30972-4
The Optare MetroCity is an integral midibus manufactured by Optare since 2013. Originally aimed at the London market, the MetroCity is based on the existing Optare Versa, which continues to be produced separately. In the UK market, longer variants of the MetroCity have replaced the Optare Tempo SR. The first prototype was delivered to London United. The MetroCity is available in five lengths, with the V990MC, V1010MC, V1060MC, V1080MC and V1152MC models measuring 9.9m, 10.1m, 10.6m, 10.8m and 11.52m long respectively. The shorter models were designed to replace the Optare Solo SR in London, while the longer models were to replace the Optare Versa and Optare Tempo SR in the London market. Although the Solo SR and Versa remain in production, the Tempo SR has now been entirely discontinued in the UK market with the introduction of the MetroCity due to poor sale. In 2016 whilst Central Buses’ was associated with a number of other bus companies part owned by Julian Peddle a bulk order was placed for MetroCity vehicles with examples entering the Central Buses, Centrebus and D&G Buses fleets. Three entered the Central Buses fleet for use on the 125 bus route from Stourbridge to Bridgnorth via Kidderminster. When Diamond Bus took over Central Buses in February 2018 the vehicles entered their fleet and still do operate the service 125 as well as other Kidderminster area bus services. As new Sreetlite vehicles entered the fleet the vehicles moved onto other services operated by Kidderminster Garage. On Tuesday 26th September 2022 30972 and 30974 were transferred to the Burton on Trent Garage to join the sister vehicles that had joined the fleet from Midland Classic. 30973 soon followed.
Registration Number | Fleet Number | Vehicle Type | Seating Capacity |
Current Allocation |
YJ16DDL | 30972 | Optare Metrocity V1080MC SAB4HD2A6GS400101 | B40F | Burton on Trent |
YJ16DDN | 30973 | Optare Metrocity V1080MC SAB4HD2A6GS400102 | B40F | Burton on Trent |
YJ16DDO | 30974 | Optare Metrocity V1080MC SAB4HD2A6GS400108 | B40F | Burton on Trent |
30993-6
With the purchase of the Midland Classic fleet and operation four further Optare MetroCity joined the Diamond Bus fleet at Burton on Trent. These vehicles had been acquired as part of a package deal for companies which Julian Peddle had some sort of financial interest in at the time. Apart from renumbering the vehicles into the standard Rotala vehicle numbering scheme the vehicles have carried on operating from the Burton on Trent garage mainly on the 9 service from Burton on Trent to East Midlands Airport which the vehicles are branded as Airways. It remains to be scène if the vehicles retain their branding when they are painted in Diamond Bus livery.
Registration Number | Fleet Number | Vehicle Type | Seating Capacity |
Current Allocation |
YJ66APK | 30993 | Optare Metrocity V1080MC SAB4HD2AXGS400120 | B39F | Burton on Trent |
YJ66APF | 30994 | Optare Metrocity V1080MC SAB4HD2AXGS400119 | B39F | Burton on Trent |
YJ66AOZ | 30995 | Optare Metrocity V1080MC SAB4HD2AXGS400118 | B39F | Burton on Trent |
YJ66AOY | 30996 | Optare Metrocity V1080MC SAB4HD2AXGS400117 | B39F | Burton on Trent |