The Optare MetroRider was a midibus manufactured by Optare between 1989 and 2000.
| Optare MetroRider | |
|---|---|
.jpg){kind=spacer} Warrington Borough Transport MetroRider in Blackpool in June 2013 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Optare |
| Production | 1989 - 2000 |
| Assembly | Cross Gates |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors | 1 |
| Floor type | Step entrance |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Cummins |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | MCW Metrorider |
| Successor | Optare Solo |
History edit
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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 edit
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 edit
Two MetroRiders were produced for Stagecoach Cambus in Cambridge, powered by a dedicated CNG engine developed by Cummins.
References edit
- ^ Optare takes Metrorider Commercial Motor 3 August 1989
- ^ Companion to Road Passenger Transport History. Walsall: Roads & Road Transport History Association. 2013. p. 360. ISBN 9780955287633.
- ^ a b Jenkison, Keith (2020). The History of Optare. Stroud: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1445696942.
- ^ "Revived Optare sells Malaysia 1,000 buses". The Independent. 23 October 1994. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
- ^ "Electric buses in use in Oxford". Mass Transit. Vol. 20, no. 10. Springfield Information Services. October 1993. Retrieved 8 January 2023 – via General OneFile.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "The Islay Wave Bus - the world's first! | Greenpeace UK". Greenpeace.org.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
External links edit
Media related to Optare MetroRider at Wikimedia Commons
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