The Optare Solo is a

low-floor Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i. ...

minibus A minibus, microbus, minicoach, or commuter (in Zimbabwe) is a passenger-carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, ...

midibus A midibus is a classification of single-decker minibuses which are generally larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single decker and can be anywhere between and long. While used in many parts of the world, the mi ...

with one or two doors manufactured by

Optare Switch Mobility (originally called Optare) is an English bus manufacturer based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. It is a subsidiary of Indian company Ashok Leyland. The company would be responsible for the EV operations of the group with ...

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 with kneeling suspension. In January 2012 Optare announced the end of production for the original Solo design with a modified Solo SR taking over. The original innovative design, featuring a front axle ahead of the entrance door, gained a

Millennium product The Millennium Product status was awarded by the Design Council to British products and companies which show "imagination, ingenuity and inspiration" as well as "innovation, creativity and design". Over 4,000 products were submitted, and 1,012 we ...

award, along with a Queen's Award for Enterprise. 3,857 original model Solos were built between 1998 and 2012.Optare Solo
Bus Lists on the Web As of April 2017, almost 1,500 Solo SRs had been built.
Bus Lists on the Web

Construction

The Solo is an integral

(as opposed to a separate chassis and body) built in a modular design, with steel frame and GRP panels. Detailed analysis and computer modelling of the design and any impacts of stresses it would see in service were undertaken by

finite element analysis The finite element method (FEM) is a popular method for numerically solving differential equations arising in engineering and mathematical modeling. Typical problem areas of interest include the traditional fields of structural analysis, heat ...

firm ''Analysis by Firth'', based in Wigan, UK. It is powered by a

Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz (), commonly referred to as Mercedes and sometimes as Benz, is a German luxury and commercial vehicle automotive brand established in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG (a Mercedes-Benz Group subsidiary established in 2019) is headquarte ...

OM904LA

engine An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy. Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power ...

, which produces or according to specification, and it is typically mated to an

Allison Allison may refer to: People * Allison (given name) * Allison (surname) (includes a list of people with this name) * Eugene Allison Smith (1922-1980), American politician and farmer Companies * Allison Engine Company, American aircraft engine ...

2000 automatic gearbox. Later, the options of a

Cummins Cummins Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines, filtration, and power generation products. Cummins also services engines and related equipment, including fuel systems, controls, air ...

ISBe 6-cylinder engine or a

MAN A man is an adult male human. Prior to adulthood, a male human is referred to as a boy (a male child or adolescent). Like most other male mammals, a man's genome usually inherits an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromo ...

engine became available. There was also the option of a 4-speed Allison AT545 gearbox. In 2005 a hybrid Solo was constructed, using a small diesel unit and an Eneco (now known as Traction Technology) battery propulsion unit. The Optare Solo is available in various lengths: , , and - all wide. The chassis type code of the Solo denotes the length – M780 corresponds to 7.8m, M850 to 8.5m, and so forth. However, the Cummins-powered Solos required extra rear bodywork in order to accommodate the larger engine, which increased the overall length by . This is reflected in the chassis code, so a Cummins-powered Solo was coded M810, M880, M950 or M1020. Along with the launch of the model, the Solo was also first offered with LED-type rear lights, as opposed to the standard rectangular clusters. Seating capacities range from 25 for an M780, 29 for an M850, 33 for M920 and 37 for an M990.

Original Variants

Slimline

A narrow-bodied version named the "Slimline" was launched in 2004 with the first examples entering service in August. It is 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 long version. The Optare Solo Slimline is a 25-seated low-floor bus to replace the

Optare MetroRider The Optare MetroRider was a midibus manufactured by Optare between 1989 and 2000. History Optare based the original design on the MCW Metrorider after it bought the rights from Metro Cammell Weymann after the latter decided to cease production. ...

. The compact size of an M780SL, with its

seating capacity Seating capacity is the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available, and limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile tha ...

of 25, has made it a popular choice for replacing earlier-generation

es, such as the

MCW Metrorider The MCW Metrorider, launched at the 1986 Motor Show, was a minibus designed built by Metro Cammell Weymann (MCW) between 1986 and 1989. Constructed in two lengths, 7.0 m and 8.4 m, the Metrorider was an integral bus, marking it out from its van ...

, and other van-based buses.

