Optare MetroRider
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox automobile
|name = Optare MetroRider
|image = Warrington Borough Transport 112 S112GUB (9127274288).jpg
|caption = Warrington Borough Transport MetroRider in Blackpool in June 2013
|manufacturer = Optare
|production = 1989 - 2000
|assembly = Cross Gates
|capacity =
|length =
|width =
|height =
|floortype = Step entrance
|doors = 1
|engine = Cummins
|related =
|predecessor = MCW Metrorider
|successor = Optare Solo
}}
The Optare MetroRider is a midibus that was manufactured by Optare between 1989 and 2000.
History
{{stack| File:Optare Metrorider, Blackpool, N589 GRN (7534469090).jpg | float=right }}
Optare based the original design on the MCW Metrorider after it bought the rights from Metro Cammell Weymann after the latter decided to cease production.[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/3rd-august-1989/19/optare-takes-metrorider Optare takes Metrorider] Commercial Motor 3 August 1989 It was launched in November 1989, with 1,159 produced before it was succeeded by the Optare Solo in 2000.{{cite book|title=Companion to Road Passenger Transport History|date=2013 |publisher=Roads & Road Transport History Association|location=Walsall|isbn=9780955287633|page=360}}{{cite book|last1=Jenkison|first1=Keith|title=The History of Optare|date=2020|publisher=Amberley Publishing|location=Stroud|isbn=978-1445696942}}
The MetroRider was an integral bus, with the chassis and body constructed as a single structure. It was sold abroad in kit form, in countries such as Malaysia.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/revived-optare-sells-malaysia-1000-buses-1444450.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/revived-optare-sells-malaysia-1000-buses-1444450.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Revived Optare sells Malaysia 1,000 buses|work=The Independent |date=23 October 1994 |access-date=24 October 2010}} Four electric MetroRiders were sold to the Oxford Bus Company in 1993 and two compressed natural gas powered versions were sold to Stagecoach Cambus in 1996.{{cite magazine |author=|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A16113614/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=fb4716f2 |title=Electric buses in use in Oxford |date=October 1993|magazine=Mass Transit|publisher=Springfield Information Services|volume=20|issue=10|access-date=8 January 2023|url-access=subscription |via=General OneFile}}{{cite magazine |author=|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A18583999/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c7d007b5 |title=Natural gas-powered Optare buses for Cambridge |date=June 1996|magazine=Energy Report|publisher=Springfield Information Services|volume=23|issue=6|access-date=8 January 2023|url-access=subscription |via=General OneFile}}
Electric version
File:Oxford Electric Bus Optare MetroRider.jpg
An electric version of the MetroRider was produced in 1993. The transport authority placed four vehicles into service on a city centre circular service in Oxford. They were operated initially by the Oxford Bus Company but later briefly passed to Stagecoach Group before withdrawal owing to a cessation of subsidy. They were later used on Jersey and Islay.{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/the-islay-wave-bus-the-worlds-first |title=The Islay Wave Bus - the world's first! | Greenpeace UK |publisher=Greenpeace.org.uk |access-date=24 October 2010}}
{{Clear}}
Natural gas version
Two MetroRiders were produced for Stagecoach Cambus in Cambridge, powered by a dedicated CNG engine developed by Cummins.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Optare MetroRider}}
{{Optare timeline}}
Category:Vehicles introduced in 1989
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