Solo is New Zealand bound – again!
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Client: OptareDate: 26th Jul 10
Successful operation of four Solo SlimLine midibuses by
The new bus will join the other four on a network of city centre services in Rotorua, which is located in the centre of
Company owner Dave Reesby says that he has been very pleased with the performance of the four delivered in mid 2008, which together have now covered almost half a million miles.
“We chose the Solo because of Optare’s experience in designing and building low floor buses,” says Dave. “The SlimLine Solo in particular meets our needs in a number of ways. Its low weight results in a lower road user charge, as in
“Reliability has proved very satisfactory too, with only minor problems. And when we get dings, as is inevitable on city centre services, our workshop staff find that panel replacement is quick and easy. The Solo is straightforward to service and although we maintain a high level of parts in-house, availability from the
Dave says that Solo has proved popular with both his drivers and with passengers. “Drivers like the performance with plenty of power to cope with the hilly terrain. Visibility is good and the narrow width of the SlimLine version suits the route conditions well. They find that the heating system is excellent and the air conditioning is a real boon in the summer.
“During the middle of the day we carry many elderly passengers whose mobility is reduced or who are in wheelchairs, along with mothers and toddlers with their buggies. Here the Solo’s full-width door, low entry height, simple manual wheelchair ramp that’s quick and easy to place, and the flat floor leading directly to the wheelchair/buggy bay are all features which are very much appreciated.”
Like the previous four, the new Solo is the 8.8 metre model and is 2.33 metres wide. It has 25 fixed Esteban Civic VO seats and three tip-ups, plus ample space for standing passengers at peak times. Mobitec LED destination and route number equipment is fitted with displays to the front, nearside and rear.
Power is from the Mercedes-Benz OM904LA four-cylinder engine rated at 115 kW (154 bhp) at 2200 rpm and which is Euro 5 emissions compliant. The transmission is the Allison 2100 Series five-speed automatic which incorporates a lock-up torque converter to contribute to fuel economy.
Dave Reesby first began bus operations in the early 1970s providing school services for the rural communities and transport for construction workers on the Tongariro hydro-electric power project. In 1980 he started Reesby Coachlines (now Reesby Buses) based in Rotorua and which now has depots at
For further information please contact:
David Rowlands, Automotive PR t: +44 (0)20 7494 8050
e: drowlands@automotivepr.com
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