First Production Optare Solo SR enters service

[Davidc]

Preston Bus have become the first operator to place an Optare Solo SR into service. PN08SVK, fleet number 1, entered service on Monday (19th May) on one of the 2 park&ride routes that Preston Bus operate.

davidsnonrailwaypics.fotopic.net/p50611729.html

8 are due altogether and are all to be put into service on the 2 P&R routes. These will replace the current P&R Solos which will be cascaded into the normal fleet replacing the last of the Metroriders.

David.c

[topman]

A somewhat squashed Versa?

Don;t look anywhere near as good as the old Solo if you ask me, just needed a little updating thats all, as for what they've done to it now i find it rather ugly. I never liked the look of the Versa.

Hope its got right engine.

[kendall17]

May 24, 2008 22:50:32 GMT 1 topman said:

A somewhat squashed Versa?

well thats what it is, when producing a brand you can do with lots of buses that look the same i.e wright eclipses. that solo sr looks great IMO and hope it does take off as a product!

[topman]

It looks to jazzy and bulky at the front I think. They should have stuck with a successful design like the older style Solo, would have worked wonders with a LITTLE bodywork remodeling. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Plus is the Versa really the midibus of choice?

I would certainly say that the Solo was the minibus of choice.