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 |