SE

In June 2006,

announced the arrival of another Solo model – the Solo SE. At just in length, it is the shortest Solo offered, and is capable of seating 23. It also uses a single-piece entrance door as an option. This is a variant of the Slimline – hence it is 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 long version of the SE. The first SE built, the former Optare demonstrator, entered service with Regal Busways, of

Essex Essex () is a Ceremonial counties of England, county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the Riv ...

, in September 2006. The company has since acquired a further four examples.

EV

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

Solo⁺

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 A low-floor bus is a bus or trolleybus that has no steps between the ground and the floor of the bus at one or more entrances, and low floor for part or all of the passenger cabin. A bus with a partial low floor may also be referred to as a low- ...

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. 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. IMG M920

Solo SR

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 is a Japanese multinational information technology and electronics corporation, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. The company was known as the Nippon Electric Company, Limited, before rebranding in 1983 as NEC. It provides IT and network soluti ...

, 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. In January 2012, Optare announced that the facelifted Solo SR would replace the standard Solo for both UK and export markets, with the standard design being withdrawn from sale. It was then 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.

Hybrid

The diesel-electric hybrid

single-decker bus A single-decker bus or single-decker is a bus that has a single deck for passengers. Normally the use of the term ''single-decker'' refers to a standard two-axled rigid bus, in direct contrast to the use of the term double-decker bus, which ...

had room for 53 passengers; its configuration can be changed to provide seating for up to 34 passengers plus one wheelchair with additional standing room. Its peak power demands are met by batteries that are recharged on-board by the diesel generator.

Operators

United Kingdom

The first Optare Solos entered service in 1998 with Wilts & Dorset, with the operator initially taking on 32 examples to convert its

Poole Poole () is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. Since 1 April 2019, the local authority is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Counc ...

bus services to low-floor operation. The company eventually took on a total of 85 Solos.

Arriva Arriva plc is a British multinational public transport company headquartered in Sunderland, England.FirstGroup FirstGroup plc is a British multi-national transport group, based in Aberdeen, Scotland.Go-Ahead Group,

Stagecoach Group Stagecoach Group is a transport group based in Perth, Scotland. It operates buses, express coaches and a tram service in the United Kingdom. History Stagecoach was born out of deregulation of the British express coach market in the early ...

, Wellglade Group and

Travel West Midlands National Express West Midlands (NXWM) is a bus operator in the West Midlands that operates services in Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton, and Solihull, as well as limited routes outside of the general area of Birmingham, s ...

made subsequent orders, with all having operated large fleets. Solos have been operated by Transport for London operators Arriva London,

Quality Line Quality Line was a bus company based in Epsom, England. A subsidiary of the RATP Group, Quality Line operated bus services throughout the South West London and Surrey area, with many under contract to Transport for London. It ceased operations ...

, Metrobus and Travel London.

Speedwellbus Speedwellbus (formerly Speedwell Private Hire) was a bus operator based in Hyde, Greater Manchester, England. It operated a fleet of 25 buses on commercial and contracted services. Formed in 2002, it ceased operating rather abruptly and unexpect ...

operated some in various liveries. A fleet of over 30 operated by LibertyBus is in use in

Jersey Jersey ( , ; nrf, Jèrri, label= Jèrriais ), officially the Bailiwick of Jersey (french: Bailliage de Jersey, links=no; Jèrriais: ), is an island country and self-governing Crown Dependency near the coast of north-west France. It is the ...

. Optare Solos are operated in Northern Ireland by Translink

Ulsterbus Ulsterbus is a public transport operator in Northern Ireland and operates bus services outside Belfast. It is part of Translink, the brand name for the subsidiary operating companies of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, which als ...

Malta

In 2011, Arriva Malta purchased nine Optare Solo Hybrid, registered as BUS 267 - BUS 275, for some of its routes in

Malta Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...

and

Gozo Gozo (, ), Maltese: ''Għawdex'' () and in antiquity known as Gaulos ( xpu, 𐤂𐤅𐤋, ; grc, Γαῦλος, Gaúlos), is an island in the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Republic of Malta. After ...

. These passed on to Malta Public Transport, but their used declined and, after summer 2015, they sporadically appeared on summer 2016 and summer 2017, before being withdrawn, and some used as staff bus in Floriana. Moreover, between 2014 and 2015, Malta Public Transport loaned 23 Optare Solo SR, registered as BUS 330 - BUS 352, to increase the carrying capacity. These buses were returned to the United Kingdom in September 2015.

