Optare Sigma
{{Short description|Step-entrance single-deck bus body on Dennis Lance chassis}}
{{for|the Mellor battery-electric bus range|Mellor Sigma}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox automobile
|name = Optare Sigma
|image = Atbus OL19.JPG
|caption = Atbus Optare Sigma bodied Dennis Lance in 2009
|manufacturer = Optare
|production = 1994 - 1996
|assembly = Cross Gates, Leeds, England
|capacity = 47-51 seated, 24 standing
|length = {{convert|11.8|m}}
|width = {{convert|2.5|m}}
|height = {{convert|3.2|m}}
|weight = {{convert|16,800|kg}}
|floortype = Step entrance
|doors = 1-2
|chassis = Dennis Lance
|engine = Cummins C6T
|transmission = ZF Ecomat 4HP500
ZF Ecomat 5HP500{{cite magazine |last=Cole |first=Martin |url=https://archive.org/details/buscoachbuyer-issue251/page/40/mode/1up |date=15 April 1994 |title=Vehicle launch: Optare Sigma Dennis Lance |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |issue=251 |page=40 |location=Spalding |access-date=27 July 2024}}
|related = Optare Vecta
Optare Spectra
|predecessor =
|successor = Optare Excel
Optare Prisma
}}
The Optare Sigma was a step-entrance single-deck bus body manufactured by Optare between 1994 and 1996 on the Dennis Lance chassis.
Design
Launched in April 1994, the full-size Sigma body was produced exclusively on the Dennis Lance chassis, beginning an effort by Optare to produce bodies for a more diverse range of chassis following the collapse of the United Bus manufacturing group. The Sigma body was constructed using the same Alusuisse bolted aluminium frame system used on the Vecta mid-size bus body, and the styling closely resembled the Vecta, albeit in longer form. Options included guide wheels for use on a guided busway, dual door configuration as well as a centre offside door for use on airport bus services.{{cite magazine |last= |first= |title=Daughters of Delta |magazine=Buses |issue=690 |page=38-40 |date=September 2012 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing}}{{cite magazine |title=DAF - Life after United |magazine=Buses |issue=467 |page=9 |date=February 1994 |location=Hersham |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing}}
The Sigma had a low entrance step height of {{convert|314|mm}}, with a second step taking passengers into a seating compartment with capacity for up to 51 seated passengers; the Sigma's seats were mounted on tracking floor rails, allowing for seating to configured to the individual needs of operators. Other interior features included options for luggage racks and air conditioning, as well as tinted side and rear windows.
Operators
Compared to the Vecta, a significantly smaller number of Optare Sigmas were produced. Only three operators bought the Sigma in large batches: the largest was Brighton & Hove, who took delivery of 20 Sigmas in 1996, while Trent Buses additionally took delivery of 17 Sigmas in late 1995.{{cite magazine |last=Jones|first=Stewart |date=3 May 1996 |issue=356 |pages=9–13 |title=Excel - Optare's low floor takes to the road |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited |quote=Among recent deliveries have been seven Deltas to Reading Buses, eight Vectas to Westlink, Prismas to Grampian and Rhondda, and Sigmas to Trent and the Brighton & Hove subsidiary of the Go Ahead group which is in the process of taking a batch of 20.}}{{cite book|last=Jenkison|first1=Keith|title=The History of Optare|date=2020|publisher=Amberley Publishing|location=Stroud|isbn=978-1445696942}}{{page needed|date=July 2024}} Gateshead & District took delivery of 14 Sigmas in 1994 for use on services in Bishop Auckland competing with local independent OK Motor Services.{{cite magazine |last=Jarosz |first=Andrew |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue130/page/4/mode/1up |date=20 August 1994 |title=GAG and OK signal Auckland war end |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=130 |page=4 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=27 July 2024}}
Two other operators purchased single a Sigmas each. These were Ipswich Buses, who took delivery of the first production Sigma in 1994,{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue109/page/11/mode/1up |date=26 March 1994 |title=First Lances |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=109 |page=11 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=27 July 2024}} the only Sigma built to dual-door configuration, and Busways Travel Services, who took delivery of a Sigma later in 1994 for use on a Newcastle upon Tyne to Gateshead MetroCentre shuttle service.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}