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 rear wheel wheelarch extensions. 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.[6] 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.[7][8] 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.

The diesel-electric hybrid single-decker bus 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.

A battery electric variant of the Solo SR, with a maximum battery capacity of 135 kWh, was launched by Switch Mobility in 2023. The first six Solo SR EVs entered service with Translink Ulsterbus for use in Coleraine, with two of the six being allocated for Giant's Causeway shuttle services.[11]

CT Plus Solo M960 in July 2014

The first Optare Solos entered service in 1998 with Wilts & Dorset, with the operator initially taking on 32 examples to convert its Poole bus services to low-floor operation. The company eventually took on a total of 85 Solos.[13] Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, Stagecoach Group, Wellglade Group and Travel West Midlands made subsequent orders, with all having operated large fleets. Solos have been operated by Transport for London operators Arriva London, Quality Line, Metrobus and Travel London. Speedwellbus operated some in various liveries. 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.[14]

In 2011, Arriva Malta purchased nine Optare Solo Hybrid, registered as BUS 267 - BUS 275, for some of its routes in Malta and Gozo. These were passed on to Malta Public Transport, but their use declined and, after summer 2015, they sporadically appeared in summer 2016 and summer 2017, before being withdrawn, and some were used as staff buses 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.

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.[15][13] In 2015, Solo EVs were delivered to Karlstad in Sweden.[16] In Hungary, Kapos Volán bought one, which is operating in Siófok.

Optare Solo SR 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 was the first 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.[17][13]

Solo buses were purchased by the RTA in Dubai.[18] Optare was to supply Dubai with 94 buses by quarter one of 2019 with a deal valued at approximately 18m British Pounds.

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.[19][20][21]

In New Zealand, Reesby Buses imported nine Solo M880s to operate in Rotorua.[22][13][23] In Australia, Optare Solos have been purchased by SkyBus, Transdev Melbourne and Ventura Bus Lines in Melbourne, Bus Queensland in Toowoomba and Hamilton Island.[24][25][26]