Republic of Ireland

The Solo Slimline saw frequent use as a localized bus service from

Bray, County Wicklow Bray ( ) is a coastal town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is situated about south of Dublin city centre on the east coast. It has a population of 32,600 making it the ninth largest urban area within Ireland (at the 2016 census). Bray is ...

, operated by Finnegan Bray, and throughout the rest of the country by

Bus Éireann Bus Éireann (; "Irish Bus") is a state-owned bus and coach operator providing services throughout Ireland, with the exception of Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area, where bus services are provided by sister company Dublin Bus. It is a subsidi ...

Europe

Netherlands operator Syntus purchased 25 Solos in 2010. In 2015, Solo EVs were delivered to

Karlstad Karlstad (, ) is the 20th-largest city in Sweden, the seat of Karlstad Municipality, the capital of Värmland County, and the largest city in the province Värmland in Sweden. The city proper had 65,856 inhabitants in 2020 with 95,167 inhabita ...

in Sweden. In Hungary, Kapos Volán bought one, which is operating in Siófok.

Asia

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a List of cities in China, city and Special administrative regions of China, special ...

, AMS Public Transport (Chinese: ]) and Koon Wing Motor Limited (Chinese: ) respectively bought an Optare Solo SR for their public light bus service. Optare Solo SR was the first model of low floor public light bus in use in Hong Kong.

North America

In the United States of America, 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

) as the 30-LFN. Major purchasers were American Eagle Airlines and Miami-Dade Transit. NABI's sale of

coupled with poor sales led to its demise in the US market.

Middle East

In 2010, four Solos were purchased by Israeli operator Dan Bus Company. Solo buses were purchased by the RTA in

Dubai Dubai (, ; ar, wikt:دبي, دبي, translit=Dubayy, , ) is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates#Major cities, most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populated of the 7 ...

was to supply Dubai with 94 buses by quarter one of 2019 with a deal valued at approximately 18m British Pounds.

South Africa

In 2012, Optare delivered the first of 190 Solo SRs for

Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...

MyCiTi MyCiti is a bus rapid transit service with feeders, which forms part of a greater Integrated Public Transport driven economic development strategy of the City of Cape Town Municipality (CoCT) in South Africa. The service is being rolled out ac ...

bus rapid transit Bus rapid transit (BRT), also called a busway or transitway, is a bus-based public transport system designed to have much more capacity, reliability and other quality features than a conventional bus system. Typically, a BRT system includes ...

system. These were supplied as

knock-down kit A knock-down kit (also knockdown kit, knocked-down kit, or simply knockdown or KD) is a collection of parts required to assemble a product. The parts are typically manufactured in one country or region, then exported to another country or region ...

s and assembled locally.

Australasia

In New Zealand, Reesby Buses imported nine Solo M880s to operate in

Rotorua Rotorua () is a city in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island. The city lies on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua, from which it takes its name. It is the seat of the Rotorua Lakes District, a territorial authority encomp ...

. In Australia, Optare Solos have been purchased by SkyBus, Transdev Melbourne and

Ventura Bus Lines Ventura Bus Lines is a large bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, operating a fleet of 893 buses on 141 bus routes, including 2 SmartBus routes and 2 V/Line services. It commenced operations in December 1924. History Ea ...

in Melbourne,

Bus Queensland Bus Queensland was formed in April 2009 when the Pulitano Group purchased both the Garden City Sunbus and Kynoch Coaches operations. Kynoch Coaches was a family-owned business, previously owned by Jason Ward, operated urban, school and long-dis ...

Toowoomba Toowoomba ( , nicknamed 'The Garden City' and 'T-Bar') is a city in the Toowoomba Region of the Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia. It is west of Queensland's capital city Brisbane by road. The urban population of Toowoomba as of the 2021 ...

and Hamilton Island.Optare Solo for Hamilton Island, Australia
Optare 18 September 2015

References

External links

{{Optare timeline

Solo Solo or SOLO may refer to: Arts and entertainment Comics * ''Solo'' (DC Comics), a DC comics series * Solo, a 1996 mini-series from Dark Horse Comics Characters * Han Solo, a ''Star Wars'' character * Jacen Solo, a Jedi in the non-canonical ''S ...

Electric midibuses Hybrid electric buses Low-floor buses Low-entry buses Midibuses Minibuses Vehicles introduced in 1998 Battery electric buses