Contract Win

RNS Number : 8487L

Optare PLC

13 May 2010

 



Optare plc

("Optare" or the "Company")

Contract Win

Optare scoops Greater Manchester order for the latest concept in hybrid buses

Optare is pleased to announce it has won 100% of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority ("GMITA") order for 66 hybrid buses in the face of stiff competition. The order is worth £13 million.

It is the largest single order for hybrid buses so far to be placed with assistance from the Government's Green Bus Fund (the "Fund"), which encourages low emission bus use. GMITA has secured over £3 million from the Fund and £1.3m from other funders to assist in the purchase of the buses. 

The GMITA fleet will be made up of Optare Solo, Solo SR, Versa and Tempo models all featuring not only a diesel-electric hybrid system using ultra-capacitors but the advantages of Optare's Eco Drive system, which encourages optimal driver behaviour. The buses will also feature the latest telematics technology which combines a passenger counting device, real time information, CCTV and vehicle diagnostics into a single integrated system.

Optare CEO Jim Sumner said:  

"This order emphasises our significant lead in the design and production of low and zero emission buses. As well as our unique Eco Drive range of hybrids, Optare remains the only manufacturer to offer a fully electric-drive model, the Solo EV, as well as the only manufacturer of dual-fuel bio-methane buses.

When we launched Optare's Eco Drive programme last September we believed it would be a winner with operators seeking both low emissions and realistic costs. This order endorses that view and we anticipate being able to announce further orders for low carbon bus models in the near future, both from UK and export markets.

For further information, please contact:

Optare plc Jim Sumner - Chief Executive

Tel: [phone]

Cenkos Securities plc Stephen Keys/Camilla Hume

Tel: [phone]

 

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