Optare Prisma
{{Short description|Single-deck bus body on Mercedes-Benz O405 chassis}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox automobile
|name = Optare Prisma
|image = Optare Prisma 1.jpg
|caption = First Manchester Optare Prisma bodied Mercedes-Benz O405 at Eccles Interchange in December 2007
|manufacturer = Optare
|assembly = Cross Gates, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
|production = 1995–1998
|capacity = 49–54 seated, 23 standing
|length = {{convert|11.6|m}}
|width = {{convert|2.5|m}}
|height = {{convert|3.1|m}}
|floortype = Step entrance
|doors = 1
|weight =
|chassis = Mercedes-Benz O405}}
The Optare Prisma was a single-decker bus body that was fitted to the Mercedes-Benz O405 chassis, produced between 1995 and 1998, when it was discontinued in favour of the integral Optare Excel low-floor bus.
Design
The Optare Prisma body was constructed on the O405 chassis with an OM447H {{convert|157|kW|hp|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} engine, and was built with Alusuisse aluminium framework, retaining a Mercedes-Benz built front cowl and destination display as standard. The sides and back end of the body, however, followed the styling of other Optare products at that time, such as the Delta and Vecta.{{cite magazine |last=Millier |first=Noel |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/30th-march-1995/13/mat-underframed-prisma |title=Merc underframed Prisma |magazine=Commercial Motor |volume=182 |issue=4613 |location=Sutton |publisher=Reed Business Publishing |page=13 |date=30 March 1995 |access-date=8 January 2021}} The Prisma was also designed with the ability to have equipment for use on a guided busway fitted,{{cite magazine |last=Jones |first=Stuart |url=https://archive.org/details/buscoachbuyer-issue298/page/12/mode/2up |date=17 March 1995 |issue=298 |pages=12–14 |title=Prisma: New joint venture city bus from Optare and Mercedes Benz |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |access-date=1 May 2024}} with a demonstrator operated by Stagecoach Busways in 1996 being fitted with an AEG electronic guidance system.{{cite magazine |last=Morgan |first=Mike |date=17 June 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue226/page/n10/mode/1up |title=Drive by wire |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=226 |page=11 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=1 May 2024}}
Capable of seating up to 54 passengers, to meet Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DiPTAC) accessibility recommendations, the Prisma has a {{convert|320|mm}} step at the entrance door, capable of being reduced to {{convert|240|mm}} with a kneeling front air suspension. The passenger compartment could be optioned with three further low steps towards the rear of the bus or a ramped floor towards the rear. Gasket-glazed tinted side windows were fitted as standard.
Operators
The most popular operator of Optare Prismas was the GRT Group, who took delivery of a total of 35 Prismas for its main Grampian Regional Transport subsidiary between 1995 and 1997, the first ten of which were equipped with double-glazed windows and air-conditing,{{cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Mark |date=13 January 1996 |title=End of the line for FirstBus' air-con |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=200 |page=12 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap}} as well as ten for its SMT "Diamond" services in Edinburgh, and ten for the Leicester Citybus subsidiary.{{cite magazine |date=16 December 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue198/page/n22/mode/1up |title=SMT running 10 Prismas |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=198 |page=23 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=1 May 2024}} After the company had rebranded to FirstBus, subsidiaries First Midland Bluebird and Lowland took further deliveries of Prismas.{{cite magazine |date=11 October 1996 |issue=379 |page=6 |title=FirstBus order more Optare Prismas |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Ltd}}
Another large operator was North East Bus subsidiary Tees & District, who took delivery of 25 Prismas in late 1995, followed by East Yorkshire Motor Services, who took delivery of 16 Prismas between 1996 and 1998;{{cite magazine |date=27 July 1996 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue228/page/n37/mode/1up |title=First single deckers of '96 |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=228 |page=28 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=22 August 2024}}{{cite magazine |last=Brown |first=Stewart J. |title=EYMS Group - Traditional values |magazine=Buses Focus |issue=21 |page=19 |location=Hersham |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |date=Winter 2001–2002 |quote=Previous big single-deckers were 16 Mercedes-Benz 0405s with Optare Prisma bodies, purchased between 1996 and 1998 and these have just been joined by a further three purchased from MacEwan of Dumfries.}} three delivered to the operator from stock in 1998 were the last Optare Primsas produced.{{cite magazine |last=Aldrige |first=John |url=https://archive.org/details/buses-issue527/page/19/mode/1up |title=Buses Profile: East Yorkshire Motor Services |magazine=Buses |issue=527 |pages=19–23 |location=Hersham |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |date=February 1999 |access-date=29 April 2024}} Smaller operators of Prismas included Sargeants of Kingston upon Thames, the first new full-size bus delivered to the company since World War II,{{cite magazine |date=1 July 1995 |title=First new full-size vehicles since war |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=174 |page=8 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap}} Black Prince Buses of Morley,{{cite magazine |date=30 March 1996 |title=Black Prince goes for quality |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=211 |pages=36–37 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap}} the Tillingbourne Bus Company of Cranleigh,{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/buscoachbuyer-issue434/page/26/mode/1up |date=7 November 1997 |issue=434 |page=26 |title=Tillingbourne Prismas |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Ltd |access-date=1 May 2024}} MacEwan of Dumfries, and Rhondda Buses.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Optare timeline}}