37 Optares for Ulsterbus . . .

Northern Ireland’s Ulsterbus has ordered 37 Optares, including ten 11.7m Versas and 27 9.2m Solo SRs, all fitted with Mercedes-Benz engines coupled with Allison T260 gearboxes. All vehicles in the £4.9m deal will meet Euro6 standards. The Versa deliveries will commence in August 2014 with the Solos to follow in September 2014. They will be used on the operator’s Metro services in Belfast.

. . . and 17 Solo electrics for Nottingham

Optare has also received an order for 17 Solo electric buses at a value of £3.6m from Nottingham City Council. The order was partially funded by the fourth round of the Government’s Green Bus Fund. Delivery of the vehicles will commence in July 2014.