The Optare Vecta was a step-entrance single-deck bus body manufactured by Optare between 1991 and 1997. It was built only on the MAN 11.190 chassis and was designed to fill the gap in the Optare range between the full-size Delta city bus body and the integral MetroRider minibus.
Optare Vecta at a glance
| Maker | Optare |
|---|---|
| Production | 1991–1997 |
| Chassis | MAN 11.190 only |
| Body | step-entrance single-deck |
| Frame | Alusuisse bolted aluminium |
| Design | by Optare; details shared with the Delta body |
| Front end | straight design later reused for the Spectra double-decker |
| Entrance step | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Largest operator | Teesside Motor Services, Tees & District and United: 51 buses |
| In London | Westlink, eight buses in 1995 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Vecta.
History of the Optare Vecta
Launched in 1991, the medium-length Vecta was designed by Optare to fill a gap in its product lineup between the Delta full-size city bus body on the DAF SB220 chassis and the integral MetroRider minibus. It was based exclusively on the MAN 11.190 chassis, the first time this chassis had been built with a bus body for the UK market. The body was constructed with an Alusuisse bolted aluminium frame and shared design elements from the Delta, including rounded windows, rear panels and a separately mounted destination display, but it had a straight front end that was later reused for Optare’s Spectra double-decker.
Because smaller-than-average wheels were fitted to the MAN chassis, the Vecta had a low entrance step height of 295 millimetres (11.6 in). Two 195 millimetres gangway steps led to the first five rows of interior seats, followed by another step that took passengers to the next four rows. Options for the interior included carpet trim on the roof and walls, luggage racks and high-backed seats.
The largest operator of Optare Vectas were the North East Bus companies Teesside Motor Services, Tees & District and United, which took delivery of a total of 51 between 1992 and 1994. The first two production Vectas went to Teesside Motor Services in early 1992. Trent Buses took 15 in late 1994, Reading Buses bought five in 1993 and nine more between 1994 and 1996, and London United subsidiary Westlink, the only major London operator of the type, took eight in mid-1995.
The remaining majority of customers were small independent bus and coach operators across the United Kingdom. Hutchison’s of Overtown bought seven new Vectas and two former demonstrators between 1993 and 1996, West Coast Motors took a single example in 1992, and the Tillingbourne Bus Company received the final four Vectas produced in 1997.
Design and features
- MAN chassis only: the Vecta was never offered on any other chassis.
- Low entrance: small wheels on the MAN chassis brought the step down to 295 mm.
- Bolted aluminium frame: Alusuisse construction shared with the Delta body.
- Optare family look: rounded windows and rear panels from the Delta, with a straight front end.
- Interior options: carpet trim, luggage racks and high-backed seats.
Optare Vecta versions
- Standard Vecta (1991–1997): the single-deck body on the MAN 11.190 chassis.
- Interior option packs: carpet trim, luggage racks and high-backed seats.
- Demonstrators: two ex-demonstrator Vectas were later bought by Hutchison’s of Overtown.
The Vecta sat between the MetroRider minibus and Optare’s full-size city buses, and it was the model the Solo eventually replaced in the range. More buses are in the Optare collection.
Video: Arriva North East Optare Vecta L551GHN
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Optare Vecta, English Wikipedia: design, chassis, operators
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