Single-deck Optare on the way
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• Leeds-based bodybuilder Optare has confirmed that it will launch its long-awaited single-deck bus body before the end of April, and that production models will be available by the end of the summer — but it is not saying which chassis manufacturer will be the first to fit it.
The Optare body is rumoured to be a low-floor design which could make it suitable for Dafs rear engined SB220 underframe (11-17 February, CM), but Optare might still opt for a more con ventional rear-engined chassis from Scania, or even the midengined Leyland Tiger or Volvo BlOM. The Optare body is expected to be similar to the ElectroBus single-deck trolley bus design prepared by the company for West Yorkshire PTA.
When Optare's single-decker is launched it will be direct competition with Leyland's Lynx, Duple's 300 Series, Plaxton's Derwent and the Alexander P-Type bus body.