The Optare MetroRider is a midibus that was manufactured by Optare between 1989 and 2000. Optare based the original design on the MCW Metrorider after it bought the rights from Metro Cammell Weymann, which had decided to cease production.
Optare MetroRider at a glance
| Maker | Optare |
|---|---|
| Production | 1989–2000 |
| Type | midibus |
| Origin | design based on the MCW Metrorider |
| Launched | November 1989 |
| Construction | integral, chassis and body as one structure |
| Built | 1,159 |
| Successor | Optare Solo, 2000 |
| Electric version | four buses, Oxford, 1993 |
| Natural gas version | two buses for Stagecoach Cambus, 1996 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the MetroRider.
History of the Optare MetroRider
Optare based the original design on the MCW Metrorider after it bought the rights to the vehicle from Metro Cammell Weymann, which had decided to cease production. The MetroRider was launched in November 1989, and 1,159 were produced before it was succeeded by the Optare Solo in 2000.
The MetroRider was an integral bus, with the chassis and body constructed as a single structure. It was also sold abroad in kit form, in countries such as Malaysia.
An electric version 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, and were later used on Jersey and Islay.
A natural gas version followed in 1996: two MetroRiders were produced for Stagecoach Cambus in Cambridge, powered by a dedicated compressed natural gas engine developed by Cummins.
Design and features
- Integral construction: chassis and body built as a single structure.
- Bought-in design: developed from the MCW Metrorider after Optare acquired the rights.
- Kit form exports: sold abroad as kits, including to Malaysia.
- Alternative fuels: electric buses in 1993 and compressed natural gas in 1996.
Optare MetroRider versions
- Standard MetroRider (1989–2000): the diesel midibus, 1,159 built in total.
- Electric MetroRider (1993): four buses for a city centre circular service in Oxford, later used on Jersey and Islay.
- Natural gas MetroRider (1996): two buses for Stagecoach Cambus with a dedicated Cummins CNG engine.
- Kit-form MetroRider: vehicles sold abroad in kit form, for example in Malaysia.
The MetroRider was replaced by the Solo in 2000, and it sat below the larger Vecta in the Optare range. More buses are in the Optare collection.
Video: PeoplesBus R437 NFR
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Optare MetroRider, English Wikipedia: history, production, electric and gas versions
