Optare : Bus company invests £4 million in Yorkshire

Bus company Transdev have started to take delivery of their £4 million order of new buses which have allbeen designed and manufactured in Yorkshire at innovative bus specialists Optare. The 28 single deck Versa and Solo buses, which pride themselves on having the very latest on-board technology, will go into service across Yorkshire and Lancashire from the end of June.
Over the past 12 months Transdev have made extensive investments in services, and have announced their commitment to improving public transport across both counties by leading with ground-breaking innovations such as contactless payment options and empowering drivers to use sat-nav to speed up express bus journeys.
The customer experience will be enhanced further on these new buses as users can take advantage of superfast free WIFI, next stop announcements, USB power points at every seat, new comfortable seats with leather headrests, and the pioneering use of 'countdown' destination displays, letting people know exactly when the bus will depart.

Alex Hornby, CEO at Transdev, said:
'It is vital that our products reflect customers' expectations and needs. Their views have been crucial in developing these new buses and our new brands, with the first four buses introducing The Keighley Bus Company, and more relevant, local identities will be unveiled shortly. But this isn't just a name change - it's all part of us positioning our product to fit the needs of the modern traveller and to attract more people to the bus. This £4 million investment in Yorkshire manufacturing and new, better buses across the north is all part of our aim to become, quite simply, the amazing bus company for our teams and our customers.'
Robert Drewery, Commercial Director, Optare, commented:
'We are delighted to continue our long standing relationship with Transdev and support them in their mission to become 'the amazing bus company' by providing more high specification Optare buses that will operate close to where they are designed and manufactured in Sherburn in Elmet.'
A further order for 10 double deck buses for the Yorkshire Coastliner operation, to be introduced later this year, will be announced shortly.