Post by matt west on Feb 9, 2009 21:25:34 GMT 1
Looks like Ross Travel has a brand new Optare Solo.
"The purchase of a fourth Optare Solo midibus by Yorkshire operator
Ross Travel Group marks their steady move towards running an all low-
floor fleet.
The family-run Featherstone- based firm, which this year marks 40
years in business, will put the 33-seater onto its 125 hourly service
and 144/146 services that run at twenty minute intervals between
Pontefract and Wakefield and Pontefract and Castleford respectively.
Like the Solos that went into service with Ross Travel in 2005 and
2007, the newest addition is a 9.5 metre model. However, the company
has decided to try the MAN engine option in the newest one as owner
Peter Ross prefers the use of EGR technology to achieve the Euro 4
emissions standard because this removes the need to use Adblue.
The engine is the MAN DO834 four-cylinder unit, which delivers 177
bhp (132 kW) at 2,400 rpm and 700 Nm of torque at 1600 rpm. This
provides ample power to cope with hills on the routes without
compromising on fuel consumption. The engine is matched to an Allison
2100 series five-speed automatic transmission with a lock-up torque
converter in gears 3, 4 and 5 for improved fuel economy.
Mr Ross says that Solo has proved a very suitable bus for the type of
local services they operate, particularly on the longer 125 and 144
runs. "They're popular with passengers," he says, "and our drivers
like them because they're quiet and comfortable.
"From a maintenance point of view we find them easy to work on," he
adds. "Everything is very accessible and even major components are
relatively easy to remove and replace. We have our own well-equipped
workshop at Featherstone and bring each of our buses in for safety
inspections every 14 days and our coaches every 28 days."
Like the earlier Solos, the newest addition to the 19-vehicle fleet
is a 9.5 metre long, standard-width (2.5 metre) model. It has 30
fixed Esteban Civic VO seats and three tip-ups in the
wheelchair/buggy bay. With standees the bus can carry up to 54 at
peak times yet is economical to operate when passenger loadings are
lower in the middle of the day.
As well as local commercially- run stage carriage services, Ross
Travel Group undertakes school contracts, private hires, excursions
and its own holiday programme. "
quote from ukbus (yahoo group)
cannot wate to get one on the 125/144
"The purchase of a fourth Optare Solo midibus by Yorkshire operator
Ross Travel Group marks their steady move towards running an all low-
floor fleet.
The family-run Featherstone- based firm, which this year marks 40
years in business, will put the 33-seater onto its 125 hourly service
and 144/146 services that run at twenty minute intervals between
Pontefract and Wakefield and Pontefract and Castleford respectively.
Like the Solos that went into service with Ross Travel in 2005 and
2007, the newest addition is a 9.5 metre model. However, the company
has decided to try the MAN engine option in the newest one as owner
Peter Ross prefers the use of EGR technology to achieve the Euro 4
emissions standard because this removes the need to use Adblue.
The engine is the MAN DO834 four-cylinder unit, which delivers 177
bhp (132 kW) at 2,400 rpm and 700 Nm of torque at 1600 rpm. This
provides ample power to cope with hills on the routes without
compromising on fuel consumption. The engine is matched to an Allison
2100 series five-speed automatic transmission with a lock-up torque
converter in gears 3, 4 and 5 for improved fuel economy.
Mr Ross says that Solo has proved a very suitable bus for the type of
local services they operate, particularly on the longer 125 and 144
runs. "They're popular with passengers," he says, "and our drivers
like them because they're quiet and comfortable.
"From a maintenance point of view we find them easy to work on," he
adds. "Everything is very accessible and even major components are
relatively easy to remove and replace. We have our own well-equipped
workshop at Featherstone and bring each of our buses in for safety
inspections every 14 days and our coaches every 28 days."
Like the earlier Solos, the newest addition to the 19-vehicle fleet
is a 9.5 metre long, standard-width (2.5 metre) model. It has 30
fixed Esteban Civic VO seats and three tip-ups in the
wheelchair/buggy bay. With standees the bus can carry up to 54 at
peak times yet is economical to operate when passenger loadings are
lower in the middle of the day.
As well as local commercially- run stage carriage services, Ross
Travel Group undertakes school contracts, private hires, excursions
and its own holiday programme. "
quote from ukbus (yahoo group)
cannot wate to get one on the 125/144
