Optare wins £8.1m bus contract

BUS manufacturer Optare has won an £8.1m contract to supply 65 buses to an East Midlands transport firm.

Lancashire-based Optare has been named as the preferred supplier to Nottingham bus operator Trent Barton for the next three years.

Under the terms of the deal Darwen and Leeds-based Optare will supply 39 full-size, single-deck Tempos, nine low-floor Versas – the group’s medium-sized bus – and 17 Solos, its smaller vehicle.

Commercial director Glenn Saint said: “Trent Barton is a market leader in the British bus operating scene, its innovative approach to vehicle design and passenger environment often leads to new concepts which are mimicked by others.”

He added: “For them to demonstrate their faith in Optare and our products for this long-term deal underlines the considerable standing Optare now has in the market.”