoroughfares and stations with its main commercial, financial and cultural districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Optare Tempo</span> Full-size rigid single-deck bus built by Optare

The Optare Tempo is an integral low-floor, heavy duty, full-size rigid single-deck bus manufactured by Optare and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the Optare Excel. It is designed as a lightweight bus, to use less fuel than traditional heavy duty integral rigids. As of July 2017, 233 had been built, including 27 Tempo SRs. The Tempo SR has since been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the Optare MetroCity, although production of the Tempo SR continues for the Australian market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnley Bus Company</span> Transdev-owned bus operator in England

The Burnley Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackburn Bus Company</span> Transdev-owned bus operator

The Blackburn Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach Merseyside</span> Bus operator in Merseyside, England

Stagecoach Merseyside is a major operator of bus services in the city of Liverpool and the surrounding Merseyside region. It is a sub-division of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach South West</span>

Stagecoach South West is a bus operator providing services in Devon and East Cornwall along with coach services to Bristol. It is a subsidiary of Stagecoach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkshire Coastliner</span> Bus operator in North Yorkshire, England

Yorkshire Coastliner is a bus company that operates both local and regional bus services in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keighley Bus Company</span> Transdev-owned bus operator

The Keighley Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Preston park and ride</span>

Preston park and ride is a park-and-ride scheme in the city of Preston in Lancashire, England, operated by both Rotala subsidiary Preston Bus and Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Team Pennine</span> Transdev-owned bus operator

Team Pennine operates both local and regional bus services in West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenvale Transport</span> Bus operator in Liverpool, Merseyside, England

Glenvale Transport (GTL) was a bus company that operated services in Liverpool between July 2001 and July 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumfybus</span> English bus company

Cumfybus is a bus company based in Southport, Merseyside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright StreetLite</span> Low floor single decker bus

The Wright StreetLite is a low-floor midibus introduced by Wrightbus in 2010. It was originally available in only one body style before the door forward and StreetLite Max variants were introduced in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Production of all variants of the StreetLite was briefly suspended due to Wrightbus entering administration in September 2019, with complete removal from the product line in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Switch Metrocity</span> Integral midibus manufactured by Switch Mobility since 2013

The Switch Metrocity is an integral midibus manufactured by Switch Mobility since 2013. Originally aimed at the London market, the Metrocity is based on the Optare Versa which was introduced in 2009. In the UK market, longer variants of the Metrocity have replaced the Optare Tempo SR. As at August 2018, over 250 had been built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright StreetDeck</span> Low-floor double-decker bus on integral chassis

The Wright StreetDeck is an integral double-decker bus manufactured by Wrightbus since 2014, originally delivered as standard with a Daimler OM934 diesel engine. Hybrid-electric, full-electric and hydrogen-powered variants have subsequently been produced. Production of the StreetDeck range was briefly suspended when Wrightbus entered administration in September 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Switch Metrodecker</span> British-built model of double-decker bus, built since 2014

The Switch Metrodecker is an integral twin-axle double-decker bus produced by British bus manufacturer Switch Mobility since 2014. The bus bears resemblance to the Switch Metrocity, sharing similar interior and exterior features. The MetroDecker was designed as the successor to the Optare Olympus and Optare OmniDekka double-deckers, which were both discontinued in 2011, however unlike these, the MetroDecker is only available in integral form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flyer (bus service)</span>

Flyer is the brand name of a trio of local bus services, which link Leeds Bradford Airport with the cities of Bradford and Leeds, and towns of Harrogate and Otley.

References

  1. 1 2 Optare Versa Bus Lists on the Web
  2. Stylish new bus from Optare Bus & Coach Professional 1 November 2006
  3. Stagecoach places £9m order for 100 new buses Stagecoach Group 7 November 2006
  4. Stagecoach orders 100 from Optare Bus & Coach Professional 15 November 2006
  5. Dougall, Emily (1 December 2020). "Optare becomes Switch Mobility as parent company Ashok Leyland unveils global electric vehicle plans". CBW. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  6. "Current Electric Vehicles | Switch Mobility". www.switchmobility.tech. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  7. "Our Vehicles". Optare. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  8. Freedom of the city with Manchester Metroshuttle Archived 30 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine 2 November 2010
  9. Manchester 9 million hybrid school fleet Bus & Coach Professional 26 April 2012
  10. Electric Versas for York - First operating six Optare Versa EVs on new Park and Ride Bus & Coach Buyer 20 June 2014
  11. More Versa EVs for York P+R Bus & Coach Buyer 26 May 2015
  12. More electric Versas for York Optare 19 May 2015
  13. Free city centre Metroshuttle goes electric Optare 31 July 2014
  14. Electric Versas for Manchester Bus & Coach Professional 7 August 2014
  15. First Versas for Arriva Bus & Coach Professional 4 January 2008
  16. Reesby Buses Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  17. Versa makes savings in New Zealand Bus & Coach Buyer 8 August 2013.
  18. "Ashok Leyland Optare Versa EV electric bus unveiled - Optare Versa EV electric bus". The Economic Times. Retrieved 27 March 2024.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Optare Versa at Wikimedia Commons