Optare secures £3.3m bus contract

Optare has won a contract valued at £3.3m to supply Stagecoach with a mix of 33 Solo and Versa buses which will be delivered in 2013.

Chris Wise, the commercial director, said: “This repeat order results from the good reliability, fuel efficiency, and both driver and passenger acceptance of this and its predecessor model in a variety of demanding operating conditions.”

Optare has consolidated its operations from former sites in Rotherham, Crossgates and Blackburn at a new 140,000 sq ft base in Sherburn in Elmet.

Altogether, the company employs around 430 people.

The Optare Versa model weighs relatively little, which saves on fuel costs.

Optare has made a significant investment in new hybrid technology.

It has also invested in low carbon technology through the Government’s green bus fund.