Optare MetroRider

The Optare MetroRider was a midibus manufactured by Optare between 1989 and 2000.

Optare MetroRider
Warrington Borough Transport MetroRider in Blackpool in June 2013
Overview
ManufacturerOptare
Production1989 - 2000
AssemblyCross Gates
Body and chassis
Doors1
Floor typeStep entrance
Powertrain
EngineCummins
Chronology
PredecessorMCW Metrorider
SuccessorOptare Solo

History
Optare MetroRider rear

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.[1] It was launched in November 1989, with 1,159 produced before it was succeeded by the Optare Solo in 2000.[2][3]

The MetroRider was an integral bus, with the chassis and body constructed as a single structure. It was sold abroad in kit form, in countries such as Malaysia.[4] Four electric MetroRiders were sold to the Oxford Bus Company in 1993 and two compressed natural gas powered versions were sold to Stagecoach Cambus in 1996.[3][5][6]

Electric version
Electric Optare MetroRider in Oxford

An electric version of the MetroRider was produced in 1993. The transport authority placed four vehicles into service on a city centre circular service in Oxford. They were operated initially by the Oxford Bus Company but later briefly passed to Stagecoach Group before withdrawal owing to a cessation of subsidy. They were later used on Jersey and Islay.[7]

Natural gas version

Two MetroRiders were produced for Stagecoach Cambus in Cambridge, powered by a dedicated CNG engine developed by Cummins.

References
  1. Optare takes Metrorider Commercial Motor 3 August 1989
  2. Companion to Road Passenger Transport History. Walsall: Roads & Road Transport History Association. 2013. p. 360. ISBN 9780955287633.
  3. Jenkison, Keith (2020). The History of Optare. Stroud: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1445696942.
  4. "Revived Optare sells Malaysia 1,000 buses". The Independent. 23 October 1994. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  5. "Electric buses in use in Oxford". Mass Transit. Vol. 20, no. 10. Springfield Information Services. October 1993. Retrieved 8 January 2023 – via General OneFile.
  6. "Natural gas-powered Optare buses for Cambridge". Energy Report. Vol. 23, no. 6. Springfield Information Services. June 1996. Retrieved 8 January 2023 – via General OneFile.
  7. "The Islay Wave Bus - the world's first! | Greenpeace UK". Greenpeace.org.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2010.

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